The warning signs check.
Tick every sign that sounds like your dryer and watch the thermometer rise. You get a plain next step, from keeping an eye on it to stopping the dryer.
- Tick the signs
- Watch the thermometer
- Free, no signup
Tick every sign you notice
Check every sign that sounds like your dryer.
How this works
- Each sign has a weight. A burning smell counts most because heat and lint together deserve quick attention.
- The scale is a screening, not a diagnosis. An inspection and an airflow reading confirm what is going on.
- If you smell burning, stop using the dryer and unplug it until the vent is cleared.
Saved. Your answers will travel with the quote form at the bottom of the page.
Each one is a clue about airflow.
Damp loads
Moist air that cannot leave keeps clothes damp.
Heat
A hot dryer or laundry room means heat is staying in.
Smell
A burning or hot-lint smell deserves quick action.
Outside clues
Lint around the hood or a lazy flap points to a restriction.
Warning Signs Check questions
How do I know my dryer vent is clogged?
Clothes that are damp after a full cycle, a dryer that is hot to the touch, a hot or humid laundry room, a burning smell, lint around the vent hood and a flap that barely opens are the common signs.
Is it safe to keep using a dryer with a clogged vent?
If the vent is badly blocked or you smell burning, stop using the dryer and unplug it until the vent is cleared. A restricted vent holds heat in and makes the dryer work harder.
Can I clean my dryer vent myself?
You can clean the lint screen and the trap slot often, and a short, straight vent can be cleaned with a brush kit. Long, bent, roof and hidden runs, gas dryers and vents that have not been cleaned in years are better left to us.
Saw a few of these signs?
We can clear the vent, measure the airflow and show you before and after photos.