It is important for you to clean your dryer vent regularly. Dryer vents are important not only for the efficiency of your dryer but also for safety reasons. A dirty dryer vent is one of the most common causes of fires in homes every year, and that is why you need to make sure you clean your dryer vent frequently. You need to clean your dryer vents at least once per year, and there are several important tips you should keep in mind. Take a look at a few important points below, and reach out to the team from Comfort Systems if you have questions about your dryer vent.

1. Get the Necessary Supplies and Unplug the Dryer

First, you need to make sure that you have the necessary supplies. To clean your dryer vent, you will need a vacuum with a hose attachment, electrical tape or duct tape, a broom with a dustpan, a wet wipe, and a flexible rod cleaner.

Do not forget that you also need to unplug the dryer and remove it from the wall. If it is a gas dryer, you need to turn off the gas valve as well. Do not forget that you need to disconnect the dryer duct. You can find this located on the back of the dryer itself.

2. Vacuum the Vent

Next, you need to vacuum the vent. Turn on the vacuum cleaner, and make sure you have a hose attachment available. You need to suction the entrance to the dryer vent itself, and do not forget to poke it inside the exhaust duct. You need to vacuum as much as you can. You might want to keep an eye on the material as it enters the house. This will give you a good feel for when you have done the best you can with your vacuum.

3. Use a Flexible Rod

Even though you might think you are done right now, that is not the case. You need to use a flexible rod to go deeper into the dryer vent itself. It is helpful if you have a flexible rod that is at least 12 ft long. There should be multiple rods you can combine together, and you should also apply some electrical tape to the rods. That way, there is no chance that they will fall apart as you are cleaning the dryer vent. Apply a rotating brush to the rod, and make sure you remove as much as possible.

4. Clean Up the Mess

Once you feel like you have removed as much as you possibly can, it is time to clean up the debris. There will probably be a lot of lint on the floor, so use the vacuum or broom to clean up the mess around. If there is any residue left behind, you may want to use some soapy water to clean up what is left. Do not forget that you should take a closer look at the lint catch. Make sure it is clean.

5. Put the Dryer Back in Place

Finally, make sure you put everything back in place before you finish up. Put the dryer vent back together, plug the dryer back in, and move the dryer against the wall once again. You may also want to take a closer look at the exterior vent before you do so. There is a chance that there could be some dust or debris on the exterior, and a wet wipe should be enough to remove anything that is present. Make sure everything is working exactly as it should before you walk away.

Contact Comfort Systems Today With Any Questions or Concerns

At Comfort Systems, it would be our pleasure to help you with your dryer cleaning needs. If you clean your dryer vent regularly, you can keep your lint screen clean while also extending the lifespan of your dryer. At the same time, you need to make sure you have the right cleaning materials, techniques, and equipment, and our team can help you with that. Reach out to us today to speak to a member of our team, and schedule an appointment with our experts.

Posted in Dryer Vents