It’s worth the repair cost to have a properly working and cleared dryer vent. A blocked or damaged dryer vent can cost you more than just the money you lose as the dryer loses efficiency. A dryer vent that doesn’t work properly can start a fire or cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

There are two ways to maintain your dryer ducts and vents—and both are well worth the cost. It’s important to clean your ducts and to take care of any repairs.

 

Keeping Dryer Ducts Clean and in Good Repair

 

According to the United States National Fire Protection Association, clothes dryers and washing machines caused one out of 22 fires in U.S. homes between 2006 and 2010. Of the two, dryers are the more dangerous appliance, causing 92% of those house fires. 32% of clothes dryer fires were caused by a failure to clean the dryer or washer properly, 22% were caused by a mechanical failure or malfunction, and 8% were sparked by electrical failure or malfunction.

 

Signs of a Clogged or Damaged Vent

 

If you noticed that your dryer does not dry your clothes as quickly or as well as it used to, it’s time to call an expert. It could be that the duct or vent is blocked or damaged. This causes the humid, moist air to stay in your dryer, keeping your clothes soggy longer. This problem has long-term consequences since running your dryer for longer cycles has a direct impact on the life of your clothes dryer.

 

You may notice that you have the opposite problem with your clothes at the end of a trip around the dryer. Instead of moist, your clothes come out sizzling hot. This is also a sign that your dryer vent needs to be inspected for a block or damage. This is another problem that can shorten the life of your dryer since the heating element may work harder and burn out even faster than it would have otherwise.

 

Sometimes, something will get caught in your dryer vent or duct, causing a burning smell when you start the dryer. Turn off your dryer immediately, unplug it, and call your laundry appliance repair expert right away.

 

Choosing the Right Repair Company

 

Thanks to the internet, it’s easier than ever before to search for local appliance repair companies, wherever you are in the GTA. When you search, be sure to read testimonials and read reviews on independent websites. This will give you an idea of the quality of work, the politeness of the workers, and policies about post-work clean up.

 

Also compare the cost of repair. Although you can’t get an exact estimate until a professional has looked at your dryer vent, you can check the billing practices of different companies. Some will charge by the hour while others offer a flat rate for labour costs.

 

Dryer vent repairs are well worth the cost since a blocked or damaged dryer vent can cause serious damage to your home and to your family’s health.