6 Risks You Face When Your Dryer Vent is Left Dirty

If you thought your heater vents were the only vents that need to be cleaned in your home, you were mistaken. Your dryer vent needs to be cleaned at least once a year as well. Without proper maintenance, all the lint from your dryer gets stuck inside the vents. Unfortunately, dirty dryer vents can cause a variety of problems for you and your home. Here are six risks you face when your dryer vent gets too dirty.

1. Dryer Fires

If you haven't had your dryer vent cleaned in a while - or you never have - you're at an increased risk for a fire. About 17,000 dryer fires are reported each year. These fires result in about $236 million in property loss, in addition to the nearly 400 injuries and over 50 deaths. Unfortunately, many of these dryer fires are caused by dirty vents.

The best way to protect your home and your family is to have your dryer vents cleaned out at least once a year. You also need to remember to clean the dryer filter after each load of laundry. This practice helps reduce the amount of lint that flows through the vents.

2. Mold Growth

If you thought your washing machine was the only mold risk in your laundry room, you were mistaken. While mold does tend to grow inside washing machine drums, the fungus also thrives inside dryer vents, especially when they're filled with lint. The lint inside allows moisture to develop during the dry cycle.

Unfortunately, the moisture remains trapped inside the vent, which creates the perfect environment for mold growth. If you have a distinct odor of mold in your laundry room, but you can't locate the source, have your dryer vent cleaned as soon as possible.

3. Pest Infestations

If you have a buildup of lint in your dryer vent and don't have a protective shield over the exterior vent, pests, such as birds and rodents, could build nests inside. Unfortunately, if your vent is exposed and filled with lint, you've provided animals with an attractive nest location.

The best way to keep pests out of your dryer vent, aside from removing the lint at least once a year, is to have a cover installed. The lack of nesting material and accessibility will help keep the pests away.

4. Unpleasant Odors

If you've noticed an increased occurrence of foul odors in your laundry room, they could be coming from your dryer vents. Dirty vents can produce a variety of odors. First, moist lint can leave your home with a dirty odor. Second, as the dirt inside your vent heats up, a foul odor can form. Finally, pests may have crawled into your vent and died. Eliminate the bothersome odors with proper dryer vent maintenance.

5. Longer Drying Time

If your clothes need a longer cycle to get thoroughly dried, chances are good that your vent is dirty. Your dryer needs a clean vent for the air to flow through properly. When the vent is dirty, air can't flow, which means your dryer won't work efficiently. Unfortunately, that problem leads to longer drying time and increased energy bills.

6. Increased Allergy Symptoms

If someone in your home suffers from allergies and their symptoms have increased dramatically, there could be an accumulation of dust and other allergens in the dryer vent. Because the vent is clogged, the lint can't flow out of the house effectively, which means the allergens get pushed back into the house. Annual vent service helps control the allergens in your home.

Don't let your dryer vent cause you problems. If you haven't had your dryer vent cleaned in a while, contact us at Carolina Ductmasters. We'll clean your dryer vent so that you don't have to worry about any of the problems associated with dirty vents.