Protect Your Home: 5 Signs Your Dryer Vent Needs Cleaning

There’s a variety of maintenance tasks that should be on every homeowner’s checklist, but one of the most essential is often the most overlooked. Dryer vent cleaning accomplishes more than increased dryer efficiency; it can protect your home from a fire risk. Let J R Air Duct Cleaning help you avoid becoming a statistic with our trusted dryer vent cleaning services. In this article, we’ll look at five signs your dryer vent is due for a cleaning.

1. Longer Than Usual Drying Times

One of the most common signs that your dryer vent is due for cleaning is when your dryer takes longer than normal to dry your laundry completely. If you notice an increase in the length of your dry cycles or your laundry still feels damp at the end of a dry cycle, your dryer vent likely needs cleaning.

2. Overly Hot Laundry Room

Another indication that your dryer vent needs professional cleaning is when you notice that your laundry room feels overly hot while the dryer is running. A clogged dryer vent reduces the airflow, causing your dryer to overheat. An overheating dryer will also make your laundry area feel hotter.

3. Excessive Lint Buildup

Your lint trap should be cleaned out after every dry cycle, but that isn’t always enough. If you notice excessive lint accumulating on the lint trap or around your dryer, that could indicate a problem. Dryer lint is flammable and is a leading cause of house fires.

4. Musty-Smelling Clothes

Sometimes, the first sign of a clogged dryer vent is the musty odor that your dryer emits into the air and even leaves on your clothes. The trapped moisture of a clogged dryer vent can create a damp environment that becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew to thrive. 

5. Visible Debris outside the Vent

You likely have a clogged dryer vent if you notice visible lint or other debris around the exterior dryer vent opening. When lint accumulates and the hot air cannot escape freely, your dryer vent poses a serious risk of fire and needs to be cleaned out promptly.

Request a Quote for Cleaning

J R Air Duct Cleaning recommends that you schedule dryer vent cleaning annually to keep your dryer operating efficiently and avoid a fire risk. Contact us today at (201) 335-2524 if you would like to request a quote or book your service now. We serve residents in Bergen County, New Jersey, and the surrounding regions, including Essex County, Passaic County, Little Ferry, Alpine, Mahwah, Saddle River, Tenafly, Paramus, Caldwell, and beyond.