Most homeowners regularly rely on their clothes dryer. Without proper maintenance, however, dryer vents can become clogged and cause over 15,000 residential fires each year in the United States alone. For this reason, it’s important to use your dryer wisely and clean its vents regularly. Through proper dryer vent maintenance, you help the equipment to last long and run efficiently.
Batts’ Chimney Services shares these common dryer usage and dryer vent cleaning mistakes that you should avoid.
Drying Unnecessary Items
Before putting clothes in your dryer, you should first check and remove everything from the pockets. Plastic, rubber and foam materials can lead to dangerous fires when left in the dryer. Pens can also leak onto clothes, while metal objects such as paper clips can damage the inside of the dryer. If you’re unsure whether drying a certain item is safe or not, it’s best to lean on the side of caution and avoid it.
Ignoring the Dryer Vent Pipe
Leaving lint in the dryer can lead to a multitude of issues. For instance, lint slows down the drying process, lowering the efficiency of your appliance. Also, lint buildup affects airflow and causes the dryer to overheat, which can increase the risk of a fire. To prevent this from happening, don’t forget to check your dryer vent pipe for lint. For best results, have your pipes cleaned every six to 12 months.
Overlooking Moisture Sensors
If your dryer has a moisture sensor, it’s a good idea to clean it while working on the vent. While it has nothing to do with your actual vent, keeping it clean can help your dryer function more efficiently. The sensor is a thin metal bar that is usually located right below the dryer door. To ensure the sensor does its job properly, remove the lint, dryer-sheet chemicals and other dirty areas using a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol.
Forgetting to Clean the Dryer Vent
Cleaning your dryer vent is one chore you shouldn’t delay. Many experts recommend cleaning your dryer vent at least once a year. If you use your machine a lot, you may have to clean it more frequently for optimal results. Otherwise, you risk the health of your dryer. To properly clean your dryer vent, be sure to check for cracks or tears in the dryer duct. If there are any, contact a professional right away to have it repaired.
Look no further than Batts’ Chimney Services for your dryer vent cleaning needs. With our Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® (C-DET), you can rest assured that your dryer is in good hands. Call us at (205) 956-8207 (Greater Birmingham Area) or (256) 660-1338 (Northern Alabama). You can also fill out our online contact form to book an appointment.
