Spring is on its way, and with it comes mating season for all the local birds.
This may seem like an issue completely unrelated to duct cleaning, but it’s actually not.
Each spring, birds start to build nests in preparation for laying eggs and raising baby birds. But sometimes in the quest for a safe spot, birds choose dryer vent openings as the location for their new nest. Birds tend to like dryer vent openings because they are somewhat sheltered and typically away from common predators.
Although your backyard birds may be thrilled to take up residence in your dryer vent, this can cause big problems for homeowners. The nest materials birds use tend to clog your dryer vent quickly, filling it with grass, debris from your yard, and all of the usual lint that is supposed to move through the line. If you aren’t regimented about cleaning out the lint trap, that adds more debris to the line on top of what the birds contributed.
All of this is a recipe for a clogged dryer vent. If you notice that your clothing is not getting as dry as it should during a normal cycle, this is a good indicator that you may need to take a closer look for clogs. But dry clothing is not the only thing at stake.
Clogged dryer vents are one of the leading causes of house fires in the United States, so if you believe that your vent may be obstructed, you should take it seriously.
As a preventative measure, you could install a cage or screen over your dryer vent opening to prevent birds from nesting there. Although our company doesn’t install these, they are fairly easy to put in and available at most hardware stores or on the internet.
But if you forgo installing something to keep them out, be on the lookout for these signs that your dryer vent may be clogged:
- Clothing not getting dry despite running your typical dryer cycle
- Not seeing any lint escaping from the dryer vent opening
- Musty smells in your dryer and/or on your clothing after it comes out of your dryer
Spring is the most common time that we see these clogs, so stay vigilant and prevent fires in your home! Call our company (or another reputable duct cleaner if you aren’t local to us) to schedule a dryer vent cleaning at (513)737-3200.