Laundry is an essential household chore that’s not the most welcomed, but with the help of modern technology, it has become a much more manageable task. When it comes to drying your clothes, a dryer can be really handy. However, what happens to your clothes if you have a clogged dryer vent?
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Will I Notice a Difference in My Clothes if My Dryer Vent Is Clogged?
Having a clogged dryer vent can lead to several issues, but the effects on your clothes are much more noticeable.
A clog in the dryer vent will prevent hot, moist air from escaping and stop the dryer from functioning at its maximum capacity. This will prolong the drying time, sometimes up to 30 to 45 minutes more, and worst, it could leave your clothes still wet at the end of a cycle.
Even if the dryer appears to be working fine and you find your clothes dry, a clogged vent can result in your clothes being extremely hot to the touch at the end of the cycle. While your clothes are meant to be dry, they should not be so hot that they burn your fingers or hands. All that hot air may be stuck due to a clogged vent.
Other Problems Caused By A Clogged Dryer Vent
Aside from affecting your clothes, a clogged dryer vent can lead to other problems that should not be ignored as well.
Lint Build-Up
Not cleaning out a dryer vent can create a sizable lint build-up in your filter or tray. If you start noticing an excessive amount of lint every time you operate the dryer, a clogged dryer vent is likely causing the problem. Other areas to take special note of are the dryer hose and the outside dryer flap. Any significant build-up usually means that cleaning is required.
Burning of Materials
With lint and fabric fuzz being highly flammable, the heat produced by the dryer can be dangerous. In addition, with a clogged vent, the dryer has to work even harder to operate at its peak efficiency, which means higher temperatures due to hot air not escaping. That can easily cause the burning of the materials mentioned above. If operating your dryer produces a burning smell, you should turn it off immediately and contact a technician to check on the dryer.
Overheating
Another problem with heat is with the dryer itself. When there is a clog, the dryer will need to do more, which means more heat is built up, causing the dryer to feel extra hot during a cycle. With the heat and moisture not given a route to escape, your dryer can easily overheat.
While those problems are limited to the dryer and the surrounding area, ignoring these signs can lead to dire circumstances.
Risk of House Fires
The excessive heat caused by a clogged dryer vent can lead to a higher risk of house fires, which can start in the laundry room and engulf an entire house, causing plenty of damage and posing a significant danger to you and your family.
Higher Power Bills
Even if a fire doesn’t happen, a dryer that is not working properly can lead to higher utility bills. Eventually, this will cause the dryer to break down, and you will be looking at either costly repair bills or having to replace the dryer entirely. Cleaning out a clogged dryer vent may not necessarily be a difficult task in comparison.
Conclusion
If you’re already spotting some of these warning signs or symptoms, it’s essential to act immediately. If you need an expert opinion, contact us to do an inspection. This will keep your dryer in good shape and reduce the risks of any mishaps happening in the laundry room.