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Reasons To Get Your Dryer Vents Cleaned

Most homeowners understand the basics of dryer care, such as cleaning out the lint trap after use. While this is an important part of preventing dryer fires, there is one space it can be difficult to reach lint buildup – in the dryer vents.

Why do dryer vents need to be cleaned?young woman taking clothing out of the dryer

The same lint that accumulates in the lint trap can begin building up in the dryer vents over time. If not removed, this lint can begin to clog dryer vents, impact dryer performance, and significantly increase the risk of a dryer fire.

Lint and other debris in the dryer vents can cause narrowing that constricts air flow; as little as half an inch of accumulation in a four-inch dryer vent can reduce airflow by up to 50%. To compensate for the reduced airflow, the dryer produces hotter and hotter air. This superheated air can ignite the highly flammable lint, causing a dryer fire that can quickly spread beyond the laundry room and to the rest of your home.

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,000 house fires are caused by clogged dryer vents in the United States each year. These fires endanger lives and cause millions of dollars in damage to homes and property – and can often be prevented.

Reasons to have your dryer vents cleaned

Below are four of the many reasons to have your dryer vents cleaned.

1. Reduce the risk of fire
Professional dryer vent cleaning removes lint and debris from the entire vent system – not just from the lint trap. This significantly reduces the risk of an accidental dryer fire.

2. Preventative dryer maintenance
When dryer vents are clogged, additional wear and tear are placed on the appliance. As the dryer works harder to compensate for clogged vents, there is a higher chance of a breakdown occurring. The cost of repairs – or an entirely new dryer – is often more than the cost of a dryer vent cleaning.

3. Improved performance
Clogs can prevent humid air from escaping; this means that clothes often need more than one cycle to dry completely. Clean vents can help improve dryer performance by shortening dryer times and helping clothes dry faster. Likewise, having dryer vents cleaned can help prevent the damp, musty smells that can permeate the dryer – and clothes – when vents are clogged.

4. Lower energy bills
A dryer with clogged vents has to work harder in order to dry clothes; this uses more energy and can lead to increased energy bills. Electricity bills can also go up when running additional cycles is needed in order to get clothes totally dry. Having dryer vents cleaned can help the dryer operate more efficiently and lower energy bills.

Schedule your dryer vent cleaning today!

If your dryer is running sluggishly, don’t head to the store to pick out a new dryer. Instead, consider having your dryer vents cleaned to improve dryer efficiency – and significantly reduce your risk of a dryer fire. For more information about dryer vent cleaning or to schedule your next appointment, contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today!

We Still Have Holiday Sales!

The holiday season may have ended, but there is still time to take advantage of deals for your fireplace and chimney! At Clean Sweeps of Michigan, we offer a full range of fireplace and chimney services to help our customers care for their heating appliances and safely enjoy them for years to come!

Our ServicesWe Still Have Holiday Sales Image - Ann Arbor MI - Clean Sweeps of Michigan

Clean Sweeps of Michigan has been caring for the fireplaces and chimneys of our neighbors in mid-Michigan, northern Ohio, and northern Indiana for almost 40 years. Our years in business have given us the knowledge and experience to care for all of your heating system needs. Our services include:

  • regular annual maintenance,
  • help troubleshoot an ongoing performance problem,
  • restoration of an aging historic chimney.

While we may be best known as chimney sweeps, we can care for your dryer vents too! Dryer vent cleaning significantly reduces your risk of dryer fire as well as keeps your dryer operating efficiently. In fact, dryer vent cleaning can help eliminate some dryer performance problems such as long dry cycles or clothes with musty or damp smells!

How often should my chimney be swept?

Many homeowners believe their chimneys do not need to be swept every year, especially if they are used infrequently. However, according to National Fire Protection Association, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.”

Annual maintenance, even with fireplaces that are rarely used, ensures:

  • there are no changes to the chimney,
  • that no unseen damage has occurred,
  • and that are no other issues that could make the fireplace unsafe to use.

Likewise, the more you use your fireplace the more it may need to be cleaned; if your home has a fireplace or stove as a primary heating source, it may need to be swept more than once per year.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends fireplaces be swept anytime there is a buildup of 1/8th of an inch of more of soot or ash in the flue. This amount of buildup typically occurs after burning one full cord of wood in normal conditions. If you burn more than a cord of wood in a single fireplace during a burning season, a mid-season chimney sweeping can lower the risk of an accidental chimney fire. It can keep your fireplace or stove burning efficiently for the rest of the winter.

Start the new year off right – schedule your annual maintenance now!

Regular chimney sweepings and inspections are an important part of keeping your fireplace system in good working condition. One of the best ways to help your fireplace burn safely and efficiently is through yearly maintenance; this helps ensure your fireplace and chimney are free from buildup, damage, or deterioration.

The holidays may be over, but our deals are still here! Take advantage of our holiday sales by scheduling your next chimney or fireplace maintenance now. Contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today to schedule your next chimney appointment!

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