Although most clothes dryers use a vent exhaust which consists of a basic duct, it can become problematic. Homeowners often wonder how it can be cleaned, and how often cleaning must be done. Most construction codes recommend that homeowners clean their dryer vents at least once every other year. However, depending on the level of usage, the dryer vent should be cleaned more frequently.
If your dryer vent has a length which is longer than 20 feet, or it features a large number of vent elbows, you will want to clean it more often. Other factors include the brand of the dryer, the frequency of use and how often the lint trap is cleaned. Cleaning the lint trap is extremely important, as this screen is responsible for the protection of the blower wheel. Ideally, the lint traps should be cleaned after each load.
A basic DIY (do it yourself) vent cleaning kit can be purchased at a hardware shop. However, some of these kits may be made from materials which aren’t very high quality, and they may break while you’re cleaning out the vent. Special methods have to be used for cleaning dryer vents, due to the way in which they are designed. Before you begin cleaning the vent, you should activate the dryer to determine the amount of airflow. You should also check to see if the vent is disconnected or clogged.
You will next want to open the door of the dryer machine, and then take out the lint screen and clean it. Attach a vacuum to the vent from the exhaust on the outside, and follow the instructions which came with your cleaning kit to brush. Once you’re done cleaning, you will need to inspect the dryer vent for any leaks. If leaks are found, they will need to be sealed with duct tape which can withstand high temperatures. When cleaning the dryer vent you must be careful, so that the vent is not damaged.
Correctly cleaning a dryer vent can be a tedious process, and this is why many homeowners choose to the hire the services of a professional. The vent cleaning service you hire should be experienced as well as insured. While DIY vent cleaning kits allow you to save money by cleaning the vents yourself, it is a tough job that must be done thoroughly. If you have the time for it, great, but if not it is best to hire a technician that can work with vents and air ducts.
The reason for this is because dryer vent cleaning professionals use high end cleaning kids to thoroughly scrape off lint which has collected inside the vent, and they can easily restore the vent’s functionality. Additionally, good technicians will use vacuums which are HEPA certified, which in many cases cannot be found in a regular hardware store. These vacuums also cause less damage indoors. All in all, dryer vents must be cleaned regularly because when dirty, they present a serious fire hazard.