Welcome, fellow lint enthusiasts, to another exciting blog post from Rick Kelley Builders! Today, we're diving deep into a topic that might not be at the top of your home maintenance checklist but is crucial for your safety, energy efficiency, and even a little bit of humor – cleaning the lint out of your dryer ducts. So, grab your lint rollers and put on your detective hats, because we're about to uncover the secrets lurking in your dryer duct.
Lint, the tiny, fluffy villain that seems innocent enough, but it can wreak havoc on your dryer and your home if left unchecked.
The DIY vs. Professional: You can do a decent job of this yourself if you have an electric or battery-powered leaf blower, a wet towel, and the ability to slide your dryer out and disconnect the duct. In fact, I did it at my house today (see video) and this is how I did it:
Keep in mind this method does not actually scrub the sides of the pipe like a professional duct cleaning service would using a brush and vacuum system. If you are at all concerned about doing this yourself or are concerned that there is a lot of lint that is stuck to the side of the duct then a professional is required.
So, there you have it, folks – the lowdown on why cleaning your dryer ducts is essential to your health, your dryer's longevity, and your safety.
Lint, the tiny, fluffy villain that seems innocent enough, but it can wreak havoc on your dryer and your home if left unchecked.
- Fire Hazard: Let's start with the most crucial aspect – lint can be a fire hazard! Those cozy lint balls you've been ignoring are highly flammable. Over time, lint buildup can ignite and turn your laundry room or basement into a fiery inferno. By cleaning your dryer duct regularly, you're not just removing lint; you're preventing a potentially catastrophic fire. Did you know that between 2014 – 2018 local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 13,820 home structure fires PER YEAR in which dryers were involved in the ignition? Yeah, this is serious!
- Energy Drain: Lint isn't content with being a fire starter; it's also an energy vampire! A clogged dryer duct means your appliance must work harder, increasing your energy bills. Cleaning out the lint not only saves you money but also reduces your carbon footprint.
- Dryer Performance: Ever felt like your dryer is taking forever to do its job? Blame it on the lint! A blocked duct restricts airflow, making your dryer less efficient. Cleaning the duct is like giving your dryer a breath of fresh air – it'll dry clothes faster and more effectively, which means less waiting and more time for things you actually enjoy.
The DIY vs. Professional: You can do a decent job of this yourself if you have an electric or battery-powered leaf blower, a wet towel, and the ability to slide your dryer out and disconnect the duct. In fact, I did it at my house today (see video) and this is how I did it:
- Unplug the dryer and slide it out far enough that you can access the duct behind it.
- Detach the duct (likely some sort of clamp and/or tape). I also removed the louvered termination on the exterior of my home to allow for better airflow but this isn't absolutely necessary. If you have a screen though on the outside of your home covering the termination it must be removed for this to work.
- Get your battery-powered or electric leaf blower (DO NOT USE A GAS-POWERED leaf blower inside your home) and stick the business end inside the pipe and use a wet towel to seal around the pipe so you don't get covered in lint.
- Turn on the battery-powered or electric leaf blower and let it run for a minute or two.
- Reassemble everything just as you found it.
Keep in mind this method does not actually scrub the sides of the pipe like a professional duct cleaning service would using a brush and vacuum system. If you are at all concerned about doing this yourself or are concerned that there is a lot of lint that is stuck to the side of the duct then a professional is required.
So, there you have it, folks – the lowdown on why cleaning your dryer ducts is essential to your health, your dryer's longevity, and your safety.
This article is for general information purposes only. Rick Kelley Builders makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of any information contained herein.
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