Top Dryer-Related Issues and Dangers Due to Clogged or Dirty Dryer Ducts

Keeping your dryer ventilation system clean and clog-free does more than making your dryer more efficient.  It keeps your family safe and out of harm’s way.  Keep reading to learn the top dryer-related issues and dangers due to clogged or dirty dryer ducts and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.

A little lint in your dryer lint trap is harmless and easy to clean and it’s something you should do after every cycle.  The lint that’s clogging up the dryer duct, however, is a completely different story.  Below is a list of 5 issues you need to be aware of before it’s too late!

Issue #1:  Fire Hazard.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, here are some fast facts about home fires and their correlation to dryers, clogged or dirty dryer ducts, and vents:

• 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.
• Failure to clean the dryer (34 percent) is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires.
• More home clothes dryer fires occur in the fall and winter months, peaking in January.

To see more about these statistics, click HERE.

Issue #2:  Inefficiency.  Without the proper ventilation, your dryer will work harder and for longer without optimum results.  If you begin to notice that your clothes don’t seem to be dry at the end of the drying cycle, this could be a warning sign that your dryer ducts need some attention.

Issue #3:  Musty Odors.  With dryer inefficiency comes musty odors.  If you are like most people, you begin a load of laundry and then walk away to do something else.  Sometimes, we aren’t always there when the dryer stops.  This can be a problem for your clothes, especially when they sit in damp conditions for an extended period of time.  Damp conditions in the dark barrel of a dryer can result in clothing that smells musty.

Issue #4:  High Utility Bills.  If your dryer is working extra hard to dry clothes due to clogged dryer ducts, you can expect to pay higher energy bills because it will take longer and possibly more cycles to dry a single load of clothing. 

Issue #5:  Excessive Heat or Humidity.  When dryer ducts are clogged and dirty there is no way for heat and humidity to escape.  The only place it can go is back into your home.  With more heat and humidity entering your home, the harder your air conditioner will have to work to keep your home at a comfortable temperature – and that’s a BIG deal in Florida…especially during summer months!

Do yourself, your home, and your family a favor.  Get your dryer ducts cleaned and enjoy clean, dry clothes without the hassle of inefficiency or the threat of fire.  Schedule your appointment today by calling:  (727) 364-5158.