If a dryer vent is not regularly cleaned, lint can quickly build up on the inside of the ducting and begin to obstruct the air flow. This can cause overheating and possibly spark a fire. Another problem is that lint itself is a highly combustible material, in fact if you look on YouTube, you will find dozens of videos about using lint for fire starters.

Most dryer fires occur over the winter period, peaking in January, when homes are heated and the air is dry. This low humidity air causes static electricity build-up, which combined with a highly combustible material densely packed in an over-heated duct…. well, you get the picture.

A third concern is that, if the outside exhaust vent is not properly designed, birds or rodents can build nests in or cause damage to the venting system.For all these reasons, both NFPA and FEMA recommend that dryer vents be cleaned at least once a year in normal usage, and more frequently in heavy-use situations.

While much less catastrophic, there are also other reasons to clean out your dryer vents regularly. If you’ve noticed recently that your clothes are taking longer to dry than they used to, or if the clothes seem warmer than normal at the end of the cycle, a semi-clogged dryer vent may be the cause, leading to a longer drying cycle.

An inefficient dryer can cost you both time and money, tacking on as much as $20 a month to your utility bill. At that rate, having your dryer vent professionally cleaned would pay for itself in a few months, and then start actually saving you money!

A properly maintained vent system will also allow your dryer to operate properly, thus  extending its life, saving you even more money! Over time, a clogged dryer vent can also lead to moisture build-up on the walls and floor of your laundry room, potentially causing mold and mildew problems.