Importance of Dryer Vent Cleaning in Hendersonville, TN.

Laundry dryers are usually overworked and underappreciated appliances, but if you've ever had to deal with the time-consuming chore of hanging your laundry out to dry on a clothesline, you can fully appreciate them for the modern conveniences they are.

However, most homeowners don't realize that their automatic dryer needs something from them to keep functioning safely and efficiently: professional dryer vent cleaning. Without proper maintenance on a regular basis, that innocent appliance can cost you a lot of money and much worse, it can threaten the safety of your house and everyone in it.

Wondering how one common household machine could cause so much trouble? We'll explain why dryer vent cleaning is so crucially important and cover the warning signs that your dryer is in desperate need of attention from the pros at Mr. Handyman of E. Nashville and Hendersonville.

This is Why Dryer Vent Cleaning is So Important

There are two key reasons why this could be the most important maintenance task in your entire house to protect against damage and potentially fatal problems.

Reduce Risk of House Fires

If you only take away one piece of information from this article, this should be it: when they're not properly cleaned and maintained, dryer vents become a major fire hazard.

Normally, lint and other debris, such as dryer sheets, are blown into the lint trap, while the duct is used to vent hot, humid air out of the machine. Over time, an accumulation of lint collects inside the ductwork, partially or completely blocking air flow. This forces the machine to work harder and harder, and it can create a tiny spark that sets that flammable lint buildup ablaze, sending flames ripping through the interior of the walls in your home.

Sadly, this happens more frequently than most people suspect. An estimated 2,900 clothes dryer fires are reported to U.S. fire departments every year, resulting in five deaths, 100 injuries, and a staggering $35 million in property loss annually. That's the true cost of not getting your duct cleaned, and it's all preventable. You can help reduce risk by always cleaning your lint screen after every load of laundry.

Reduce Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

While this is another very serious, potentially fatal issue that can occur with clogged dryer vents, it only affects gas dryers, not electric. Gas-powered laundry machines produce carbon monoxide, the colorless, odorless gas that can poison people who breathe it in large quantities.

The machine normally vents the gas out of the house where it can harmlessly dissipate—unless the ductwork is clogged, causing the gas to seep into your home unnoticed and create serious health concerns for whoever breathes it.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Can Also Save Time and Money

Of course, saving time and money aren't as important as saving your life—not even close. But they're still worthwhile goals. Here's how you can lower expenses and claw back a little free time with duct cleaning services.

Get Through Laundry Faster

Drying cycles take longer when your ductwork is clogged, and you may need to run the machine more than once for a single load of laundry. It's still not as time-consuming as the good ol' clothesline, but faster drying is a big benefit when you have a mountain of dirty laundry to get through.

Lower Your Energy Bills

Have you noticed that your utility bill has increased along with the length of time it takes to get your clothes dry? The harder and longer your machine has to operate, the more expensive energy bills will be—and who needs that?

Avoid Replacing Your Machine as Often

Your laundry appliances take a lot of regular wear and tear over the years, which is accelerated when your dryer has to work much harder due to a clogged exhaust vent. This means you'll have to replace the machine much sooner than you would otherwise have to—in some cases, maybe even years sooner. The cost of regular maintenance is less than the cost of replacement in the long run, and you can also avoid the hassle of dragging the old machine out and putting in a new one.

Preserve Your Clothing

When you dry your clothes, they're blasted with hot air that makes them look more faded, stretched, and worn looking, which are all signs of clothes deteriorating. It's a fair trade off for the convenience, but the effects are increased when they have to spend a lot longer in a poorly maintained machine, and you'll need to replace your clothing more often.

How to Tell If You Need Professional Vent Cleaning

Wondering if your machine is due for a good duct cleaning to improve dryer working efficiency? Watch for these telltale signs that it's struggling.

Dryer cycle times are longer than about 30 to 45 minutes
You need multiple cycles to get laundry dry
Fabric gets very hot in the machine
Clothes have a musty smell after drying
Visible lint is gathered around the vent opening (outside)
It's been more than a year since it was cleaned

Some people only use their laundry machines once per week, while others run them multiple times per day, so it's hard to say exactly how often you need to have your dryer ducts cleaned out. However, at least once per year is a good rule of thumb for a single family with typical laundry needs. A large family who goes through a lot of laundry may need cleaning as frequently as every six months, while a multi-family building with shared laundry facilities could need it even more often.

Trust Mr. Handyman for Reliable Home Dryer Vent Cleaning Services

Ready to schedule your first annual dryer vent cleaning? Whether you're in East Nashville or a nearby area such as Old Hickory, Goodlettsville, or Madison, you can rely on Mr. Handyman of E. Nashville and Hendersonville for quality workmanship and dedicated customer service.

Give us a call today at 615-551-4653 or request service online to find out why we're the best choice for handyman services in your area!