Modernistic Dryer Vent Cleaning
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Many home owners believe cleaning their dryer lint trap is sufficient enough and is all that needs to be done relating to dryer vent cleaning. Many do not realize that clothing lint is not all caught in the lint trap, but also accumulates in the dryer hose and ductwork of the dryer which can result in very serious problems including home fires.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
The lint trap collects the majority of the lint; however lint often gets lodged and stuck in the hidden duct work. This can cause a concealed problem. The Flexible dryer hose that has ridges, corners and bends in the duct work is vulnerable to the accumulation of lint. The main source of this problem is the long duct work that allows a greater chance for lint backup.
Over 15,000 home fires have been linked to clothes dryers and lint build up. These home fires are caused by dryer vents being obstructed by lint and are easily preventable. Lint is extremely flammable and if the dryer vent is restricted and not in top working order, it can cause enough heat to ignite. Modernistic can help prevent the possibility of lint fires in the home with a professional dryer vent cleaning.
There are warning signs that lint may be restricting your dryer vent and you could be at risk of a fire:
- Clothes are taking longer than normal to dry
- Clothes seem hotter than usual at the end of a drying cycle
- The flapper on your exterior dryer vent doesn’t open when the dryer is on
- Your dryer lint trap does not fit snugly – a loose fit will allow more lint into the duct work
- You have a flexible or plastic dryer vent hose
- Your dryer is located a long distance from the exterior dryer vent
- The route your dryer duct takes to get to the exterior dryer vent has a lot of bends
- You wash a lot of clothes that have been soiled with flammable materials such as gas, motor oil, cooking oil etc.
Tips to reduce the chance of clogged dryer vents
- Use metal duct work and replace foil or plastic ducts with rigid or semi rigid duct work which allow better air flow, less flammable, and have fewer places for lint to be trapped
- Clean the dryer vent hose regularly
- Do not operate a dryer without the lint filter in place
- Clean the lint trap between each load of laundry
- Wash lint screens with every few weeks to remove residue left by fabric softeners
- Ensure the outdoor vent flap can open freely (leaves, bushes, and snow can easily block the flap)
- Keep dryers in good working order. Gas dryers should be inspected by a professional to ensure the gas line and all connections are secure and free of leaks
- Avoid overloading the dryer
- Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions
- Keep combustible chemicals away from your dryer
- Do not store flammable items near your dryer (boxes, clothing, chemicals)
- Run the dryer only when you are at home
- Dryer ducts should be at least 4 inches in diameter
- All duct joints should be secured with metal tape
- Duct joints should be installed such that piece nearest the dryer is on the inside joint
- Dryer vents should leave the home directly
- Install a screen on the outside vent of the dryer duct to prevent animals for entering the duct
Scheduled Ventilation Cleaning
The best technique to reduce the amount of lint accumulation and the chances of having a home fire is to have a qualified Modernistic technician to periodically service the unit. Proper service maintenance and regular airflow checks to make sure your dryer unit is in prime working order is the only way to ensure your unit is not at risk. When airflow is restricted in your dryer ducts, your dryer has to work harder resulting, in more energy use and higher temperatures in your unit. Have a NADCA certified Modernistic technician professionally clean your dryer vent today!
