Lint You Remove From Your Dryer is Nothing Compared to Inside the Vent!

Your dryer removes whatever doesn’t get rinsed off during the washing process. Think about all the lint you remove from the inside lint screen each time you use your dryer (you do this, right?). Imagine how much of it gets blown into the vent, year after year. You may be surprised by how much dust, lint, and lots of other debris is commonly found inside dryer ventilation pathways. It’s the result of all the stuff that gets blown off clothing, blankets, pet pillows and other items you’ve put through the laundry.

Matthew Steger, an ASHI Certified Home Inspector who is also a certified thermographer, notes that up to one gallon of water vapor can be drawn out during a normal drying cycle. This vapor and lint travels through the dryer vent to the outside the home. When vents get clogged with lint, it’s more difficult for air and vapor to escape.

Metro Duct Cleaners cleans clogged dryer vents in homes. This service can help homeowners get better performance from their dryers, reduce their electricity bills, and lessen the chance of house fires. The U.S. Fire Administration (part of FEMA) cites that there are 2900 home clothes dryer fires every year resulting in an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. And the leading cause: failure to clean them.

Many Homes Have Dryer Vent Screens to Keep the Critters Outside

In addition, many houses have screens in place to keep little visitors from getting inside dryer vent exits. Over time, lint will eventually build up, blocking the exit and backing up lint into the vent. Professional vent cleaning takes care of cleaning these screens as well.

Your Home Vacuum WILL NOT Thoroughly Clean the Dryer Vents

While we encourage customers to regularly vacuum behind and over the back of appliances, the fact is that home vacuums—and most shop vacuums, too—aren’t strong enough or can’t reach far enough to thoroughly clean vents all the way through.

Think about how long that venting route is from your dryer to the outside of your home. It’s probably at least 15 feet, and maybe as long as 25 feet! In some homes, the vent path literally goes through the roof.

Home Inspectors Look at Ventilation Systems

If you plan to put your home on the market, do yourself or your clients a favor and get the dryer vent professionally cleaned.

According to the ASHI Reporter, the news service for the American Society of Home Inspectors, lack of servicing for dryer, air conditioning, and furnace vents is one of the 10 most common inspection problems its members encounter.

If you can’t recall the last time someone looked into your dryer vents, it’s probably time to get them cleaned. Contact Metro Duct Cleaners today to schedule a thorough and professional cleaning for your dryer vent.