Home Maintenance

by Daniel Renteria

With summer around the corner, there are a few things that we want to touch on in regards to preventative maintenance in your unit.

In the past we have touched on shut-off valves that are usually located in the laundry room behind the metal panel door (building 10 are in the ceiling) and how important it is to exercise these valves at least once a month. We have also touched on checking on you ’ re A/C filters which are located in the ceiling close to where the condenser unit is located. In some units, you are able to find them down toward the floor in the den. It is always important to change these out at the recommended replacement time each brand recommends. These recommended time frames can range anywhere from one (1) to six (6) months depending on the brand of filter purchased.

We have also touched on P traps which are the curved piece of pipe under each sink. In order to prevent nasty smells or build up in that area. It is recommended to disconnect these once every three (3) months and clean them out. To remove and clean these is fairly simple, turn the coupling that attaches both ends of the pipe, clean out the pipe and re-attach the coupling and tighten the coupling back up. When doing so, make sure that it is tight enough for water to not leak through. You would want to run water to make sure there is no leaking anywhere in that area.

A question that we often get is “How often should you clean your dryer vent out?” A dryer vent is recommended to be cleaned yearly to enhance the dryer's efficiency. Regular dryer vent cleaning helps to remove lint and other dirt and debris that are obstructing the dryer performance. Signs you can look for that let you know it is time to clean out your dryer vent are the following:

Your clothes are taking much longer than usual to dry

Both your clothing and the dryer exterior get very hot

Presence of debris around the dryer hose

The dryer vent has not been inspected for more than a year

You notice a strange burning smell on the clothes

The laundry room feels excessively hot when the dryer is running

What do you gain from regular dryer vent cleaning? It will save energy - Cleaning your dryer vent regularly will help improve its efficiency, thus lowering the amount of power that it consumes. Homeowners who clean their dryer vent periodically can save up to 30% on their energy bills. Reduces maintenance cost - When the dryer vent is cleaned regularly, it is less likely to overheat or get clogged. As a result, it is less likely to break down or experience a technical difficulties. Reduces the risk of FIRE - Lint is a highly flammable material. If left to accumulate on the vent, it can cause a fire that can wreak havoc. Regular cleaning helps to prevent lint buildup and will prevent the risk of fire.

It reduces wear and tear of the dryer - If the dryer vent is not cleaned regularly, then the dryer is forced to work twice as hard to dry your clothes. This excessive strain can wear down crucial parts of the dryer. Regular cleaning helps to improve dryer efficiency, thus reducing wear and tear.

A couple tips to keep your dryer vent clean are; 1) if you are using dryer sheets then switch to a liquid fabric softener and 2) allow the dryer to cool for at least 15 minutes in between loads.