Extended Drying Times
Do your clothes take forever to dry when running the clothes dryer? Well, you are certainly not alone! This is one of the most common complaints we receive and is usually a solid indication that the dryer vent is clogged or dirty. Typically, clothes should be drying in 30-45 minutes for a standard load of laundry. Every week, we receive complaints about clothes taking 2-3 hours to dry! Rather than replacing your entire clothes dryer, reach out to us for a free quote to have your dryer vent cleaned!
Lint Build Up
One of the biggest reasons for an increase in drying times is excess lint build up. Over time, your dryer lint will adhere to the side of the vent and continue to build up over time. As the lint is being expelled from the dryer, it will stick to the other pieces on the vent wall, slowly becoming a 100% clog.
The problem with excess lint build up is poor air flow. As lint begins to build up along the walls of the vent, the interior diameter of the vent slowly decreases. If the vent becomes smaller and smaller, it is more challenging for the exhausted air to flow outside. This is one of the most important aspects of dryer vent cleaning – removing excess lint from the vent. If you can’t remember the last time your vent was cleaned, fill out our contact form and we can give you a free quote!
Birds Nests
We come across nesting birds in dryer vents almost every week. Not everybody has a bird guard or cage installed around their dryer vent, making an easy access point for birds to nest. They prefer dark, warm places to nest and lay eggs, so the dryer vent is an ideal location. Over time, the birds nest will grow, increasing the amount of sticks, dirt, debris, and twigs in the dryer vent. If left unattended for too long, it will become a 100% block and no air will be able to flow through the vent.
Birds nests need to be removed as soon as possible, as they can also catch fire very easily. Birds tend to use dry, brittle material for their nests, so ensuring your vent is clear will help to reduce the risk of a house fire. If you do not have a birds nest around your dryer vent, you can install one yourself as it is a simple DIY project. If you need help, however, we’d love to install one for you. We use a product called The Defender from Inovate which is one of the best products on the market!
Long Transition Hose
A transition hose is a piece of dryer vent that runs from the back of the dryer to the rigid duct that runs through your wall to the outside world. The transition hose is often a flexible piece of tubing, but is oftentimes far too long. The transition hose should be as short as possible without any superfluous bends or turns. If the transition hose is far too long, it will be difficult for adequate airflow to run through the vent to the exterior of the home. If you shorten your transition hose, you can see a dramatic increase in airflow.
Final Thoughts
If your clothes are taking a long time to dry, you may be overdue for a dryer vent cleaning service. Check your exterior dryer vent for any birds nests or excess dryer lint. If you notice these things, you can do your best to remove them, but you may be in need of a professional cleaning service.
If you live in the Northern Delaware area, we’d love to help you out with a free, virtual quote. If you fill out our contact form, we will get back to you the same day with some great information!