Dryer Vent Safety: Regularly Servicing your Dryer
Kevin Kelley
It is always important to keep your dryer maintenanced. Improperly maintained dryer vents can not only be a fire hazard, but can cause health concerns as well. When a dryer is functioning properly, it eliminates moisture during the drying process. If a vent is not in working order, for example if it is crushed or blocked with lint, the moisture that is emitted during the drying cycle can be trapped which will lead to mold and bacteria in the venting system. This can lead to many respiratory problems in your household. As for gas dryers, lint or another type of blockage can prevent the exhaust fumes from exiting correctly, which can build up dangerous levels of harmful gasses such as carbon monoxide.
There are a myriad of warning signs that your dryer ventilation system needs servicing and/or cleaning. If you have any of the following issues, it might be time to take action!
-If laundry is taking too long to dry, or if it is still damp after the cycle has completed, that might signal that there is a blockage or restriction in the venting system.
-If there is excessive amounts of heat being emitted in the laundry room area, this can be a sign that there is backup in the ventilation system.
-If you can smell your laundry detergent or dryer sheets during the cycle when the dryer door is closed, this shows that there is improper air ventilation.
-Any loud noises, such as metal-on-metal or squeaking, shows that the dryer is working too hard and that the essential oils have dried out. This can cause overheating and can be very dangerous; this can cause sparks and possible fires to occur. A ticking noise can signal that a belt requires replacement.
-No noises coming from the dryer can also be a bad sign; this can show that the dryer has completely overheated and blown the thermal fuse.
Overall, it is a good idea to make sure that your dryer is serviced. This can prevent many safety issues and keep your appliances in good working order. A MagVent product, a properly designed duct system, and routine cleaning are the solutions to boost dryer efficiency and save energy and space!