Dryer Vent Cleaning Is No Joke: Hire Owens Chimney for Dryer Services in Charlotte, NC
Dryer vent cleaning… is it really a must-do service for a homeowner? Believe it or not, dryer vents are now considered to be more of a fire hazard than chimneys. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an alert due to the fact that there are 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and 310 injuries from dryer exhaust fires annually. This is due to dryers being clogged with lint – one of the most flammable substances in your home!
If you’re looking for dryer vent cleaning services near Charlotte, NC, we are happy to complete this service when we come out for your annual chimney cleaning. Doing the annual chimney system inspection at the same time is a great way to ensure everything is off your to-do list for the year! Call or schedule online today.
What Is a Dryer Vent?
A dryer vent is the tube or duct that connects your dryer to the outside of your home. Its purpose is to expel hot air and moisture generated by your dryer during the drying cycle.
Over time, lint and debris can accumulate in the vent, blocking airflow and causing your dryer to work harder and longer to dry your clothes. This not only increases your energy bills, but can also shorten the lifespan of your dryer, put a lot of wear on your clothing, and invite a lot of dangers to your household.
In addition, most people don’t realize that the plastic accordion-type connector is no longer considered acceptable. Optimally the connector should be rigid metal. The second choice would be a UL Listed metal flex-connector cut to the shortest length possible.
It is interesting to note that in a 4-inch vent it only takes 1/2 inch of lint to reduce the flow of air by almost 50%! This is extremely hard on a dryer and one more reason for getting the vents cleaned on your dryer.
How Often Should I Have My Dryer Vent Cleaned?
The frequency of dryer vent cleaning depends on several factors, including the size of your household, the number of loads of laundry you do each week, and the length of your dryer vent.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended to have your dryer vent cleaned at least once a year.
However, this can vary. For instance, if you have a larger household or do a lot of laundry, you may need to have your dryer vent cleaned more frequently. We suggest starting with two per year, after which your technician can make an assessment and either increase or decrease the number.
The Top 3 Reasons To Have Your Dryer Vents Cleaned
- Once cleaned, it will be less likely to ignite and start a fire. Lint and debris can accumulate in the dryer vent over time, creating a highly flammable environment. Once cleaned, the risk of lint ignition significantly decreases, minimizing the potential for a devastating dryer (or house) fire.
- Once cleaned, it should extend the life of your dryer. When lint and debris accumulate within the dryer’s components, it forces the machine to work harder to dry clothes. Over time, this added strain can lead to wear and tear on various parts of the dryer, potentially shortening its lifespan.
- Once cleaned, it will help you save energy because clothes will not take as long to dry. When the vent and lint trap are free of debris, air circulation improves, enabling the machine to dry clothes more efficiently. Without obstructions, hot air can circulate freely, reducing the drying time for each load. This efficiency translates into energy savings, as the dryer consumes less electricity or gas to complete its drying cycle.
When lint, dust, and other debris build up in your dryer vent, it restricts the airflow, causing your dryer to work harder than it needs to. Not only does this increase your energy bills, but it also puts your home at risk of experiencing a dryer fire. In fact, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are over 2,900 dryer fires reported each year, resulting in millions of dollars in property damage, hundreds of injuries, and multiple deaths.
BEFORE CLEANING
AFTER CLEANING
Signs That Your Dryer Vent Needs Cleaning
So, how do you know if your dryer vent needs cleaning? Here are some common signs to look out for:
- Clothes taking longer than usual to dry
- Clothes coming out of the dryer hotter than usual
- The dryer itself feeling hot to the touch
- A burning smell coming from the dryer
- Excessive lint buildup in the lint trap
- Debris or lint visible around the dryer vent outside your home
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to call in the professionals for a dryer vent cleaning. Reach out to the technicians at Owens Chimney by giving us a call or booking your appointment online.
Who Does Dryer Vent Cleanings?
There are several professionals who can perform dryer vent cleaning services, but chimney sweeps are already well-versed in venting and fire risks, so we’re always a good industry to turn to for the job. All said, though, it is important to choose a professional who is experienced and qualified to perform the task.
At Owens Chimney Systems, we have experience cleaning vents and can ensure that your dryer vent is free of lint and other debris.
How Are Dryer Vents Professionally Cleaned?
Here’s a general overview of the process you can expect from our team of sweeps.
- The dryer will be moved away from the wall (we may do a couple more diagnostics at this point).
- A vacuum that is blowing out will be attached to the vent.
- From the outside we will use rods that are quite flexible and will navigate several 90 degree turns. The drill action gives the rotation and spin to really scrub.
- Debris and lint is blown to the outside of the home
- Everything is picked up, leaving your yard clean
Whether it’s your chimney or dryer vents, we’ve got your back at Owens Chimney Systems!
Can I DIY Dryer Vent Cleaning?
While it is possible, it is highly recommended to have your dryer vent cleaned regularly by a certified and professional technician. DIY attempts can lead to property damage, increased risk of clogging, and a false (and dangerous) sense of security.
Here’s the full lowdown…
Most dryers in homes of the past had short, efficient runs out the basement window making maintenance easy for homeowners and renters. However, as more homes, condos, and apartment complexes have dryers installed on upper levels, dryers are located in areas with long concealed vent runs that can have several elbows – making maintenance something that the homeowner or renter can no longer easily do for themselves.
Many times, homeowners actually end up packing in lint clogs tighter, rather than removing them. This makes the risk of fire still remain, unbeknownst to the people living in the home. In addition, sometimes damage can occur to the vent, leaving the household vulnerable to gas leaks.
Long story short… This is a job that needs to be done right in order to fully offer peace of mind and efficient results from your dryer. Hire an expert – like us – to ensure just that. Call or schedule online now.
Dryer Vent Cleanings Bring Money Savings Too
Not only do dryer vent cleanings reduce fire risk and carbon monoxide risk, but they can also save you money in the short (and long) run. How so?
#1 Energy Savings
When dryer vents are clean and clear, your dryer can work quickly and efficiently. The faster and more efficient your dryer is, the quicker it can get the job done – which means you’ll save money on utilities because you won’t have to waste energy on multiple drying cycles.
#2 Appliance Savings
No matter what brand, size, or specific model you’re looking at, clothes dryers are costly! And buying a new clothes dryer isn’t exactly a fun expense. Most of us hope and pray our dryers last a long time, and they can…but only if they’re well-maintained and properly cared for.
When dryer vents are lint-logged, for instance, the dryer has to work harder and longer. And overworked, overheated clothes dryers need to be replaced before their time. Save yourself a trip to a big box store for a big expense by keeping those vents as clean as possible.
#3 Clothes Savings
Let’s face it: clothes that spend more time in the dryer at higher heat simply don’t last as long. Colors fade and clothes lose their shape – and that usually means you’ll be shopping for new clothes more frequently. But, by keeping your dryer vents clean on a regular basis, you can prolong the life of your clothes – and keep the shopping to a minimum.
See how much can this one small service save you in money and reduced fire risk? It’s clearly worth the investment each year, and when you work with an experienced team of professionals like Owens Chimney Systems to get it done, the whole process is a no-brainer. Schedule your annual dryer vent cleaning today by filling out this appointment request form.
How Much Does It Cost To Clean a Dryer Vent?
If you’ve spent any time looking through our various service pages, you’ve probably found that we don’t actually publish any of our pricing information on our website. Here at Owens Chimney Systems, we deeply value our relationships with each and every one of our customers and strongly believe that transparency is at the heart of it all.
Now, because we serve such a wide range of homeowners in the Charlotte area, and each one has a slightly different setup (with regard to both chimneys and dryers), it is just not feasible – or even possible, really – to provide an expected cost range that would apply to everyone. We never wish to confidently display information that could potentially mislead someone.
However, we’re always more than willing to discuss approximate quotes and estimate expectations once we know a little bit more about your appliance and its setup. To learn more about the pricing of a professional dryer vent cleaning for your home, all you have to do is get in touch with someone from our team.
At Owens Chimney, we only hire the most knowledgeable and friendly people to join our team, so you can trust you’re in good hands when you reach out to get a bit more information. We’re here to help in any (and every) way we possibly can!
Don’t DIY Your Dryer Vent Cleaning – Call On Us
While it may be tempting to clean your dryer vent yourself, it’s not recommended. DIY dryer vent cleaning can be dangerous and can actually make the problem worse if not done correctly. Professional dryer vent cleaning, on the other hand, is safe, effective, and ensures that your dryer vent is cleaned properly.
Not only do our technicians know what to do, but the team here at Owens performs every job with the highest levels of integrity, reducing fire hazards and doing everything possible to avoid a potential disaster.
Don’t forget about your annual chimney sweeping! Call our chimney and vent services experts today to schedule an appointment.