Do you have a leaking dryer vent? Then you should call us – RIGHT NOW. You might be asking, “does it really matter if my dryer vent is a little leaky?”. The answer is YES. Why is that? Because a leaking vent can cause mold, mildew, and dust to build up in the house – which means your allergies will go haywire (plus, you know, mold is super bad for you). And if you have a gas dryer, there's always the chance that it could also be leaking carbon monoxide into your home which is something nobody wants. What we're saying is, a leaking dryer vent might not seem like a big deal but it can quickly turn into a huge problem, so it's something you'll want to take care of ASAP. But what's causing it to leak in the first place? Well, it could be one (or a combo) of several things.
First up, we have condensation. This is typically something you see in colder climates (so it definitely applies to our areas!). What causes it? When the warm air from the dryer hits the cold air outside, it condenses and drips back into your home. If not handled, condensation can cause serious water damage. To avoid this, it's best to keep your vent adequately insulated.
Then there's the possibility it could be holes or cracks in the pipe. If your dryer vent is cracked or damaged in any way, it won't function correctly, and it will allow water from condensation or surrounding pipes to drip into the vent and then your home. This is a case where it's best to call the professionals in so we can fix up your vent and set things right.
It could also be a broken flapper on the outer opening. You may be familiar with the flapper on the outer edge of your dryer vent pipe? It's on the edge of the pipe on the outside side where the hot air gets released. When it's working, it opens up to let the hot air out when needed, then snaps back into place the rest of the time. But if it's broken and not snapping back into place like it should, it can let in rain water, snow, or frost, which then work their way through the pipes to the inside and cause leaks. Not cool. Plus, if the flap isn't letting hot air out it'll cause condensation. Luckily, this is an easy fix – you just need to check the flap and replace if needed! (And we highly recommend checking this flap on the reg.)
Where does your dryer vent go? The problem could be where the vent exhausts. Some homes have dryer vents that exhaust to the attic or garage instead of outdoors, as is preferable. Venting to an enclosed area like this can lead to moisture problems which in turn leads to leaks, mold, and mildew. Always, always vent to the outdoors!
Finally, it could be a blocked vent. How does a vent get blocked? Stray lint and small pieces of fabric can build up in the vent over time causing a blockage that blocks the flow of air. When that hot air has nowhere to go, it condenses and results in a leak. The solution? A dryer vent cleaning by your favorite dryer vent cleaning wizards (a/k/a us!).
A leaking vent is no picnic and should be handled straight away. Check for the above if you find your dryer vent leaking, then if the problem isn't one of the issues you can handle yourself, give us a call and we'll get you back on track!
We're the experts for professional Northern NJ Dryer Vent Cleaning & repair! Give us a call at 201-345-0055 so Northern NJ Dryer Vent Wizard can help you save energy, time, and money. Some of the towns we service include: Westwood NJ, Mahwah NJ, Ridgewood NJ, Wyckoff NJ, Dumount NJ, Ramsey NJ and the surrounding Northern NJ areas!
