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Welcome to the JobTown Dryer Vent Safety Podcast. I’m Matt Parker, and today we’re focusing on new homeowners – whether you’ve just purchased your first home or you’re a seasoned buyer in a new property.
_ Moving into a new home comes with a long checklist of things to address. Unfortunately, dryer vent systems often get overlooked during home inspections and the moving process. Based on our experience servicing homes throughout Birmingham, here are five critical questions every new homeowner should ask about their dryer vent system.
First: When was the last professional cleaning? Many sellers don’t think to mention this, but a home that’s been lived in for years likely has significant lint buildup. If the previous owners can’t remember the last cleaning – or worse, have never had it done – make this a priority.
Second: What type of ductwork is installed? Older homes in areas like Homewood or Mountain Brook sometimes have outdated materials like flexible plastic ducts, which aren’t up to current code and present a higher fire risk. Proper vents should be rigid or semi-rigid metal.
Third: How long is the vent run, and how many turns does it have? Longer runs with multiple turns collect more lint and require more frequent cleaning. We recently serviced a home in Ross Bridge with a 25-foot vent run that made four 90-degree turns – a configuration that needed special attention.
Fourth: Does the outside vent cover open and close properly? Damaged or stuck covers restrict airflow and can allow pests to enter.
Fifth: Is the dryer properly positioned? The dryer should be close enough to the wall that the transition hose isn’t crushed or kinked, which can create lint traps and reduce efficiency.
Conclusion: At JobTown, we offer new homeowner inspections specifically designed to answer these questions and identify any issues before they become problems. As active firefighters, we believe prevention starts with information.
Many of our customers in areas like Vestavia Hills and Alabaster schedule these inspections shortly after moving in, giving them peace of mind and a baseline for future maintenance.
Remember, the previous owners’ laundry habits might have been very different from yours. More frequent or larger loads mean faster lint accumulation. Taking the time to understand your system now can prevent headaches – or worse – down the road.
Next week, we’ll discuss how your laundry habits affect your dryer vent maintenance schedule. Until then, this is Matt Parker with JobTown Dryer Vent Cleaning, helping you start your new home journey safely.
