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In the ever-changing and vibrant cityscape of Pittsburgh, where the moist climate intensifies the need for diligent home maintenance, our expert team at United Sprayers delivers premier dryer vent cleaning services. Guarantee a safer, more efficient living space and dramatically lower the risk of fire hazards with our thorough cleaning techniques. Rely on our committed professionals to boost the safety and performance of your home through our unparalleled dryer vent upkeep solutions.
You can usually tell when your dryer vent starts to clog up. If you keep an eye out for some of these warning signs, you’ll be able to call a professional dryer vent cleaning service before you have any serious problems.
Here’s a quick list of what to look out for…
If you see any of these signs, you should call a professional. This usually means you have a buildup of debris inside your vent.
There are 15,000 fires caused every year by dryer vents. If it takes more than one cycle to dry, you need to clean your dryer vent. Dryer vents clogged with lint cost $20 to $28 more per month.
Dryer vents need to be thoroughly and professionally cleaned on a regular basis to prevent fires and keep your dryer running effectively. Our cleaning system will reduce fire risks and may even lengthen the life of your dryer. It will certainly dry your clothes faster! We use a suction hose system and pressurized air to clean the dryer vent and dryer opening.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration (Division of U.S. Department of Homeland Security), clothes dryers were involved in an estimated 15,600 U.S. structure fires, fifteen deaths, 400 injuries, and $99 million in direct property damage, annually. “Failure to clean” is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in residential buildings.
Proper dryer venting is much more important than most homeowners realize. Considering the stakes involved and the frequency of residential dryer fires, the topic of dryer venting deserves more attention than it gets.
In addition to the danger of fire, clogged dryer vents prolong drying time. This wastes energy and helps contribute to even more lint buildup.
A quick look behind just about any dryer can be illuminating. In most cases, the flexible duct (transition hose) is going to have multiple bends. In situations that can be very dangerous, the exhaust hose can be crushed against the wall. Add lost socks, an empty fabric softener box, and a considerable accumulation of lint dust, and this very real fire hazard becomes obvious.
All this is before looking inside the wall or at the exhaust system’s outside termination. Inside the wall, long duct runs with many elbows increase the rate of lint accumulation in the duct and in the dryer itself. Inefficient dryer vent terminations that are all too common also contribute to the problem.
While we strongly recommend that the lint screen be cleaned before every load, the fact is that lint still makes it past the filter. There are many reasons lint builds up in every dryer system. Some you can see. Some you can’t.
New construction trends are placing laundry rooms in nontraditional areas of the house, further away from exterior walls than in the past. These locations require longer dryer duct runs and more elbow fittings in order to reach an outside wall.
Birds, rodents and insects build nests within the exterior termination hood. Often this occurs when the hood is missing or broken. We can ensure that your hood is is in full working order.
The transition hose behind the dryer tends to get crushed or kinked excessively when the dryer is moved back, either inadvertently or by vibration. This kink or partial blockage drastically reduces the unit’s ability to efficiently vent the air.
It’s not uncommon to find an exhaust termination hood or vent that is not specifically for dryer venting or that has some sort of lint catching grill or screen feature. Even so, dryer specific vent hoods require an inspection and regular cleaning, as they too get debris buildup.
Running the exhaust system through an un-insulated area like a crawl space or attic in cold northern regions may cause condensation within the pipe. Wet surfaces within the pipe attract and promote accumulation of lint to the duct walls.
Lint and debris accumulation restricts airflow and decreases the efficiency of your dryer. Your dryer is forced to work harder to achieve the same level. Many times, homeowners mistake their dryer for taking longer to dry their clothes for something mechanical, and not a clogged dryer vent.
When a gas dryer has a buildup of lint, the exhaust fumes from the dryer are restricted from flowing out of the home. These fumes, carbon monoxide, can cause poisoning or even death.
A clogged dryer vent will keep moisture from being removed from the dryer. Adding moisture to an accumulation of lint can produce a mortar-like paste that can become hard and very difficult to remove. Moisture buildup can also produce mold and mildew on the vent pipe, on walls surrounding the dryer, and inside your dryer.
If your dryer takes longer and your clothing is exposed to high heat, the fabric in your clothes can begin to break down. Regularly scheduled dryer vent cleaning can increase the lifespan of your clothing.
Properly maintained dryer vents will reduce the need for dryer repairs. A clean dryer vent will reduce the amount of time your dryer runs, which will reduce your energy consumption.
Most dryer vent cleanings will take an hour or two at the most. The factors that will affect the cleaning time are the amount of lint buildup, accessibility to the vent and any damage caused by lint buildup.
At United Sprayers, we recommend cleaning your dryer vents every one to two years depending on the use of your dryer. For your safety, it is best to keep your dryer vent clean to avoid fires and unnecessary wear and tear on your dryer.
Extended drying times or if your clothes coming out moist and hot indicate you have a restriction in your dryer’s airflow. In addition, if you notice loud noises, smoke, mold, or mildew in or around your dryer, it is best to call United Sprayers to have your dryer inspected.
Clogged dryer vents due to lint buildup can cause problems such as: fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, mold growth, and mildew growth.
The cost will vary depending on the amount of lint buildup. The average cost is around $150-$200. The type of dryer can also increase the cost.
Once a year.
How do I know if my dryer vent needs cleaning? Here are six signs you need your dryer vent cleaned:
Lint buildup is the primary cause of fire from the dryer vent.
