Having a dryer in your home is a common amenity and convenience. When you have your own dryer, you can dry your clothing and complete a laundry cycle quickly. While plenty of benefits come with owning a dryer, this appliance requires some maintenance and care to keep it in good condition. One form of maintenance to complete regularly is to clean out your dryer vent. Various dangers can come with not cleaning out your dryer vent on a regular basis.
Risk of Fire Damage
One of the most significant dangers of a clogged dryer vent is the increased risk of a fire. Failing to clean out a dryer vent continues to be one of the most common causes of household fires. This is because when lint, debris, and other fibers build in the vent, they can block the airflow, causing the dryer to overheat. The higher heat from the dryer, plus the fact that lint and other parts of debris are flammable, can create a serious fire hazard. Because of this continued risk, it is important that you clean out the dryer vent and lint traps regularly.
Mold and Mildew Growth
While the lint and debris from a dryer are always a concern due to the risk of fire, the risk of mold or mildew growth can also be problematic and concerning. If the moist air created by your dryer cannot escape, it can lead to mold growth on the products clogging up the vent. Over time, this can cause mold and mildew growth. This could then cause damage to your dryer vent and connected parts and create air quality issues in your home that could cause allergies and respiratory challenges.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
If you have a gas-powered dryer, a blocked dryer could cause harmful byproducts, such as carbon monoxide, to build up throughout your home. Carbon monoxide is a very dangerous byproduct as it is colorless and odorless. At the same time, it is very toxic and can even be fatal in certain doses or if it is highly concentrated. While you must always have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, regularly cleaning the vents can help to reduce this risk.
Reduced Efficiency
While it is not as much of a safety or health risk as the other risk factors, not cleaning out a dryer vent can make your appliance less efficient. When a dryer vent is clogged, and airflow is restricted, it can make it much more difficult for clothes to dry. Eventually, this will require you to extend your drying cycles. This will use more energy and increase your gas or electricity bills at the end of the month.
Wear and Tear
While excessive use of your dryer due to a clogged vent can reduce the efficiency of your dryer, it can also reduce the lifespan of your dryer. While a quality dryer can last for a decade or longer, you will find that it needs to be repaired occasionally. Generally, a dryer will start to break down the more it is used. If your dryer vent is completely clogged and you have to extend drying cycles, it will eventually cause more wear and tear. This will require you to spend more on repair bills and will require you to replace the appliance sooner.
It is very important for all people to have their dryer vent cleaned out regularly. This is a common form of maintenance that can be done fairly easily. At the same time, having your dryer vent cleaned out can help you avoid various dangers and negative outcomes. When you want to have your dryer vent cleaned out, using professional dryer vent cleaning services is often ideal, as you will know that the vent is cleaned and cleared out properly.
