When your dryer is working properly, it’s a godsend on cold winter days. The ability to quickly and efficiently dry your clothes after washing them is an incredible convenience that most of us take for granted. However, if you use your dryer frequently or live in a humid climate, the lint filter in your unit probably needs cleaning. When you ignore this warning sign, you risk the potential for several problems down the road. Letting lint build up in your dryer causes the exhaust system to clog which can result in improper ventilation within the structure. This can cause carbon monoxide to build up inside of your home, posing an explosion risk and could lead to fire if left unaddressed long enough. Keep reading to learn about some of the benefits of having your dryer duct cleaned today!
Reduce the Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
A clogged dryer exhaust duct can lead to partial or complete blockage of the exhaust pipe connected to your home. This is dangerous because it prevents the proper flow of air out of your home, which can lead to elevated carbon monoxide levels. And since the dryer is an enclosed space, it’s difficult to detect high CO levels unless there are obvious signs of a problem. If CO levels inside your house are high enough, it could result in respiratory issues, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and more. Luckily, you can reduce the risk of CO poisoning by having your dryer duct cleaned regularly. Even if your ducts are relatively clean, frequent usage can easily cause lint buildup in the ductwork. While it’s true that CO could potentially leak into your house through a faulty furnace, the National Fire Protection Association estimates that CO causes more than 15,000 house fires every year. The most common causes of CO buildup are due to faulty appliances, water damage, and improperly vented dryers. And it’s important to note that CO is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. So you may not even realize that the gas is leaking into your home until the symptoms of poisoning become severe.
Dryer Fires
Another common issue that can occur if your dryer duct cleaning is regular is a fire. Lint buildup can cause the exhaust duct to catch fire if it builds up enough heat. If the duct runs through an insulated space, a wall, or above the ceiling, it could even melt the insulation and cause a fire in the wall or ceiling. If the duct runs through an unheated area, such as a garage or outside, it can quickly accumulate heat. This can lead to a fiery buildup, which can then ignite nearby combustible materials and result in a fire. If lint is allowed to build up in the exhaust duct of a clothes dryer, the duct could overheat and catch on fire, which could then spread to the rest of the house. Clothes dryers need to be vented to the outside of the house, which is why lint buildup needs to be cleaned regularly.
Prolong the Lifespan of Your Dryer
The inside of your dryer gets incredibly hot and stays at a high temperature for a long period of time after a cycle ends. This can severely damage the internal components if the lint filter is full of fabric fuzz and lint. In fact, a clogged filter can cause your dryer to overheat and could even potentially catch on fire. By having your ducts cleaned, you can significantly decrease the risk of damage to your unit. However, you should also look at this as an opportunity to upgrade the components inside your dryer. If your dryer is more than 10 years old, it can be useful to have it serviced. A technician can inspect the entire unit and replace any broken or worn parts. This can help your dryer to last significantly longer and will likely be cheaper than purchasing a new unit.
Protect the Environment
Another great reason to have your dryer duct cleaned regularly is to protect the environment. The lint that collects in the duct could easily catch fire and cause significant damage to the surrounding area, including your home and nearby trees. This can pose a significant risk to the environment and inhabitants of the area. Shedding clothes naturally attract a significant amount of lint and other materials. This lint can then be transferred to your dryer during the drying process. If it is not properly cleaned out, it can easily collect inside the dryer duct and cause a buildup that poses a serious fire risk. To prevent this, you should have your ducts cleaned at least once per year. However, it’s best to clean the dryer duct more often if you use your dryer frequently.