In this blog entry, the professional Chicago dryer vent cleaning team here at EmDuct will detail how our expert dryer vent cleaning services can help keep your home safe from dryer-associated fires.
Every year, tons of house fires in the USA are caused by clogged dryer vents. For example, the National Fire Protection Association estimated that between the years of 2014-2018, fire departments handled 13,820 house fires associated with dryers – often caused by clogged dryer ducts. EmDuct is devoted to protecting your home from dryer-associated hazards by providing professional dryer duct cleaning services tailored to keeping your home dryer running efficiently and safely.
Why is dryer vent cleaning so important for fire prevention?
Even when dryer lint screens are cleaned after every load, dryer vents can rapidly accumulate dust, lint, and dirt – and the finest particulates don’t get caught by the filter. This rapidly clogs dryers over time.
Additional factors that can worsen dryer duct issues include:
- Nesting Birds in Dryer Vents – It’s common for animals like birds to try to make their home in the warm dry environment of your dryer vents. This is common in Springtime where there is a demonstrated increase of birds nesting in exterior dryer vents, which can create very dangerous blockages.
- Longer Dryer Duct Runs– If your home is very big and your laundry room is located centrally, it’s likely that your dryer ductwork is very long. When dust gets deposited throughout this ductwork, lint will have more chances to build up – blocking hot air from flowing, and causing the hot air to heat up clogged lint.
- Cold, Wet Weather – When moisture from rain, ice, sleet and snow causes lint to get damp, it will more easily cling to the walls of your vents, and then harden into thick blobs of highly flammable material, drastically raising the risk of fires.
What are the main signs that indicate you need to contact EmDuct for dryer vent cleaning?
- Clothing is taking longer than usual to dry
- Your dryer exterior is hot to the touch when it is operating
- Lint is accumulating around the area where the dryer vent exits your home
- You smell weird smells or a burning odor during dryer operation
If you notice any of these signs, turn your dryer off as soon as possible and contact our dryer vent cleaning service right away!!