How A Dirty Dryer Vent Can Lead To Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Got a gas-powered dryer in your home? One of the responsibilities you need to do is this machine’s regular cleaning. Not only will it ensure its longevity, but it will also prevent creating a health hazard for you and your loved ones.

Professional Ashburn dryer vent cleaning services know how crucial their job is. Did you know that according to research, more than 2,000 people in America die of carbon monoxide poisoning? And the majority of the cases are caused by gas-power home appliances.

How Dangerous Carbon Monoxide Is

Considered to be extremely dangerous, carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas that can be found in fumes when fuel is burned in vehicles, stoves, fireplaces, furnaces, and other devices.

If there’s a significant build-up of this gas in enclosed spaces (like your home), it can poison people and animals who inhale it. Some of the CO poisoning symptoms you have to watch out for include:

Headache and dizziness

Weakness

Confusion

Vomiting and upset stomach

Chest pain

Can Dryer Vents Really Lead to CO Poisoning

A dryer is a home appliance we regularly use. Over time, its vent can get clogged with all the lint that comes off your household’s clothes. If this is not immediately addressed, carbon monoxide coming from the machine won’t be able to escape properly, causing its build-up. These gases can eventually seep out of your vent, then into your laundry area and other parts of your house.

The Importance of Regular Cleaning

Many homeowners neglect the issue of clogged dryer vents. But as how Ashburn dryer vent cleaning companies can testify, resolving this concern as soon as possible can save you a lot of money.

Apart from carbon monoxide poisoning, there are other alarming consequences related to unclean dryer vents, such as:

Fire accidents. Lint from clothes are highly flammable. Excessive build-up of these materials can ignite a fire and engulf not only your machine and laundry room but other parts of your home as well.

High utility bills. Clogged dryer vents cause your machine to perform more slowly than usual. With prolonged use, it will cause your utility bills to increase significantly.

Faster machine wear-and-tear. The more frequent the dryer is running, the faster its wear-and-tear process will be. Its life won’t be maximized and you’d have to spend money either on its repair or replacement.

Signs You’re Dryer Already Needs Cleaning and Servicing

Experts recommend having your dryer professionally cleaned at least once a year. But depending on your usage and the load of your laundry, it can be more frequent than this. Here are some tell-tale signs your dryers need to be serviced by an Ashburn dryer vent cleaning company.

Slower drying time. As mentioned above, you’d need more cycles in order to dry your clothes using a dryer with a clogged vent.

Unusual odor. If you notice a burning smell on the clothes you’re drying, chances are, your vent is not being properly ventilated.

Excessively hot laundry room temperature. As hot air couldn’t escape from your dryer, expect that the temperature in your laundry area will go higher than the usual.

Aside from lower fire risk, Ashburn dryer vent cleaning also has a good number of benefits. Contact us today at JCS Home Services for more information.

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