For many homeowners, cleaning the dryer vent falls to the bottom of the maintenance checklist, somewhere between washing the windows and dusting the baseboards. But overlooking a dryer vent can create bigger problems over time, including higher energy bills, unnecessary wear on appliances and increased fire risk.
To help homeowners understand when dryer vent maintenance may be needed, Warmstead owner and CEO Ande Grantham outlined several warning signs of restricted airflow. Warmstead is a Waynesville-based chimney and fireplace company and a member of the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He said dryer vent problems are often mistaken for appliance problems, especially when clothes begin taking longer to dry.
Why dryer vent maintenance matters
Cleaning the lint trap after every laundry load is important, but even if you do that regularly, plenty of fine debris still makes its way into the dryer vent line. Over time, dust, pet hair and fabric fibers can collect deeper inside the system, restricting airflow.
Grantham says one of the clearest warning signs of a clogged dryer vent is when clothes start taking longer to dry…