Frequently Asked Questions About Dryer Duct Cleaning

There are actually more than 15,500 clothes dryer fires every year and the majority of these fires are preventable with regular maintenance and cleaning of your dryer duct system in Ottawa. Clogged dryer vents will make the clothes dryer run considerably hotter and to dry the clothes your dryer must run for a longer period of time because the dryer is running poorly in this condition.

Here are some commonly asked questions regarding dryer vent cleaning and dryer lint removal.

Q. Why must I have my dryer vents cleaned?

A. The most important reasons are to prevent fires that can damage your property and cause harm to your family as well as to improve the efficiency of your dryer which will in turn reduce your energy consumption costs and dry your clothes faster. There are many other reasons including:

Q. How often should I have my dryer ducts cleaned?

A. Every household differs because of the frequency that you use your dryer as well as the way that your dryer vent system is setup (using the wrong materials for example can lead to more lint build-up).

The general rule of thumb with dryer vent cleaning in Ottawa is:

• 1-2 people in the household - clean every one to two years
• 3-5+ people in the household - clean every year

Q. Do I have to call an appliance technician or warranty service provider first?

A. Absolutely not. Appliance specialists will bill you money just for the service call and usually don't offer this kind of service. If you call them to repair your appliance, the first question they will ask is if you have recently had your dryer ducts cleaned. If the answer is no, they usually won't repair anything until you have your dryer vents cleaned first.

Q. Are there signs that my dryer ducts should be cleaned?

A. There are various signs that you should have your dryer vents cleaned including:

• Drying your clothes is taking longer than one cycle in order to dry each load
• You are noticing less lint (sometimes no lint) on the lint trap when you check
• You notice lint accumulation around the dryer vent hood (normally outside your home)
• Clothing is extremely hot following a drying cycle
• The surface of your dryer can be quite hot whilst in use
• You see excessive lint on your clothes
• You cannot remember when your dryer vent was last cleaned

Q. What are the main causes of dryer fires?

A. Dryer fires can be easily prevented by having one of our dryer duct cleaning experts properly clean your dryer vents. There are several reasons for dryer fires including:

• Clothes dryer vents fill up with lint which slips through the lint trap
• Dryer fires can happen as lint builds up within the dryer or in the dryer vent
• Lint can easily obstruct the movement of air, leading to excessive heat build up, occasionally causing a fire
• Lint is incredibly flammable – mix that with the above mentioned and it could lead to a disaster