Dryer Vent Cleaning in Malvern, AR
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It takes about a minute.
Cold air in the vent catches the lint
Your dryer pushes out warm, damp air, and that air has to travel through metal duct sitting in a cold space before it reaches outside. On winter nights that average 33°F from December through February, the warm air cools fast once it hits that duct. The moisture in it beads up on the walls, and the lint that would otherwise blow through sticks right to the damp metal.
Over a five month heating season that buildup narrows the path the air has to take. A vent that is choked with lint forces the dryer to push harder to get air out, and it holds the heat and moisture the machine is trying to get rid of right there in the duct.
- 33°F
- the average winter night, and cold vents catch damp lint
- 5 months
- November through March, the vent stays cold
NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020 normals
- How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
- Once a year for most households. If you run big loads often or dry a lot of towels and bedding, check it sooner, since heavier lint loads build up faster. A vent that runs straight and short stays cleaner longer than one with several turns or a long run to the outside.
- Can I clean my dryer vent myself?
- You can clean the lint trap and the first few feet of duct yourself, but that only covers part of the job. Most of the lint that causes fires collects further down the line and at the vent hood outside, past where a household brush or vacuum can reach. A contractor has the rods and equipment to clear the full run, including any bends.
- What are the signs of a clogged dryer vent?
- Clothes that take two cycles to dry, a dryer that feels hot to the touch on the outside, or a burning smell when it runs are the main ones. Check the outside vent hood too. If the flap barely moves or lint is visible around it while the dryer runs, air isn't getting out the way it should.