Is that smoke? Signs you should clean your dryer vent in Atlanta metro

The United States Fire Administration claims that about 2900 fires are caused by malfunctioning dryer vents per year, leading to 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and 35 million dollars in property damage. According to their study, 34 percent of these accidental fires could have been avoided with proper maintenance. Now that the winter season is almost upon us, the USFA warns homeowners to be extra vigilant, since dryer vent fires often peak during November and the later weeks of January.

To keep you informed of possible hazards caused by dirty dryer vents, our company has compiled a shortlist of warning signs to watch out for.

Clothes take longer to dry

Does it take one or more cycles to completely dry out your clothes? This is most likely caused by a build-up of lint that prevents air from circulating in your dryer. It is also important to keep in mind that unwanted moisture on clothes can lead to a breakout of mold and mildew, thereby causing even more damage to your property and your family’s health.

The dryer feels too warm

When you flinch from the heat every time you touch the dryer’s interior tub, this might be a sign of full vent blockage. If that’s the case, we recommend that you contact our specialists to prevent any possible fires that could be created by clumps of fabric debris. The friction caused by the interior tub during the spin cycle can cause heat to build up within the vent, which will eventually lead to dangerous sparks.

A strong, musty smell infects your laundry room

Once you sense a strong musty order wafting through the laundry room, accompanied by the faint smell of smoke, this means that a professional needs to inspect the dryer vent as soon as possible. If this happens during the cycle, power down the dryer immediately, then contact our friendly specialists for assistance.

Atlanta Air Experts specializes in dryer vent cleaning, mold mitigation, HVAC services, and a host of maintenance solutions. Keep your home and family safe. Speak to our representatives for more information (contact-us-hvac-cleaning-vent-cleaning-milton-atlanta-cumming-ga).