Every Memphis fire department has a story about a house fire that started in the laundry room. U.S. fire departments respond to roughly 13,000 home fires involving clothes dryers every year — and the leading single cause is failure to clean the dryer.
The lint trap: every load. The full vent line from the dryer to the outside: at least once a year for a normal household; twice a year with shedding pets, a big family, or a long vent run.
Clothes take more than one cycle to dry. The top of the dryer feels unusually hot. The outside vent flap barely opens. A musty or burning smell during operation. Any of these and you’re overdue.
The lint trap, definitely. The vent line, partially — a $30 brush kit clears the first several feet. For long or roof runs, a professional has the right tools and won’t damage the duct.
If we’re on a dryer repair call and the vent is overdue, we’ll usually clean it as part of the visit. The repair lasts longer if the dryer isn’t fighting a clogged vent.
A clear vent dries clothes in one cycle instead of two. Across a year of laundry, the savings are real.
Our techs in Memphis can usually tell from your description whether it’s a quick fix or a real repair. Either way, you’ll get a straight answer.
