Clogged dryer vents are among the most common fire hazards in any property. They could also lead to tremendous spikes in a household’s electricity bills since the machine needs to use more energy than usual just to function properly. With these negative effects, it’s critical that dryer vents are maintained periodically by a skilled technician to make sure that it works perfectly each time and to avoid accidental fire. While you have the option to clean it on your own, it’s a wise move to just let the experts do the servicing since they have the right training, skills, and equipment to perform the job properly and quickly. But how do you know when your dryer vent is already up for some professional servicing? Here are five tell-tale signs of trouble that you must watch out for:
Burning smell
A common sign of a problematic dryer vent is a burning smell when it’s being used. This is usually caused by lint that is clogging the dryer and is probably slowly getting burned. Keep in mind that dryer lint is a highly flammable substance so when you smell something burning from your dryer, stop using it at once and immediately call your technician who offers dryer vent cleaning service in Kansas City and nearby areas.
Your clothes do not dry quickly like before
If you’ve been noticing that it takes quite a long time for your clothes to completely dry (unlike before), then it’s probably time to have your dryer checked for trouble. This is most likely due to the dryer vent being clogged, which traps the hot and moist air inside the dryer instead of being pushed outside. Ignoring this sign will not only shorten your dryer’s service life but could also lead to a disastrous fire.
There is already a build-up of debris and lint on the outside vent
One way to check if your dryer vent is already clogged and needs to be checked by your technician soon is by inspecting the outside vent. A clogged dryer vent will surely have a visible lump of debris and lint in the outside part which is causing the dryer to malfunction or perform poorly. In such a case, quick servicing is highly recommended.
Clothes are unusually hot
With a properly functioning dryer, the clothes that you will take out from it should not be hot to the touch. If they are, then it’s most likely because your dryer vent is already clogged. Be very cautious of this situation since the lint that’s not being pushed out of the vent, as well as your clothes, could burst into flames due to extreme temperature.
It’s been a year since you last had the dryer serviced
If you can’t remember the last time you had the dryer serviced or if a year has already passed since the last check-up, then it’s time to call the technician. A dryer should be serviced at least every year or twice a year This way, you can be sure that the machine is working properly and any problem will be fixed by your technician immediately.
Just keep these warning signs in mind and be sure to watch out for them each time you use your dryer. This way, you can act proactively to keep any untoward incident from happening.