When you have a busy household and wash and dry multiple loads of laundry every week, it’s easy to forget about dryer maintenance, including dryer vent cleaning. Even if you clean the lint screen after every load, lint and debris can collect in the vent and create a significant hazard, as well as some other inconveniences. The guide below lists several reasons why cleaning the vent is beneficial to your household. 

Why You Need Annual Dryer Vent Cleaning

1. Reduce Fire Hazards

Every year, about 2,900 home fires happen due to dirty or clogged dryer vents. Most of these fires start because the vent is blocked, preventing harmful exhaust gases from escaping. When these gases back up, they can ignite the lint inside the vent, which is highly flammable. Dryer vent cleaning prevents this from occurring, improving proper airflow. 

2. Keep Pests Out

When your dryer vent gets clogged, the flap on the outside may not fully close. This creates the ideal entry point for pests, including rodents, insects, and other small animals. Keeping the vent clean ensures the flap stays fully closed year-round, and those pests stay outside. 

3. Reduce Heat & Humidity Inside

When the dryer exhaust doesn’t vent properly, the heat has to go somewhere–and that’s usually inside your home, where it can become uncomfortably warm and humid. 

Trapped heat and moisture also create the ideal conditions for mold and mildew growth inside the vent. You might notice a musty odor, but the bigger problem is the effect that mold can have on your health. Spores from the dryer vent can get into the air inside, causing respiratory discomfort, headaches, and other ailments. 

Keep your family safe and your dryer working efficiently with a professional dryer vent cleaning from DuctMedic Air Duct Cleaning in Omaha, NE. For more than 25 years, their team of certified technicians has helped local homeowners keep all vents in their homes clean and free of dust, debris, and other hazards. To make an appointment, call (402) 829-3828, or visit them online to learn more about their services.