Dryer Vent Cleaning Mistakes You Should Avoid. Throughout the experience of homeownership, living in your house will teach you that there is much to learn when it comes to keeping everything orderly and safe.
Regardless of how big your home is or how long you’ve lived in it, there will always be an assortment of tasks that you’ll need to take care of and deal with. From daily tasks like cleaning countertops to monthly general cleaning efforts, the fact of the matter is that keeping your home intact entails doing the right things at the proper times.
Beyond the chores that you’re familiar with and already do, one particular task that you’ve probably heard of minimally up to this point is cleaning your dryer vent. Admittedly, not everyone knows about cleaning these inconspicuous parts of a home simply because they don’t frequently discuss it as other chores like cutting grass or scrubbing tiles.
However, it’s important to ensure that you do end up keeping up with your dryer vent-related duties because of the hazards associated with failing to do so. But there’s an even bigger set of reasons that will have you cleaning your vents correctly at all costs because of how dangerous they can be: the mistakes that you need to avoid.
Dryer Vent Cleaning Mistakes You Should Avoid
- Not cleaning the dryer vent at all: Many people neglect to clean their dryer vents altogether, which can lead to a buildup of lint and debris, and increase the risk of a house fire.
- Using the wrong tools: It’s important to use the right tools when cleaning a dryer vent. A vacuum cleaner or a leaf blower may seem like good choices, but they can actually push the lint further into the vent, making the problem worse.
- Not disconnecting the dryer: In order to properly clean the dryer vent, you need to disconnect the dryer from the power source. Failure to do so could result in injury or damage to the dryer.
- Failing to inspect the vent: Before you begin cleaning the vent, it’s important to inspect it thoroughly to see if there are any signs of damage or wear and tear. If there are, you may need to replace the vent before cleaning it.
- Not cleaning the vent from both ends: Dryer vents have two openings: one at the dryer and one outside. It’s important to clean both ends of the vent in order to ensure that all of the lint and debris is removed.
- Not cleaning the vent regularly: It’s important to clean your dryer vent on a regular basis (at least once a year) in order to prevent the buildup of lint and debris. Neglecting to do so can increase the risk of a house fire and decrease the efficiency of your dryer.
Fumbles to Forego
Although it’s pretty established that unkept dryers are one of the biggest household fire hazards in all of Canada, the mistakes homeowners can make when cleaning them are just as if not more dangerous.
Unfortunately, far too many homeowners unwittingly put themselves in precarious situations because they don’t know that they’re clearing things out wrong. If you want to protect your home from unexpected blazes that can have it in flames, here are the different mistakes that you need to avoid at all costs:
1. Failing to Inspect Your Dryer Vent for Damage
Dryer ducts unbeknownst to most people can be quite susceptible to damage that occurs with frequent use and formerly periodic cleaning. Failing to inspect these problems can inadvertently put a home at much more serious risk simply because of how hot the system itself can get especially when you don’t fix the damage.
Whenever you have your duct thoroughly cleaned, it’s essential that you inspect its surface for any form of damage that can cause it to malfunction somewhere down the line. If you don’t know what you need to find when checking your dryer vent, then all you should keep an eye out for is the presence of any tears or cracks—all of which you must fix ASAP!
2. Leaving Your Dryer Vent Plugged during a Clean
It may not seem like much at first, but keeping a dryer vent plugged during a thorough cleaning can lead to some serious complications and risks. When you leave the plug on, anyone cleaning your home’s vent is at greater risk of being electrocuted.
When someone at home is working on a vent-related task, the last thing you want to happen to them is to get hurt. Before you bring your hired service professional to your dryer vent when they arrive, you should unplug it during the day of your scheduled service to minimize risk.
3: Cleaning Your Dryer Vents Yourself
Although you might think you can do your dryer vent cleaning yourself with a video tutorial on YouTube and a few tools you got from Amazon, DIY-ing the job isn’t ideal. For homes that have much longer dryer vents, jury-rigged cleans can spell disaster because of the complexities that come with such situations and the higher risk of damage present.
By enlisting the services of a professional like Can Do Duct Cleaning, however, you won’t have to worry about putting yourself or your home at risk. That way, you can get some maintenance done while we’re there!
4: Can dryer vent cleaning cause damage?
If done properly, dryer vent cleaning should not cause damage. However, there is a risk of causing damage if the cleaning is done incorrectly or with improper tools. For example, using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment or a leaf blower can push lint further into the vent or damage the vent itself. Additionally, if the vent is damaged or worn, attempting to clean it may cause further damage.
It’s important to hire a professional or follow proper cleaning procedures to minimize the risk of damage. A professional dryer vent cleaner will have the proper tools and knowledge to safely and effectively clean the vent without causing damage. It’s also important to inspect the vent before cleaning to ensure it is in good condition and to address any necessary repairs before cleaning.
Conclusion
Failing to clean your home’s dryer vent is a misstep that can lead to serious consequences and a potential house fire but bigger dangers come when you make mistakes while cleaning things up. By watching out for the three typical fumbles mentioned above, you can help ensure that your home is protected from all possible risks of fires. At the same time, you’re keeping yourself and your actual ducts safe!
For dryer vent cleaning, central vac cleaning, and duct cleaning in Oshawa, Ontario, and the Greater Toronto Area, Can Do Duct Cleaning is the best choice for you. Let us help you make your household a healthier and purer place to live. Contact us today!