Why Boulder Dryer Vent Cleaning Service is Worth It

Clothes dryers are hardworking machines that tend to be taken for granted by many people in Boulder, but if you've ever had to hang your laundry out on a clothesline to dry, you can fully appreciate your dryer for the time-saving convenience it actually is. That’s just one reason why you should consider making an appointment for professional Boulder dryer vent cleaning.

While most homes have a clothes dryer, most property owners in Boulder don't realize that their machine can't function safely, especially without dryer vent cleaning. It's not one of those things you can just forget all about — without regular maintenance, that helpful machine in your laundry room can cost you a lot of money, and much worse, it can create a hazard to the safety of your home and family.

This guide explains the reasons why Boulder dryer vent cleaning is so critical, along with other need-to-know information about your dryer vent ducts, like how to tell when it is time for a cleaning. When that time arrives, you can trust the experienced Boulder handyman technicians at Mr. Handyman of E Boulder, Broomfield & Erie for quality workmanship and outstanding customer service.

Is Boulder Dryer Vent Cleaning Really That Important?

It is incredibly important to protect your family, your home, and all your belongings from a catastrophic disaster. In fact, there are two reasons why professional Boulder dryer vent cleaning might just be the most crucial maintenance task in your house to avoid damage, injury, and even fatality.

Reduce Risk of House Fires

If you only take away one thing from this article, it should be this: a clogged dryer vent that has not been maintained and cleaned properly is a major fire hazard.

Lint and other debris, such as dryer sheets, are supposed to get caught in the lint trap filter, while the dryer vent pipe is used to rid your machine of hot, humid air from damp laundry. But over time, excess lint makes its way into the duct and builds up, partially or completely blocking the airflow out of the machine. This triggers the machine to work much harder to dry your laundry, causing it to suck up more energy and raise your utility bill.

Much worse, it can create a spark that sets the lint on fire, sending flames racing through multiple levels of your home inside the walls. It may seem far-fetched, but sadly it is not —2,900 home dryer fires are reported every year in the United States on average, resulting in an estimated five deaths, 100 injuries, and a $35 million in property loss. Failure to clean the vent causes 34% of these tragic events and is the leading cause of home dryer fires. You can help prevent this by always cleaning out the lint trap after every load of laundry.

Reduce Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

This is another critical piece of information about home safety, but it only affects gas-powered machines in Boulder, not electric ones. Gas-operated laundry machines produce carbon monoxide, the colorless, odorless gas that is fatal when inhaled in large quantities. Your gas dryer normally uses the vent hose to harmlessly dispose of the carbon monoxide outside — unless the vent is clogged. Then, the gas leaks into your home and can cause illness or even death for anyone who inhales it. If you start feeling nauseous and dizzy or have an unexplained headache, and you suspect a leak, turn off the gas valve, open windows and doors, and get all people and pets out of the house right away.

How Does Dryer Vent Cleaning Save Time and Money?

Saving time and money doesn't really matter at all compared to saving your life, but it's still a nice perk that comes along with professional Boulder dryer vent cleaning, which is part of our home maintenance guide for Colorado homeowners.

Finish Laundry Faster

It may not seem like a quality of life upgrade to have your laundry dry faster. But if you're trying to work your way through a veritable mountain of dirty clothes, or you just have a busy life in Boulder and need to keep everything ticking along as efficiently as possible, the speed at which your machine can power through a load of laundry matters. When your dryer ventilation is off, it can't effectively remove the moisture from the fabric, so it takes much longer to get your clothes dry. You might even have to run more than one cycle for the same load — which is a big waste of time when the machine could have your clothes perfectly dry in 30 minutes with a clean vent.

Decrease Energy Costs

Have you noticed your utility bill increasing lately? Your clothes drying appliance already uses a significant amount of energy to toss your wet laundry around and blast it with hot air. But when your vent is clogged up, the energy usage increases as the machine struggles to do its job. That extra usage is reflected on your utility bill. Keeping the duct clean so the machine can operate efficiently will save you money on energy costs over time.

Extend Lifespan of Your Machine

Because of the nature of your laundry appliances, they take a lot of wear and tear over time with regular, efficient use. The harder and longer your dryer needs to run to get a single load of laundry finished, the faster it deteriorates. By maintaining the duct and keeping it clean, you can avoid having to replace your machine too soon. Here’s why Boulder homeowners will save you time, money, and a lot of hassle.

Preserve Your Clothing

Every time you dry your clothes, they get a tiny bit more faded, stretched, or otherwise worn-looking. This minor issue is still worth it in the balance for the convenience and the clean laundry. But the longer and hotter the machine has to operate to get them dry, the more the negative effects are amplified. That means you'll be replacing your clothes more often, which can get pretty expensive. Dryer vent cleaning will keep them looking great for longer, which is not only cost-effective but also a lot more environmentally friendly.

How Do You Know If Your Dryer Vent is Clogged?

It's a good idea to be aware of the warning signs for clogged dryer vents, so you know when there's a problem that needs attention. Keep an eye out for the following signs that your machine is struggling and needs dryer duct cleaning.

It takes more than about 30 to 45 minutes to dry clothes.
You need more than one cycle for a single load of laundry.
Fabric is very hot when you take it out of the machine.
Clothes have a musty smell after drying.
There is visible lint build-up around the vent opening outside.
It has been more than one year since it was cleaned.

How Often Should a Dryer Vent Be Cleaned?

It is tricky to pinpoint exactly how frequently you need vent cleaning because laundry habits can vary so widely from household to household in Boulder. Once per year is the general rule of thumb for single-family homes and should be sufficient to prevent major issues with your machine. However, large families in Boulder who regularly produce a lot of laundry or rental properties with shared laundry facilities for more than one family may need to have their ducts cleaned as often as every six months.

Mr. Handyman of E Boulder, Broomfield & Erie is Your Best Choice for Professional Boulder Dryer Vent Cleaning Services!

Whether you're in East Boulder or a nearby community such as Louisville, Frederick, or Firestone, you can trust the professionals at Mr. Handyman of E Boulder, Broomfield & Erie for excellent workmanship and customer service.

Give us a call today at 303-647-9132 to request service or find out more about what we can do to enhance your Boulder home.