Have you ever taken the time to look closely at your dryer vent? If you’re like most people, then you probably answered no to that question. However, the simple fact is you should pay closer attention to your dryer vent and you should always make sure that it is clean and clear of built up debris. Failing to do so could be costly, for any homeowner, including apartment building owners.

Your dryer vent carries all of the heat and moisture from your laundry as your unit dries your clothes. Most dryer vents connect from your dryer to a hose in the wall. That hose then usually runs under your house and out to a vent opening in your foundation. The problem is most people connect the hose between the dryer and the wall and then never give their dryer vent another thought.

That can be dangerous. A recent report in Ohio noted that in most apartment complexes no one is responsible to make sure that dryer vents are clean and safe. That means a serious fire hazard could be lurking in just about any building in Ohio, as well as anywhere else. Click here to read the entire story.

A small dryer vent fire can quickly escalate and cause serious injuries or death and costly damage, especially in a multi-unit complex. If you’re the owner of an apartment complex and you’ve never considered the dryer vents in your building, it’s probably time to get them inspected and most likely cleaned. You can contact a qualified and knowledgeable dryer vent cleaning company in Portland and Vancouver by clicking here.

There’s a good chance you have been using your washer and dryer more lately, and that’s because typically during this time of year people tend to wear more clothing and use more blankets. Plus, winter clothing is often bigger and thicker, which means it takes up more room in the washer and dryer. The problem with all that extra material is that lint tends to build up at a greater rate this time of year.

All that extra lint can be a real problem because it can build up in your dryer vent. Too much lint and built up debris can be real a fire hazard. One common symptom of a clogged dryer vent is wet clothing. If you are keeping your load size about the same and you are running the dryer for the normal amount of time, but your clothes are still coming out of the dryer wet, then you probably have a clogged vent.

A clogged vent can cost you money because it takes more time to dry your clothes. That means more energy spent, which means a higher bill. Plus, as we just mentioned, a clogged dryer vent could lead to a dryer vent fire. If you have noticed that your clothes are taking longer to dry, then you might want to get your dryer vent cleaned. Click here to learn more about dryer vent cleaning services.

How many times have you pulled clothing out of your dryer on a cold day and enjoyed that warm, cozy feeling up against your body? Freshly dried clothes can be very nice, but what about when you pull them out and they are actually too hot to touch? That’s not so nice.

So what causes clothes to get so hot? There’s always a chance that you have left them in too long, which would easily explain why they are too hot to touch. However, if you’re running your dryer for normal lengths of time and they’re still coming out hot then there could be other things going on. Specifically, you could have a dirty or clogged dryer vent, which can be a dangerous situation.

There are some things you can do ensure that your dryer vent hose is ok. First, make sure that it is reaching all the way outside your home and that it’s not lying in any moisture. Next, examine your hose and make sure that it’s made of aluminum or galvanized steel and not plastic. Dust and lint can build up much easier in plastic hoses, which poses a higher risk for dryer vent fires.

Keep an eye on the vent hood to ensure that no birds or squirrels have built a nest in the area. Always clean your lint screen, as well, and of course, you can call a professional to get your dryer vent cleaned thoroughly and safely at least once a year. Click here to learn more about this important service.

As summer is winding down in the Portland/Vancouver area and we head towards the fall and winter months, there’s a good chance we’ll be starting to put our dryers through some heavy workloads. As people begin to bust out their sweaters, jackets, and blankets and flannel sheets, there is going to be more buildup than usual in our dryer vents.

A dirty dryer vent not only causes your dryer to work harder and therefore costs you more money, but it can also be a fire hazard. If it has been a while since your dryer vent was cleaned, then now might be a good time to get it done. If you’re not sure if your vent needs to be cleaned here are some signs to look for that may indicate it’s time to call in the professionals.

One sign that your dryer vent has too much lint built up is that it takes longer to dry your clothes than normal. Other signs to look for are lint buildup on the outside of your dryer or having very little or no lint on the lint screen. If your dryer suddenly stops in mid-cycle that is another sign that you need a dryer vent cleaning. One other common thing to look for is clothing that is very hot when you pull it out of the dryer.

If you’re ready to get your dryer vent cleaned, now might be a good time to contact a company that specializes in air duct cleaning and dryer vent cleaning. You can click here to learn more.