old appliances sitting outside

The Top 3 Dangers of A Dirty Dryer Vent

Photo by Zachary Keimig on Unsplash

Do you remember the last time you checked out that dryer vent?

After numerous loads of laundry, a lot of stuff can stick around on the inside.

Over the years, your vents get packed with lint and other debris. When it gets too full you may start to notice that it takes longer to dry your clothes and see increases in your utility bills. Not only that, a dirty dryer vent can present a number of dangers.

Here at the top 3 dangers that come with a dirty dryer vent that can be avoided with a cleaning by Lint Lizards Services:

Dryer Fires

out of control fire

Photo by Christopher Burns on Unsplash

The most serious danger of a dirty dryer vent is the chance of fire. A clogged or obstructed vent means your dryer has to work harder to do its job. This extra effort can result in your dryer overheating, and if it gets too hot, it can lead to a deadly dryer fire.

In fact, the National Fire Protection Association states there were 15,970 house fires between 2010 and 2014 that involved clothing dryers or washing machines. These fires caused $238 million in property damage, while killing 13 people and injuring 444.

The excess of lint or debris in your dryer vents can also lead to a buildup of exhaust gas that’ll do nothing but add fuel to the flames, allowing the fire to grow quickly out of control.

Simply put, dryer fires can easily spread into your dryer vents and walls before spiraling into a full-blown house fire.

Poor Air Quality

clouds

Photo by Jason Blackeye on Unsplash

A properly functioning dryer vent is designed to send all the moist air from the dryer to the outside. However, if it is clogged or obstructed, it could be sending that dirty air back into your home.

This can significantly decrease the quality of the air that you and your family are breathing in. This dirty, moist air could also leech into your walls and increase the chances of growing mold, possibly leading to respiratory infections for you or your family members, not to mention massive mold remediation expenses.

Pest Infestations

mouse

Photo by Zdeněk Macháček on Unsplash

Mice, rats, snakes and other pests will be attracted to your dryer vent because of the shelter and warmth it can provide. If your dryer vent is exposed to the outdoors, you can count on little critters taking up residence in your vents. Especially during chilly nights.

A clogged dryer vent, with its excess of lint and debris, also gives these pests all the materials they need to set up a nest and establish a permanent residency.

If you’re wondering if a clogged dryer vent may be welcoming pests into your home, book an appointment with Lint Lizards Services to inspect and clean your dryer vents.

It might be a chore that’s low on your to-do list, but a dirty dryer vent can lead to serious problems if it doesn’t get cleaned regularly. Whether that be pests, damp laundry, or house fires, your dryer vent is not something you should neglect.

A certified Lint Lizards Service technician will be happy take the hassle out of cleaning your dryer vent, and you can rest assured it’ll be a job well done.

Contact us today for an appointment.