Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Dryer Vent Cleaning to Prevent Dryer Fires

By Gina Fazil

Most homeowners know that it is important to maintain their appliances to keep them working efficiently and safely. They have their furnace cleaned and change filters often; but many are unaware of the danger that could be lurking in the clothes dryer.

When it comes to dryer maintenance, the first thing most people think of is the lint trap. Most people know that it is necessary to clean the lint trap between loads; some even go a little further and clean out the area where the lint screen goes too. This is all very good, but it is not enough. Lint is a very messy substance that can spread throughout the dryer and vent system, creating blockages that restrict air flow and cause fire hazards.

A dryer vent cleaning professional has special tools for getting to the difficult areas. An annual cleaning and inspection will ensure that there is proper air flow for the dryer to work efficiently and safely.

Inside the Dryer: A lot of the lint that gets past the lint trap can get caught up in a number of places throughout the dryer. You may be amazed to see how much lint has slipped past the trap and is now trapped in various portions of your dryer frame. This is not only messy but its a fire hazard as any spark inside the machine could set the lint aflame.

The Chute: Lint can become trapped within the chute where hot air is removed from the dryer to the vent on the outside of your home. When the ducts become clogged, the dryer must work harder to remove the moisture from your laundry. As it accumulates inside the ducts, it reduces air flow, causing overheating.

The Dryer Vent: The end of the journey for heat, moisture and lint is the dryer vent on the outside of the home. The vent should be checked often to be sure it is not clogged with lint or frozen shut. If the vent is not working properly, or it is broken, bugs and rodents will have easy access to your home as well.

To keep your clothes dryer working, efficiently and safely, have a professional inspection and cleaning at least once a year. If you have a large family and use your dryer almost daily, you may want to double that service schedule. Proper dryer vent cleaning will save money on utility bills while preventing a clothes dryer fire.

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