Clothing dryers have vents that remove the hot air outside. This is done with a tube that exhausts into a vent outside. This makes sure that dirty air doesn’t get in your house. Not a lot of people know that this needs to be cleaned from time to time. Let’s take a look at why you should do this and how it is done.
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This drain and the vent get dirty over time as dust and dirt get collected into them.
There are a lot of benefits to having your dryer vent cleaned. It’s an important step in keeping your clothes as fresh as possible, and it also reduces the risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Not only that, but a dryer vent cleaning can also reduce your energy bill. So keep your dryer vent clean with these five easy steps!
Why Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned?
If you have a dryer in your home, it’s important to have the dryer vent cleaned out every year. Not only is this a safety measure, but it will also help you save money and extend the life of your clothes.
The simplest reason to have your dryer vent cleaned is your safety. In older homes, the dryer vents are often located too close to combustible materials like wood or insulation. This can increase the risk of a fire. It’s also important for homeowners with gas dryers to ensure that their dryer vents are in compliance with local codes.
Keep the Energy Costs Low
Reducing energy costs is one of the best benefits that you can get from having your dryer vent cleaned. The reason for this is that a clogged dryer vent will increase your energy bill as it requires more time to heat up and cool down.
It can also extend the lifetime of your clothes dryer as the machine has to work harder if the vent is not working properly. Sometimes the dryer will even shut down if the vent is blocked as it gets too hot.
Five Steps for Cleaning a Dryer Vent from outside (without removing dryer)
Cleaning a dryer vent is quite easy. You will need a screwdriver, vacuum or brush, electrical tape, towels, plastic bags and safety equipment.
1. Remove any lint or debris from around the outside of the dryer and the vent itself. You can use a vacuum for this, or you can use a brush and a broom to sweep it up. There is often a filter inside your clothes dryer that you can clean as well.
2. You can remove the vent with a screwdriver. Use water and soap to clean it and remove all dust. You can unplug the duct from the clothes dryer and clean this area as well.
3. You can use a brush to go inside the vent duct. A vacuum can be used as well. Combing both methods where you start with the brush and then use a vacuum is often the best idea if you want to get it completely clean. Professionals have advanced equipment such as brush attachments for a screwdriver. You can use a leafblower as well if the vent is able to handle this stream of air.
It can be a great idea to replace the duct if you see that it is damaged. This doesn’t cost much and is often easy to do.
4. Make sure that all connections are secure and tighten them if needed before turning on your dryer again so that air can flow smoothly through the system without any problems.
5. Inspect that every connection is airtight and apply eclectic tape if needed. Inspect the vent and duct before you restart it.
It’s important to keep your dryer vent as clean as possible in order to maximize efficiency.
The dirt inside your vents is often dry so you can use a bag to store it. Make sure that the dirt doesn’t get all over your house so close the bag as soon as possible.
Check Out These Tips for a Dryer Vent Cleaning from inside
Now that you know how important a dryer vent cleaning is, here are some steps to make it easy on yourself.
1. Turn off your electricity before you start the process. This is a safety precaution so you don’t shock yourself or start a fire. You should also wear gloves and safety goggles.
2. If there are any major blockages in your venting system, remove them with wire or coat hangers (don’t forget to cover sharp ends). You can also use duct tape to securely seal up any holes that need sealing after removing the blockages.
3. Use a clean towel or rag to wipe down all surfaces that were exposed during the process, as well as around areas where your clothes will enter through the laundry chute (don’t forget about inside of your washer!).
There are attachments for your vacuum cleaner that make it easier to get all the lint and dirt removed from your dyer. This part is very cheap and easy to use. These machines have a lot of nooks and crannies so it can be hard to reach each of them. This attachment makes it easier. You might want to get a small brush as well. An old toothbrush can work as well.
In some instances, you will need to use a ladder to access the dryer vents. Make sure that the ladder is properly secured. Wind can easily catch your ladder. You can also look into safety harnesses so that you are safe when you fall.
Conclusion
Keeping your dryer vent clean is not only a good idea for the safety of you and your family, but it can also save you money on your energy bills. If you start having a problem with the dryer taking a long time to dry the clothes, or if there is a weird smell coming from the vent, it’s time to give it a good cleaning. You may need to repeat this process every few months to keep your dryer running at its best.
It’s important to know how to clean a dryer vent; if left up to the professionals, they will do it in just a few hours or less. However, you can do it yourself if you want to save some money and don’t want the hassle of getting someone else in your home. Your machine will last longer and your clothes will be dry faster. A lot of people forget to do this so big props to you that you will get this done!
Cleaning a dryer vent can take up to an hour. Especially if you have to climb up the roof, you have to make sure that you are standing on a flat surface and are protected. The wind can take away your ladder at any point if it is not secured. Working on heights requires quite a lot of preparation.
Working on the dryer inside also requires some preparation as you have to turn off the electricity and might have to move the dryer a few feet. If you have a cart, this is a lot easier as dryers are very heavy to carry.
Cleaning your dryer vents should happen every few years. It is something that a lot of people forget about and this can result in problems. From using more electricity to having problems with the dryer itself.
