If you’ve owned a home for any length of time, the chances are you know that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to performing the right maintenance. Not only will your appliances last longer when you look after them properly, but the safety of your family and house could be compromised if you leave them unattended for a long enough time.
Dryer vents are a prime example of one of the things that require your attention so you can have peace of mind. There are a few red flags that will tell you the duct leading from the back of the unit might need to be cleaned out. First and foremost are longer drying times and the dryer shutting down during cycles due to tripping of the high temperature limit switch.
The idea is to solve the problem before it becomes a bigger issue by cleaning the dyer vent once a year as part of a regular maintenance routine. Disconnecting the duct and cleaning it is only part of what you’ll need to do here. The outdoor hood bird screen also needs to be attended to and of course regular cleaning of the dryer lint screens will ensure that everything stays in good and safe working order.
It’s important to be able to spot a problem and the build up of heat and humidity is a clear indicator that you need to look for lint blockage in the duct leading to the outside.
The length of this exhaust needs to be examined carefully as well. Adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions about the length and positioning of the duct work and spot any crimped or otherwise damaged lengths that need to be repaired.
Steamatic has been looking after the furniture, carpet and air duct cleaning and restoration needs of the business and residential community of Guelph since 1987. Owners Valerie Poulton and Peter Hutchison are proud of providing complete customer satisfaction to their residential, commercial and industrial clients. See their services online at www.steamatic.ca/guelph or call them at 519-836-7340.