Dryer Vent Cleaning in Decatur, IL
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Step 1 of 3: Equipment
Cold air in the vent makes lint stick
Your dryer pushes out warm, damp air every time it runs. On a night that averages 22°F from December through February, that air cools fast once it hits the vent. Moisture beads up on the walls of the duct, and lint catches on it instead of blowing outside.
Over a winter that runs October through April, that buildup narrows the vent a little at a time. A dryer working against a blocked vent takes longer to dry a load and runs hotter than it should.
- 22°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 for most households. If you run a lot of loads, or the vent run is long or has several bends, check it sooner. Lint builds up inside the duct even when the lint trap gets cleaned every time, because the trap never catches all of it.
- Can I clean my dryer vent myself?
- You can clean the first few feet from the back of the dryer yourself, but most of the vent run is out of reach without the right brush and rod. Vent runs that go through a wall or up through a roof often have bends where lint collects, and pushing a vacuum hose in from one end usually just packs the lint tighter. A contractor has rods that reach the full length and can clear it from the outside vent hood in as well.
- What are the signs of a clogged dryer vent?
- Clothes take longer than one cycle to dry, or come out hot but still damp. The dryer itself may feel hot to the touch on top, and you may notice little to no air coming from the outside vent hood when the dryer is running. A burning smell is a sign to stop using the dryer and have the vent checked.