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5 REASONS TO GET YOUR COMMERCIAL DRYER VENTS CLEANED

changescape • Apr 05, 2022

If you are the owner or manager of a business with an internal laundry, it’s important to make sure the washers and dryers are maintained and working properly. Laundromats, dry cleaners, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, salons, and other establishments usually have their own laundry area. Keeping them clean and regularly serviced can prevent problems from occurring.

Benefits of Cleaning Dryer Vents

Commercial laundries get a lot of use; much more than those in a residential home. Multiple daily loads of laundry produce a lot of lint and debris that can adhere to the vents’ interior walls. If this isn’t cleaned on a regular basis, issues will arise. 

Getting your commercial dryer vents professionally cleaned can reap benefits that more than compensates for the expense and time incurred. Below are five major reasons to keep those dryer vents clean and clear.

1. Safety

Commercial washers and dryers are more robust than those in homes. They can accommodate larger and more frequent loads of laundry. However, they do have limitations. Lint is highly flammable, which is why dryer manufacturers stress cleaning the filter after every load. 

Do you think every laundromat patron will be diligent enough to clean the lint filter when they’re done? What about all the extra lint produced by towels and linens washed in hotels and salons? Chances are, the lint filter is over-burdened. 

Even if the filters are cleaned regularly, a considerable amount of debris will get through to the vents and accumulate quickly. Lint is extremely flammable, so the buildup is a fire hazard. In fact, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, clothes dryers are responsible for more than 15,000 structure fires each year and 80% of those are due to clogged dryer vents. 

Three are also gasses and carbon monoxide that pass through the vents. If the vents are clogged, they can back up inside that could affect the interior air quality. 

2. Equipment Lifespan

When the dryer vents are clogged, it causes the machine to work a lot harder to get the clothes dry. Every appliance has its limitations; the more it runs, the sooner it will wear out. Dirty vents force the dryer to run longer and require multiple cycles to thoroughly dry the clothes than if the vents were free and clear.

3. Efficiency

As noted above, the dryer will run longer if the vents are dirty because sufficient hot air is not reaching it. This extra time required equates to more energy needed to operate the dryer. More energy means more money spent on utility bills. 

4. Mold

The dryer vent’s purpose is to pull in hot air and extract moisture from the clothes to dry them. If the dryer vents are clogged, some moisture can cling to the debris inside the vents, causing musty odors. Left untreated, these wet spots can lead to mold growth that can cause serious health risks. 

5. Air Quality

Clean dryer vents trap heat and humidity and pass them outside. Because lint and debris decrease the proper operation, this moisture and hot air are reverted back indoors. This results in a less comfortable environment throughout the building’s interior. 

The air conditioning system will also work harder to eliminate the heat and humidity to maintain the set temperature. Again, the harder an appliance works, the sooner it will break down. The more the AC runs, the higher your utility bills will be.

Signs Your Dryer Vents Need Cleaning

It is recommended to have your dryer vents cleaned on a regular basis. The frequency needed depends on the volume of laundry being done. Consult with a professional commercial dryer vent cleaning specialist to determine the recommended frequency for your needs. 

Regardless of the cleaning schedule, if you notice any of the following signs, you should call a professional to have them assess the situation.

  • The outside of the dryer is very hot.
  • It’s taking longer and longer to dry a load of laundry.
  • You notice a musty smell or burning odor emitting from the dryer.
  • The vent hood flap doesn’t open properly.
  • The laundry area is hot and humid.

Commercial Dryer Vents Need Professional Attention

Most homeowners can take some steps to keep their dryer vents clean if they so choose. Periodically, hiring a professional to clean dryer vents is still a good idea, however, to protect your home and family.

Commercial dryers, however, need professional vent cleaning because of their complex nature. It’s worthwhile to set up a regular cleaning schedule just as you would for other building maintenance tasks. 

Trust St. Louis Cleaning and Restoration to keep your commercial dryer vents clean and safe. We’ve been in the business of cleaning and restoring homes and businesses for over 30 years. Contact us for a free consultation and to schedule your dryer vent cleaning.

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