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Hey y’all — this is Matt with Job Town Dryer Vent Cleaning.
As a Birmingham firefighter, I’ve seen the damage that a simple dryer fire can do to a home. That’s why I wanted to take a minute and talk to you about one of the biggest risks we see when it comes to dryer safety — overheating dryers.
Most people don’t think twice about their dryer… until something goes wrong. But the truth is, if your vent isn’t clean and clear, your dryer could be running way hotter than it’s supposed to — and that can turn into a serious fire hazard real quick.
So Why Do Dryers Overheat?
Your dryer is designed to pull in air, heat it up, push it through your clothes, and exhaust that hot air outside through your vent line. But when that vent is clogged up with lint, bird nests, pet hair, or even debris from construction, the air can’t escape like it should.
What happens next? All that heat gets trapped inside your dryer and vent system. Over time, that heat builds up around the heating elements and inside the machine itself. And here’s the thing — lint is extremely flammable. You mix trapped heat with lint buildup and it’s a recipe for disaster.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), failure to clean dryer vents is the number one cause of dryer fires across the country.
Here Are a Few Signs Your Dryer May Be Overheating:
Your clothes are really hot at the end of the cycle.
You notice a burning smell while the dryer’s running.
The dryer keeps shutting off before the load is finished.
That outside vent flap isn’t opening up like it should.
Your drying times are getting longer and longer.
If you’re seeing any of these, your dryer is telling you something isn’t right.
Don’t Wait Until It Becomes a Bigger Problem
When your dryer is overheating, it’s not just costing you more on your power bill or wearing out your appliance — it’s putting your home and family at risk. I’ve been on the fire side of these calls before, and I can tell you firsthand, this is one of the easiest fires to prevent.
The good news? A professional dryer vent cleaning solves the problem.
At Job Town Dryer Vent Cleaning, we’re not just another cleaning company. We’re owned and operated by Birmingham firefighters, and we take your family’s safety seriously. We use professional-grade equipment, airflow testing, and camera inspections so we can show you exactly what’s going on inside your vent system.
If you haven’t had your dryer vent cleaned in the last year — or you’re noticing any of the signs I mentioned above — give us a call. We’d love to help keep your home safe.
Stay safe and take care,
— Matt, Job Town Dryer Vent Cleaning
(205) 881-9115