Dryer Vent Cleaning in Mobile, AL
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It takes about a minute.
Step 1 of 3: Equipment
Cold nights turn dryer lint into a damp buildup
Your dryer pushes out warm, damp air every time it runs. On a winter night in Mobile, with temperatures averaging 42°F, that air cools fast once it hits the vent. The moisture in it has somewhere to go, and lint sticks to damp walls a lot easier than dry ones.
That buildup narrows the vent a little more each time the dryer runs. Less air gets out, so your dryer works harder and takes longer to dry a load.
- 42°F
- the average winter night, and cold vents catch damp lint
- 5 months
- November through March, the vent stays cold
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NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020 normals
- How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
- Have it cleaned once a year. Lint builds up along the duct with regular use, and once a year keeps it from collecting to the point where airflow is restricted. A dryer that runs longer than it used to on a normal load is a sign the vent should be checked sooner.
- Can I clean my dryer vent myself?
- You can clean the lint trap and reach a few feet into the duct, but that is not the same as clearing the whole vent run. Most vents travel through a wall or the attic before reaching the outside hood, and lint collects along that whole path, not just near the dryer. A contractor uses a brush and vacuum built to reach the full length of the duct and clear the hood where it meets the outside wall. If the run is long or has more than a bend or two, have it looked at rather than assuming it is clear.
- What are the signs of a clogged dryer vent?
- Clothes that need a second cycle to dry, a dryer that feels hot on the outside, and a burning smell when it runs are the main signs. You might also notice little airflow at the outside vent hood while the dryer is going, or lint collecting around the hood flap instead of blowing clear. Any of these means air is not moving through the duct the way it should, and it is worth having checked before it gets worse.