Get matched with top dryer vent cleaners in Hamburg, IA

At a minimum, you should clean your dryer vent at least once a year. You may need to clean the dryer vent more often, such as every six months, if your dryer sees frequent or daily use. If you have young children or pets, you may need to clean the vent quarterly. 

There are a few signs that tell you it's time to clean your vent. If your clothes are very hot when they come out of the dryer or it's taking longer than usual for clothes to dry, the vents need cleaning.

Call 911 immediately. If you have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket near the laundry room, you can attempt to extinguish the fire, but don’t open or touch the dryer. If you can’t put the fire out, evacuate yourself, your family, and your pets from the house, closing the laundry room door behind you. Turn off the electricity to your home via the outside fuse box, then wait for the fire department. After a dryer fire, have your home’s electrical system inspected to make sure there isn’t any damage.

Exhaust systems should be inspected annually to prevent efficiency loss and address any arising mechanical issues.

Signs that your dryer is about to catch fire include a burning smell or the dryer and the clothes getting hotter than usual. If this happens, turn the dryer off immediately and call a repair professional. Another less urgent sign is that your clothes are taking longer to dry than normal. If this is the case, check the lint trap, vent, and duct to make sure they are all clean. If they are, you may need to call a pro to find the source of the issue.