Why You Should Consider Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning
Did you know that the dryer is often the number one source of house fires?
There is more than just one reason Crossroads Property Rescue advises homeowners in Morgantown, West Virginia and surrounding areas to seek regular professional dryer vent cleanings. A professional dryer vent cleaning is about more than keeping your appliance operating at its peak efficiency – it’s about keeping you and your family safe as well.
According to the United States Fire Administration National Fire Data Center, dryers are responsible for an estimated 15,600 structural fires each year in the U.S. In 2007, the Topical Fire Research Series cited a “failure to clean” as the leading factor contributing to clothing dryer fires in residential buildings.
What causes a dryer fire?
If homeowners don’t seek regular professional dryer vent cleanings, the accumulation of lint in the dryer vent reduces hot air flow and creates a highly flammable fuel source. In addition to lint accumulation, it’s not uncommon for small birds and animals to create nests in the venting system itself, which compromises the dryer vent’s ability to properly exhaust to the outdoors.
The culmination of these issues often causes dryers to overheat. If the temperatures reach a high enough degree, it is possible to ignite the lint and create the ingredients for a fire to develop.
How do I know if my dryer vent is clogged?
- Clothing is damp or wet after a normal drying cycle.
- A musty smell protrudes from clothing after a drying cycle.
- Clothing is too hot to touch after a drying cycle.
- More than a year has passed since your last dryer vent cleaning.
- There is a large amount of lint accumulation in the lint trap.
- There is much debris around the lint filter or within the outside dryer vent opening.
If you notice these signs of clogged or dirty dryer vents, it’s time to call Crossroads Property Rescue. Our team of experience professionals has the tools and equipment needed to reach deep into the dryer vent and clean the debris build-up in the ventilation pipes – lessening the risk that your dryer poses to you and your family. If you’re in Morgantown, West Virginia or a surrounding area and need a professional dryer vent cleaning service, contact Crossroads Property Rescue at 304-513-4540.
