When it comes to dryer vents, it’s very important that they’re cleaned often to prevent fire. The National Fire Protection Association reports that clothes dryers were the cause of more than 15,500 U.S. home fires in 2010. Homes where dryer vents weren’t cleaned of lint and other debris were at risk for damage. That’s because build up in dryer hoses and vent ducts reduce airflow and cause exhaust gases to linger and catch fire.
The signs of a blocked dryer vent include:
- Longer drying time for clothes. It takes double or triple the time to dry loads of clothing. Clothes are damp when you go to remove them.
- The clothing inside and metal outside of the dryer are hot. If the exhaust isn’t working properly, everything inside and outside the dryer heats to scorching hot temperatures. Not only is this wasteful, it’s also a good way to destroy the heating element and blower.
- It smells like something’s burning. That’s because lint inside the dryer catches fire. It gets caught in the lint trap and drum casing.
- The vent hood flap doesn’t open. Lint or debris builds up around the dryer hose or outside dryer vent. An airflow restriction is often caused by lots of lint.
- You haven’t had your dryer inspected for a really long time. It’s really important to have vent ducts inspected for fire risks and carbon monoxide poisoning. Have a professional examine your duct system and dryer vent at least once a year. It’s well worth the cost to keep your home and family safe.
- For increased safety and monitoring, use a product like LintAlert to detect lint buildup and crushed pipes and keep your family safe from fire.
Cleaning your dryer vent between drying loads of clothing prevents fire. Take a few minutes to remove lint and debris from the dryer vent. It keeps wear and tear to the machine minimal and lowers your chances of fire.
Help keep your home safe and reduce your chances of a house fire. Call the dryer vent cleaning and LintAlarm experts [.CALL.].