What’s that smell? Dealing with a foul odor in your Naples, Florida home is never pleasant. It’s especially troubling when the smell emanates from the appliance you use to dry your freshly cleaned clothing. If the stench seems to be coming from the dryer vent, it’s time to take swift action. Vent problems are the leading cause of the more than 15,000 clothes dryer fires reported each year. Here are three common issues that can make your dryer vent smell.

Lint Buildup

Your dryer’s lint trap is your first defense against smelly vents. Dirty or clogged filters allow lint to accumulate, posing fire hazards for you and your family. Add moisture to the mix, and the vent becomes a perfect breeding ground for insects. It’s critical to clean the dryer filter before and after each use. Use a small brush to remove as much lint as possible.

Damper Dangers

Installing a covering on the outside wall damper helps keep dirt and moisture out of the vent. If the damper doesn’t open when the dryer’s on, however, the resulting dryer vent smell is the least of your problems. Even a partially blocked vent raises the temperatures inside the exhaust vent, blower and tumbler. When overheated, the high-limit thermostat that helps protect you from fires can fail.

Lack of Maintenance

Like most of life’s modern conveniences, clothes dryers require regular maintenance to operate correctly. To safeguard your family, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends having your dryer serviced by a professional every year. Experienced technicians are familiar with all makes and models, and they have the tools it takes to ensure the job is done properly.

At Certified Heating and Cooling Inc., our dryer vent cleaning services keep clothes dryers in Southwest Florida homes running odor-free. Professional vent cleaning offers additional benefits too, including improved efficiency, a longer service life and protection against clothes dryer fires. To learn more about our dryer vent cleaning or to schedule service, call us today.