Dryer Vent Cleaning

In order to dry clothes, the dryer pulls in air from the Seattle environment, heats it, sends it through the fabric where it picks up moisture, and releases it to the outside through a vent. The dryer vent is a very important piece of the dryer enabling it to work efficiently, dry clothes properly, and protect the Seattle home from mold and fire hazards. The part Seattle residents are most familiar with is the lint trap which is cleaned in between each load of laundry. This trap protects the dryer vent from the bulk of the clothes lint, but it is not a catch all. Beyond the trap is the beginning of a vent system that continues to the back of the dryer where a vent hood is located. At this point aluminum tubing should be attached to your dryer and run to the outside, either going into a crawl space or into the walls to release the warm, moist air to the outside. Plastic or vinyl tubing used to be quite popular but has since been found to be a fire hazard and its use is no longer up to code in Seattle. Some Seattle systems release the air through a vent in through the wall of the house, and others travel all the way to the attic to release through the roof. Depending on the location, it is important to make sure the proper vent cover is used to protect the outside of the Seattle home from the heat and moisture.

The lint trap is excellent for catching the fluff from fabric, but a surprisingly large amount slips past the trap. Should the lint accumulate in the dryer vent it can create a number of problems such as being a fire hazard, a potential for mold growth, wasting energy, and damaging clothes.

 

Lint is flammable. Large amounts exposed to hot air can cause a house fire. When the vent becomes blocked, the moisture in the air condenses and drips back toward the dryer. This damages the Seattle dryer itself and creates a perfect environment for mold to grow. Any area where the tubing is insufficiently attached lets the moisture loose directly into the Seattle home. When the air is improperly vented the dryer has to work harder than it should in order to dry clothes. This runs electricity longer and shortens the life of the dryer. It also exposes clothing to hot temperatures for a longer period of time and can damage certain fabrics.

 

A cleaning not only removes these problems, it also is a check to be sure that the Seattle dryer is vented properly. Many people would not recognize if their Seattle system was using improper, or even dangerous, materials like vinyl tubing. It is also difficult to check that all of the seams at the bends are properly fitted, especially in a system behind Seattle walls. When the seams have separated and the tubing is no longer in a continuous piece, the moist warm air from the dryer is released into the Seattle home allowing for lint to accumulate behind the walls creating an unseen fire hazard. It also allows mold to grow behind the walls creating a hidden health hazard for Seattle family members.

There are a number of signs that a blocked Seattle vent will show. The first sign is that clothes need to be dried longer than usual. It may also be noticed that the dryer becomes warm, or even hot, to the touch while running. If the external end of the Seattle vent is in a convenient location to be checked, it is a good idea to feel for air flow while the dryer is running. If there is no flow or a weak flow, there is likely a blockage. It is also prudent to check for evidence of lint at this far external end. If the lint is seen here it is likely deposited all throughout the Seattle venting system. This creates a partial blockage that decreases the efficiency of the dryer in addition to creating hazards for the Seattle home. The last thing to check is for signs of a nest at the exit point. Warm air from the dryer vent can often encourage Seattle birds and small animals to make their homes in this area. Even if there is no lint build up, any nesting material can block a vent just as easily. Make sure all nests are removed and a good duct cover is in place.

There are multiple variables to answering this question. In short, most Seattle vents need to be cleaned out at least every two years. This changes depending on the length of a vent, how many times the vent turns in order to reach an exit, and how often the dryer is used. Shorter Seattle vents with a straight path that are infrequently used can go longer between cleanings.

 

There is any number of reasons to have a dryer checked for proper ventilation. It is most important to be certain that the Seattle home and family are not in danger from any incorrect installation or from normal lint build up due to usage. However, it is also nice to have peace of mind that the dryer is working as efficiently as possible to dry clothing the right way.