The clothes dryer is an essential part of our lives. It can be found in almost every household across the country as it has become part of the standard way of taking care of the laundry. But to ensure that the dryer keeps drying efficiently, you’ll need to keep the vent clean. While a professional inspection and cleaning will be needed, it also helps to know how you can keep the lint from building up and clogging the vents. Our dryer vent experts at Batts’ Chimney Services share some insights:
Common Factors That Lead to Excessive Dryer Lint Buildup
You know your dryer vent is clogged with too much lint if heavy clothes such as blue jeans and towels are taking a long time to dry. Also, the clothes feel hotter than usual at the end of the drying cycle. It pays to address the situation as soon as possible — dryer lint is a highly combustible material, which can easily increase the chances of a house fire.
Some of the most common factors that contribute to excessive dryer lint buildup include the following:
- Compromised Transition Hose – Also known as transition ducts, these flexible hoses are installed behind walls and beneath floors. Clogging caused by lint buildup can happen more often if the hose is crushed between the dryer and the wall, compromising airflow.
- Excessive Duct Piping – If your laundry room is near an outside wall, then the dryer vent won’t have that much piping and elbows to reach the outside. This means the lint gets out faster and you’re less likely to have clogging and buildup. But if your laundry area is placed farther away, it means your dryer vent is longer. Some of the lint may get caught on the ducts as the lint makes its way toward the exterior wall, which can lead to clogging problems over time.
Cleaning and Prevention
You may use a vacuum cleaner to suck out the lint from your dryer vent. This can also be done on the outside end as well if you have a handheld vacuum cleaner. But this won’t eliminate the buildup further into the vent, so you may need a professional to get the job done thoroughly. Once it’s clean, consider cleaning the lint trap filter regularly as well.
At Batts’ Chimney Services, you can count on us to “Keep it Safe. Keep it Clean.” We offer dryer vent cleaning services performed by a CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® (C-DET). Call us at (205) 956-8207 if you’re in Jefferson County or (256) 660-1338 if you live in Northeast Alabama. You can also fill out our online contact form to schedule an appointment.
