Cleaning your dryer
If your dryer doesn’t seem to be working optimally, if there’s a smell like something’s burning or if it feels like your laundry room is getting hot and steamy whenever the dryer is on, it’s probably time to clean your dryer vents. Are you unfamiliar with this type of cleaning? It’s recommended to clean your dryer vents about once every three years. A professional cleaning is your best option, as it will help detect any irregularities in the vents.
How a dryer works
The way a clothes dryer works is simple: it draws air from your home, heats it and dries your clothing in a rotating drum. The used warm air is then vented through a duct that leads to the outside of your home. During the process, your laundry sheds a lot of fibers, creating that familiar fuzz you have to remove from your lint trap every time your dryer finishes drying a load. A certain amount of lint also gets blown outside, and the particles often end up sticking to the walls of the ventilation duct.
Dryer inspection, cleaning and repair
Professional dryer vent cleaning uses high-pressure air to help dislodge the lint from the duct. First of all, the use of a camera helps detect any irregularities in the vent, such as a crimped duct, a clog, a duct that has been screwed in instead of being attached with a strip of duct tape, the presence of vermin or a malfunction in the exterior hatch. An improperly attached duct causes the warm, moist air to make its way into the walls of your home, which can lead to mold and mildew. A clog impedes the air from venting. As a result, it ends up in your laundry room. The exterior hatch must be equipped with a check valve (or non-return valve) to prevent the cold air outside from entering your home. And a grille near the hatch keeps out any vermin.
Cleaning your dryer vent is just as important as inspecting the components. That’s why it’s recommended to have the inspection done by a professional that can then perform the cleaning. The advantages are numerous. In fact, the dryer is one of the elements in a home that consumes the most electricity per year. If its operation is hindered by a clogged vent, it will take even more energy to dry your clothing.
For further information on inspecting and cleaning your dryer vent, don’t hesitate to give Nettoyeur de la Cité a call. We’ll be happy to give you all the advice you need.
