You clean the lint trap after every load, so the dryer vent should be fine, right? Not quite. The lint trap catches much of the lint, but some always slips past and travels into the vent line. Over months, it builds up inside the duct that runs from your dryer to the outside of your home.
Why it matters
Lint is highly flammable. When the vent line gets clogged, hot air cannot escape the way it should, and the dryer runs hotter and longer. The U.S. Fire Administration lists failure to clean as a leading cause of home clothes dryer fires.
A clogged vent also costs you time and money. Clothes take longer to dry, and the dryer works harder on every load.
Warning signs
- Clothes need more than one cycle to dry
- The dryer or laundry room feels very hot
- A burning smell when the dryer runs
- The outside vent flap barely opens while the dryer is on
- Lint around the dryer door or the outside vent
Why Arizona homes need extra care
Many Arizona homes vent the dryer up through the roof or through long runs inside walls. Longer vent lines with more bends trap more lint. Add summer heat, and a clogged vent works against you twice.
Simple habits that help
- Clean the lint trap before or after every load.
- Check the outside vent flap now and then to be sure it opens freely.
- Use a metal transition hose behind the dryer, not plastic or thin foil.
- Do not crush or kink the hose when you push the dryer back.
- Have the full vent line cleaned at least once a year.
Ready for a professional clean? Book dryer vent cleaning and our CSA will call to confirm within 2 business hours.