Dryer Vent Cleaning in Lebanon, TN
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Step 1 of 3: Equipment
Cold vents make lint stick
Your dryer pushes out warm, damp air every time it runs. That air has to travel through a vent that sits inside cold walls or a cold attic, and on a winter night here, with temperatures averaging 31°F from December through February, the air cools fast once it hits the metal. Moisture beads up on the inside of the vent, and lint sticks to it instead of blowing straight out.
Layer by layer, that buildup narrows the vent. Air moves slower, so the dryer takes longer to dry a load and runs hotter doing it.
- 31°F
- the average winter night, and cold vents catch damp lint
- 7 months
- October through April, the vent stays cold
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NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020 normals
- How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
- Once a year is the general rule. The length and shape of your vent run matters too. A long run with a lot of turns traps more lint than a short, straight one, so it may need attention sooner.
- Can I clean my dryer vent myself?
- You can handle part of it, but not all of it. Pulling the dryer out and clearing lint from the first few feet of duct and the outside vent hood is something most homeowners can do with a vacuum and a brush kit. What you usually can't reach is lint packed deeper in the duct, especially if the run is long or goes through a wall or roof. A contractor has rods and equipment that reach the full length of the vent.
- What are the signs of a clogged dryer vent?
- Clothes take more than one cycle to dry, or come out hot instead of dry. The outside of the dryer feels hot to the touch, and the room where it sits gets warmer or more humid than usual. You may also notice less airflow at the outside vent hood when the dryer is running, or lint collecting around the vent opening. Any one of these on its own is worth a look, and if you're seeing more than one, the duct is likely blocked.