Chimney Services » Dryer Vent Maintenance
Our Company Blog
by Mike O'Mara | Feb 11, 2019 | Dryer Vent Maintenance
Most homeowners know that many things around their house need annual inspections and maintenance. With help from a professional, you can ensure your household stays in tip-top shape all year long, and you’ll get the most from all of your appliances, too.
Now, if you’ve worked with the team here at Weststar Chimney Sweeps in the past, you know that you can count on us to handle all of your fireplace and chimney care, ensuring a safer burning season, no matter what. But did you know that we can clean your dryer vents, too? Count on our CSIA certified technicians to get the job done right.
A More Efficient Appliance
If your dryer has not been giving you the fast, efficient results you expect, your first assumption might be that the appliance itself is at fault. Well, if longer than normal drying times is the problem, then there is a good chance the issue lies with the vents. Clogged and dirty vents can hinder airflow, causing your clothes to take abnormally long to dry.
No one wants to spend all day waiting on one load of laundry, so schedule that vent cleaning today to get the what you need from your appliance. You will also notice less lint in and around the dryer, and those musty odors should go away, too.
A Safer Appliance
Another major reason why dryer vent cleanings are important is because they keep your home safer. Did you know that thousands of house fires are caused by dirty dryer vents? When they clog up, your appliance overheats making your more prone to fires. Since the lint your dryer produces is extremely flammable, this puts you and your family members in quite a dangerous scenario!
A simple cleaning could save you hundreds, or possibly thousands in repair costs and it keeps your family safer. If you notice excess heat in your laundry room, or if the appliance itself seems extra hot, get your vents checked as soon as possible. It’s not worth taking any chances!
Along with this, backed up vents can cause carbon monoxide to enter your home. Carbon monoxide is one of the deadliest gases, and it is colorless and odorless — making it that much more threatening. Avoiding it at all costs is vital for staying healthy, which is why annual maintenance is so important for all gas appliances.
It is also a good idea to invest in carbon monoxide detectors for your home. They are affordable and efficient, when properly maintained, and they could save a life should harmful fumes enter the property.
Ready To Get Started?
Ready to ensure your dryer runs well for the long haul? Count on our team to help you out. Call now to set up your appointment.
by Mike O'Mara | Jul 31, 2018 | Dryer Vent Maintenance
Are you overdue for a dryer vent cleaning? You’re not alone, and many homeowners underestimate the importance of investing in this regular maintenance. Unfortunately, this type of neglect can lead to some very serious and life-threatening issues down the line! Give the team at Weststar Chimney Sweeps a call right away, so we can help you out. It’s a decision you won’t regret!
Not A Do-It-Yourself Job
So, why can’t a homeowner attempt the cleaning process themselves? Well, they can, but they aren’t likely going to get as good of results. To properly clean out your vents, you need a wide range of special equipment, and our sweeps have gone through extensive training to ensure they use everything correctly. Simply taking the vents apart and vacuuming them with an extension hose won’t get the process done completely, and you’ll still be facing many hazardous risks!
The tools we use ensure every nook and cranny is taken care of, and we guarantee we can get around even the tightest turns and twists quickly and effectively. We’ll also check all the connections, so you’ll know you’re getting the most from your appliance after we’ve looked everything over. There’s no reason not to get an appointment on the books today!
Now, you may be wondering why investing in this service is such an important step in home care. First of all, dirty and clogged up vents are known for triggering thousands of fires across the United States every single year. This results in multiple deaths, hundred of injuries, and thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of damage.
If the heat and fumes from your dryer cannot vent properly, they’ll build up and catch the flammable lint on fire. With all that extra kindling around, it takes no time for this fire to spread, and you may lose an enormous amount depending on how slowly or quickly flames get extinguished. It’s definitely not worth taking any chances, especially when it comes to keeping your loved ones safer.
Along with this, you’ll be more likely to face carbon monoxide exposure, which can be deadly when not addressed in a prompt fashion. Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous to those without carbon monoxide detectors throughout their home, as the gas itself is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Without anything to alert people within the property, they’ll have no way to indicate whether or not they’ve been exposed! The only hope would be that symptoms were caught in time, giving them a chance to get out of the home and call for help, but this is a risky situation, indeed.
Count On Our Team
Ensure you have clear pathways for fumes and vapors to escape by calling in our CSIA certified crew right away. We’ll give you the peace of mind you deserve, so you can rest easier all year long! Contact our staff, and we’ll get an appointment on the books. There’s no time to waste!
by Mike O'Mara | Sep 18, 2017 | Dryer Vent Maintenance
Many homeowners are becoming more and more aware of the importance of dryer vent cleaning. Unfortunately, we hear too many stories of people trying to save money by buying do-it-yourself cleaning kits. Trust us when we say, this isn’t the way to go! You’ll take on a lot of hassle and stress. In addition, you’ll be frustrated when you’re faced with poor results (costing your more money down the line).
Cons Of Dryer Vent Cleaning Kits
In some situations a dryer vent cleaning kit may do an alright job. Yet, for most, more heavy duty equipment is needed. Venting systems in a home can be long, intricate, and winding. With that in mind, the tools that come in these do-it-yourself kits just can’t get the job done right! The rods won’t stretch far enough, they can’t adjust to the many twists and turns, and often times they get stuck (meaning you’ll end up needing professional help in the end anyway).
On top of this, many homeowners just push all of the lint to the back of the vent, failing to actually remove it. This causes bigger clogs to form, and you’ll end up with even more problems than you started out with. In the end, you’ll need someone certified to get the clogs out, meaning you’re out a lot of money. Invest in a pro from the start, and you’ll be happy you did!
What To Expect From Us
When you choose Weststar Chimney Sweeps, you can rest easy knowing you’ve picked the best of the best. Our certified and trained technicians have the tools, expertise, and professionalism that you’re looking for, and we ensure all of the connections are working properly before leaving the job site. No matter what your dryer vent has in store for us, we can get you taken of!
What To Expect From Your Dryer
Many question whether or not dryer vent cleaning really makes a difference. Will the dryer really run that much better? Is it worth the money? The short answer is yes! If your dryer needs to run multiple times to dry a load of laundry, then something isn’t right. A lot of times, all these systems need is a good cleaning to run more efficiently, saving you time and stress. And it lowers your energy bills, too!
When you schedule a cleaning, your clothes will dry in no time and you won’t see as much of an increase in your monthly bills. And did you know it makes your home safer, too? Dryers are known for causing thousands of house fires every single year! It’s definitely not worth the risk when it comes to the wellbeing of your loved ones.
To top it off, many times homeowners think the dryer is the issue, when all they needed was to invest in us! Before you go out and buy a whole new appliance, let us look things over. Your problems made be solved quickly and easily with just one visit from us. The best part is, we’re here for you year after year, so you can schedule your annual cleaning with Weststar Chimney Sweeps every time! Make us your one stop shop for it all. Call today!
by Mike O'Mara | Jun 5, 2017 | Dryer Vent Maintenance
Have you been having problems with your dryer? Maybe your clothes aren’t drying in one load… or you could have issues with lint showing up everywhere. Some homeowners complain about excessive heat coming from the dryer or clothes being extra hot when the cycle is finished.
Whatever the problem is, it’s clear that something isn’t running efficiently. If you notice any of these signs, chances are you need some help from a certified professional. Weststar Chimney Sweeps knows all there is to know when it comes to inspecting and cleaning your system! Keep reading to learn more about what we can do for you.
Ensuring Correct Installation
One thing we may check is that everything was installed correctly. Improper installation can lead to countless issues (and headaches), and we want all of our customers to be able to use their appliances with ease. If the ducts or venting systems were installed poorly, we can find the problem and make any necessary corrections.
Sloppy installation jobs can lead to inefficiency and they can put your home and family at risk, as well. Let us take a look so that you have a clear picture of just how exactly your system is setup. We can’t wait to help you soon!
Cleaning Your Dryer Vents
Another important service to invest in is dryer vent cleaning. Thousands of homeowners per year face hazardous situations due to clogged up vents. Overheating puts you at a higher risk for house fires, and toxins will likely back up into your home if they cannot properly escape. Both of these issues put your home and family in dangerous and life-threatening situations.
Excessive heat, lint inside of the dryer, longer than normal dryer times, a musty odor, and increased temps in the laundry room are all signs that you need help as soon as possible. Call in a professional fast, so that you can gain the peace of mind you deserve!
We can clear any excess lint out of your dryer vent system so that you can rest easy knowing your home is safer. On top of this, clean dryer vents ensure shorter dryer times, saving you money on energy bills. Not to mention, you can cross laundry off your to-do list that much faster! Our certified staff will use the appropriate tools to clear out your system – count on us for your dryer vent cleaning every year!
Providing Top Of The Line Home Care
If you’re looking for a dependable home and chimney care, there is nowhere better than Weststar Chimney Sweeps. Our CSIA certified staff has been providing dependable care to this area for almost 20 years, and we can’t wait to help our customers for many more years to come!
Check out our website today to learn more about all that we can offer you. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
by Mike O'Mara | Aug 15, 2016 | Dryer Vent Maintenance
You could be at risk of an accidental fire in your home if your dryer vent is clogged. The US Fire Administration published a report that found that 2,900 clothes dryer fires are reported every year, and these fires result in approximately five deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property losses. The leading cause for these fires was failure to clean the dryer vent, which means these fires could have been prevented. Weststar Chimney Sweeps can help you prevent an accidental clothes dryer fire in your home with our professional dryer vent cleaning services. Our technicians have the training and experience to remove all of the lint and other debris from your dryer vent, which greatly reduces your risk of a fire. This service is recommended to be done annually, but there are a few warning signs that can alert you to have your dryer vent cleaned as soon as possible. We would like to tell you about these signs so you will know when your vent is clogged.
Your clothes are still damp after a complete dryer cycle.
When the dryer vent is clogged, your clothes dryer cannot work as efficiently as it could. When the hot and damp air is unable to leave the dryer through the vent, it makes it difficult for a load of clothes to dry completely in one cycle. When your clothes are still damp at the end of a drying cycle, you should contact Weststar Chimney Sweeps to schedule an appointment for a dryer vent cleaning. You will notice that your clothes dryer will work better than ever after we have cleaned the vent.
Your dryer is too hot to touch.
A clogged dryer vent causes your dryer to overheat, and the appliance can become too hot to touch. This is a warning sign of a dangerous situation as these high temperatures can easily ignite the lint that is clogged inside the vent. You may even notice a burning smell, and if you do, you should immediately turn your dryer off and contact Weststar Chimney Sweeps to clean the vent.
Your lint screen is only collecting lint on half of the screen.
You should be cleaning off the lint from the lint screen before or after each load of clothes you dry. When your vent is working properly, one side of the entire lint screen should be covered with lint. However, if you notice that the screen is only collecting lint on part of the screen, on both sides of the screen, or not collecting any lint at all, this is a sign that the dryer vent is clogged and unable to work correctly. Weststar Chimney Sweeps can clean the dryer vent so that it will be able to work properly.
If you notice any of these warning signs, your dryer vent is most likely clogged. To prevent this hazard from becoming more dangerous, contact us at Weststar Chimney Sweeps to schedule an appointment for our professional dryer vent cleaning services.
by Mike O'Mara | Apr 30, 2016 | Dryer Vent Maintenance
Did you realize that your dryer vent should be professionally cleaned once a year? Many homeowners do not know the importance of having this maintenance service done annually, but your clothes dryer could be a fire hazard if the vent is clogged with lint and other debris. When you have your dryer vent cleaned, you are not only reducing that risk of a fire, but you are also prolonging the life of your clothes dryer and saving money and energy. Weststar Chimney Sweeps is proud to offer professional dryer vent cleaning services to the residents of the San Diego area, and we would like to tell you the benefits of having your dryer vent system professionally cleaned.
A professional dryer vent cleaning keeps your clothes dryer working at its most efficient level.
Every time you use your dryer, it produces lint, which can accumulate inside the vent and even block the opening. When the vent is blocked, your dryer cannot exhaust the hot air, and this causes your dryer to overheat and not work very efficiently. Important parts of your dryer will break down earlier than they should, which causes expensive repairs. Sometimes it could be less costly to buy a new dryer than to have the heating element replaced. A professional dryer vent cleaning will help your dryer to work as efficiently as possible, which will prolong its life.
A professional dryer vent cleaning saves you money and energy.
When the vent is clogged, your dryer will take longer than usual to dry a load of clothes. If you have ever noticed damp clothes at the end of a drying cycle, your vent is probably dirty. When you have to run your clothes dryer for two cycles to completely dry one load of clothes, your utility bills can get expensive. Weststar Chimney Sweeps can save you both money on your utility bills and precious energy by cleaning your dryer vent.
A professional dryer vent cleaning prevents clothes dryer fires.
According to the US Fire Administration (USFA), clothes dryers are responsible for 2,900 fires a year, which result in approximately 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property losses. Why are clothes dryers causing so many fires? The majority of these fires are caused by dirty dryer vents, which means they could have been avoided with a professional dryer vent cleaning. Weststar Chimney Sweeps will be sure to remove every bit of lint from the vent because lint is so flammable that the Boy Scouts of America recommend using it to start campfires. We will ensure that your clothes dryer poses no risks for a fire.
Reduce the risk of a clothes dryer fire in your home. Contact us at Weststar Chimney Sweeps to schedule an appointment for our dryer vent cleaning services today.
