4 Common Causes of Dryer Vent Blockages
Dryer vents are an indispensable part of your laundry routine. They allow for seamless airflow so your clothes, linens, and other items can be thoroughly dried. However, dryer vent blockages make this task impossible to complete. That said, you’re probably wondering how these dryer vent blockages even happen. There are actually quite a few causes of this phenomenon that you can learn more about in this blog.
1. Poor Vent Installation
The most basic cause of dryer vent blockages is poor dryer vent installation. If your dryer vent was installed improperly, it will be more likely to deal with blockages and clogs, leading to all kinds of problems for your dryer.
2. High Moisture Levels
If moisture levels are able to rise in your dryer vent, you will definitely be dealing with dryer vent blockages in the future. The presence of moisture can be the result of having a dryer vent that connects outdoors, exposing this appliance part to humidity and other weather conditions that allow lint to become damp.
3. Excessive Lint
The most straightforward and common cause of a blocked dryer vent is excessive lint accumulation. For this reason, you should always clean your dryer’s lint trap after every cycle. You will also avoid dealing with a potential dryer fire if you remove lint after every use of your dryer, as dryer fires are considered one of the top causes of house fires. Ultimately, you will avoid a blocked dryer vent and a fire at the same time.
4. Foreign Object or Animal in Vent
Always empty your pockets before putting clothes in the washer and dryer. Loose change, gum, and other items can fall out and block the dryer vent. Additionally, an animal might have started to make itself at home in your dryer vent, so it’s worth checking to see if any critters are present so they can be humanely removed.
Signs of Dryer Vent Blockages
While you are now familiar with the causes of a blocked dryer vent, you might want to know how to tell if that’s happening at all. Here are signs that you might be dealing with a clogged dryer vent:
Longer Drying Times
Are your clothes taking more than 30-45 minutes to dry? If you use a longer drying cycle, is that failing to dry your laundry thoroughly? Chances are, a blocked dryer vent is to blame for this situation. The long drying time is due to the limited amount of air available to dry your laundry properly. Once you have your dryer vent cleaned out, you can expect the drying times to return to their normal duration.
Debris Appears Outside Vent Opening
Are stray pieces of debris appearing outside the dryer vent opening? It usually means your dryer vent is so clogged it’s overflowing. You will want to call a technician to clean and unclog it completely so you can safely return to using your dryer.
Overheating
An early warning sign of a clogged dryer vent is an overheating dryer. When your dryer starts feeling unusually hot, stop running it and have the dryer vent checked. Hopefully, you will be able to nip this issue in the bud before it worsens.
Call Our Dryer Vent Cleaning Team Today!
Now that you know the causes and signs of clogged dryer vents, you know what to do to prevent blockages in the future. If, however, you find yourself dealing with this predicament despite your best efforts, you have allies in our corner: our technicians at Fresh Air Duct Cleaning. Whether you’re in the Greater Houston area or located in DFW, our team is here to keep your dryer vent in stellar working shape, so contact us today.