The House Manager | Dryer Vent Cleaning

If you keep getting damp clothes even after a full drying cycle, or you notice that the outside of the unit is very hot while it’s running, you may need to clean out your vents and ducts. Dryer vent cleaning is not only important for your clothes and your time, but it can also give you more peace of mind. Lint can accumulate in these ducts over time and can mix with hot air, which can ignite and cause a fire hazard. Dryer duct fires cause $35 million in damages every single year. Not to mention, the hundreds of injuries and deaths that can result from these fires. If you ever notice a burning stench in your laundry room, it would be a clear indication that it’s time to clean your dryer vents.

Why You Should Clean Your Dryer Vent

Most people think that cleaning the lint trap after every drying cycle is enough to keep all the lint and debris out of their dryer vent system. And while doing this is always a good idea, nothing could be further from the truth. Lint is small enough to make it through even the finest mesh of your lint trap, and enough can build up over time that it will start to cause problems with your dryer. Most people don’t realize that they need to keep their dryer vent clean. But according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are approximately 15,500 fires every single year. Clogged dryer vents can be dangerous to you and your home. In fact, many fires are caused by clogged dryer vents that haven’t been properly maintained.

Fires can be caused by lint that builds up in the dryer or exhaust duct. It can block the flow of air, which can cause excessive buildup and can lead to a fire inside and around your dryer. The reduced airflow from lint accumulation can create an ideal environment for fires to start, because it’s extremely combustible and is the main cause of dryer fires. The combination of clogged dryer vents and combustible lint is dangerous and needs to be immediately addressed.

According to the US Fire Administration (USFA), there are 2,900 reported home clothes dryer fires being reported every single year. They also cause approximately 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. Approximately 34% of these fires are caused by dryer vents that haven’t been properly cleaned, which makes it the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires. And most of them happen during the fall and winter months, which peaks in January.

If you live in the Houston area and want to get your dryer vents cleaned by a professional, be sure to reach out to The House Manager.

Signs That Your Dryer Vent Needs Cleaning

Here are some of the signs that your dryer vent needs to be cleaned:

• Longer Drying Times — If it seems like it’s taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry, it may be because the dryer vents are dirty. But to rule out the washing machine, make sure they have been spun properly before you put them in the dryer.
• Odor Coming from the Dryer — If you notice a foul and persistent odor coming out of the dryer every time you open it, there’s a good chance that a bird has made a nest inside the dryer vent line. That’s why it’s a good idea to install a bird guard.
• Wet Clothes and Lint Screen — If the lint on the screen is damp and your clothes haven’t completely dried after running the dryer for an extended period of time, it’s a clear sign that your dryer vent is clogged.
• Lint Buildup at the Vent Exit — If you see lint buildup at the exit vent or if it’s bunched up around the bird guard, there’s a good chance your dryer vent is clogged.

If you see any of these signs or notice that your dryer isn’t operating as efficiently as it was before, you should consider using a dryer vent cleaning service in Houston to make sure the area is clear of any lint or debris. Doing so, will reduce your risk for fires and serious illnesses.

How Often You Should Clean Your Dryer Vent

Experts recommend you go through the dryer vent cleaning process at least twice a year. And while it’s a good idea to have a professional come in to do it for you, there are some things you can do yourself as part of your regular maintenance. Before you start, you need to determine if your dryer runs on gas or electricity. An electric dryer will have a grounded 240-volt electrical outlet. The plug will be larger than average and will have either three or four prongs. A gas-powered dryer will plug into a standard 110-volt outlet with three prongs and will connect to a gas valve. If your dryer runs on gas, you will need to turn off the supply valve before you start cleaning. You also need to be careful not to disturb the flexible gas line while you reposition the unit, but you need to make sure to call a professional if you don’t know what you’re doing.

If you want to find one of the best places for dryer vent cleaning in Houston, be sure to reach out to The House Manager.

How to Keep Your Dryer Vent Clean

Before you perform your own dryer vent cleaning in Houston, you will need the following items:

• Dryer vent cleaning kit.
• Power drill.
• Vacuum.
• Broom and dustpan.

Once you have everything you need, you can clean your dryer vent by performing the following steps:

• Find Your Vent — Before you can clean your dryer vent, you need to know where it is. Dryers are usually connected to a short exhaust pipe that’s about four inches in diameter, which is attached to some ductwork located inside a wall. Hot air coming from your dryer gets pushed through this pipe and escapes through a vent located on the exterior wall of your home. Once you have found it, check inside for any debris (including dust, lint, or dead bugs).
• Disconnect Your Dryer — Once you have looked at your duct work, you’re ready to unplug your dryer. Remove any metal tape of clamps that attach your dryer vent pipe to its exhaust. Make sure you apply gentle pressure as you pull the vent pipe from the wall duct, or you could damage the pipe.
• Vacuum the Lint — At this point, you should be able to get a good look at what’s inside your dryer vent from inside your laundry room (or nook). Use the hose attachment of your vacuum cleaner or shop vac to suck up any lint in and around the hole. If you have a handheld vacuum, you can use it to clean the exterior part of the duct. Otherwise, you can do it manually from the exterior part of the vent.
• Clean the Vent with a Brush — Attach the dryer brush from your vent cleaning kit to your power drill and insert the brush end of the rod into your duct. Push the brush in as far back as it will go, but you may need to move the hose attachment (depending on how your duct runs through your home). If you’re not able to move the brush through your entire duct system or won’t go that far, try inserting the brush head from the exterior part of the duct.
• Clean Up and Reconnect — At this point, you would have already cleared out a lot of the lint. You will need to use a vacuum cleaner or broom and dustpan to clear it out. Once you have finished, plug your dryer into the outlet and reconnect the wall duct. There is one catch, though. If your dryer uses a soft, foil-style vent to connect to the wall duct, you will need to replace it with something sturdier. A 90-degree, fire-resistant aluminum elbow will be enough and will give you plenty of airflow.

Once you turn on the dryer, the air should flow more smoothly out of the vent (which will make it run more efficiently). That way, you won’t have to worry about wet clothes and longer drying times.

How You Can Reduce the Amount of Lint Buildup

Aside from regular dryer vent cleaning, another way to reduce the amount of lint buildup is to take out the lint trap filter located at the outer edge of your dryer door and remove the lint before every cycle. It’s fast, easy, and will help with your dryer’s performance. You also want to vacuum the lint screen on a regular basis, depending on how often you use it. Dryer sheets can leave a residue on the lint screen, which can build up over time. If it gets clogged, use a scrub brush to wash it in warm, soapy water. Then, rinse it with clean water and dry it off with a towel.

It’s important to remove lint on a regular basis to keep it from building up. It will also protect your home from house fires. The buildup of lint won’t just catch fire. But if a fire were to start from some other source, the lint will give it fuel (which will cause it to grow). Dryer vent cleaning will not only keep your home safe but will also keep your dryer working efficiently. Even if a clogged dryer isn’t a fire hazard, it can still lead to higher energy bills because of longer drying times for your everyday laundry. Cleaning your dryer vent on a regular basis won’t just protect your home. It will also save you money and will make your clothes look better.

Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning in Houston, TX

A dirty dryer vent can be dangerous to you, your health, and your home. That’s why you need to clean it on a regular basis. By using a dryer vent cleaning service in Houston at least once a year, you will improve air flow in your dryer and will make your home safer. Your home’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is important, which is why having good ventilation in and around your home is critical. And for many people, the dryer can be a source of contention, confusion, and contagion. While the dangers of poor ventilation are obvious, dryer vents are often overlooked as the cause of longer drying times. That’s why you need to hire a Houston dryer vent cleaning professional to take care of these kinds of issues.

Most people know that a clogged dryer vent can affect their dryer’s efficiency, but few of them know that it can be a major cause for mold growth. Most dryers use the moisture in washed clothes to generate heat, and a clogged dryer vent can cause mold to grow in the trapped lint (which will accelerate as it’s exposed to the constant heat of the dryer). Like in many other areas of your home, mold and microbes in your dryer vent can cause respiratory ailments and other health problems. You should not, of course, forget about the potential fire hazard. Structure fires can be devastating, and even the smallest amount of damage can take a huge emotional toll on you and your family.

If you need to find a place that offers professional dryer vent cleaning in Houston, the House Manager has what you need. Our technicians will take the time to inspect your dryer vent and will give you an estimate for our service based on what we find. We will disconnect your dryer before using special equipment to dislodge and remove the lint that’s clogging your dryer vent. We will also clean any microbes inside your dryer ventilation system and dryer pipe. If we find mold, we will perform the necessary sanitation procedure to clear out any potential health hazards.

Regular dryer vent cleaning in Houston can make a huge difference in your home’s safety and efficiency. Not only can it protect your clothes and lower your energy costs, but it can also reduce your risk for health and fire hazards. If you’re ready to hire a professional for dryer vent cleaning in Houston, TX, be sure to get in touch with us. We’re always there to answer any questions you may have, and we would be happy to speak with you about your needs.