Dryer Vent Cleaning and Fire Safety Tips from the Wizard

Dryer vent cleaning is the number one way to prevent clothes dryer fires. Over 15,000 dryer related fires occur annually, causing loss of homes and pets, death and injuries. Most of these devastating fires were caused by failure to clean dryer vents.

Sedgewickville, MO: A dryer related fire destroyed a home soon after their mother left for work. The kids were getting ready for school when a boy noticed smoke and alerted his sisters to get out of the house. They went to a neighbor’s where they called 911. No one was hurt, but the house was a total loss.

Tuscon, AZ: Two families are being assisted by the Red Cross after a dryer fire destroyed a duplex. In one unit, three people were home; they managed to escape along with their pets. In the adjacent unit, no one was home, but a family member was able to get in and rescue their dog.

Your dryer and dryer vent system works to remove heat, moisture and lint from your laundry. Most people expect any lint that escapes the lint screen to end up outdoors along with the heat and moisture. Unfortunately, most of the lint will be trapped either behind the dryer or stuck to the sides of the dryer duct.

Lint build-up restricts air flow required for the dryer to perform its job. As the dryer labors to dry your laundry, it consumes more energy. Poorly maintained dryer vent systems can result in spending an additional $18 – 24 per month not to mention repair bills when the appliance breaks down.

When dryer vent systems become clogged with lint, they can overheat and eventually, cause a fire. Another cause of dryer fires is drying rags soaked with flammable chemicals. These should be line dried, even if they have been washed, as residue can remain. The heat from the dryer can cause the materials to ignite inside your dryer.

Here are some tips for maintaining your dryer vent system and preventing dryer fires:

Clean the lint screen after every load

Wash the lint screen periodically to remove residue build-up caused by dryer sheets.

Do not place rags soaked in flammable substances in your dryer; these should be line dried.

Do not store flammable chemicals near the dryer.

Do not go to sleep or leave the home when the dryer is running

Have a qualified dryer exhaust specialist clean your dryer vent system at least once a year, more often if you have a large family and are doing over 8 loads of laundry per week.

Following these tips will ensure your clothes dryer is working more efficiently reduce your energy costs and eliminating a fire hazard. Proper appliance maintenance will also increase the life of your appliance and reduce the need for repairs.

Dryer Vent Wizard is a nationwide company providing dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair, and dryer vent installation in many market areas including Boise, ID; Charlotte, NC; San Diego, CA; Leesburg, VA; Arlington, VA, Fairfax, VA; Connecticut; Raleigh, NC; Washington DC, VA; Livonia, MI; Denver, CO; Cleveland, OH; Boston, MA; Massachusetts, New Hampshire; Birmingham, MI; Bloomfield Hills, MI; Wausau, WI; Long Island, NY; Sacramento, CA; Temecula, CA; Baltimore, MD; Columbus, OH; Minneapolis, MN; St. Joseph, MO; Kansas City, MO; Boca Raton, FL; Atlanta, GA; York, PA; Lancaster, PA; Nashville, TN; Murfreesboro, TN; Seattle, WA; Chicago, IL; Santa Rosa, CA; Vallejo, CA; San Francisco, CA; Fresno, CA; Louisville, KY; Cincinnati, OH; Birmingham, AL; Baltimore, MD; Pittsburg, PA; Modesto, CA; Syracuse, NY