Santa's Friend Chimney Service Blog

Vent Cleaning Time!

There should be no obstructions in your dryer vents. It should be as clear as this!

Excessive lint build up occurs slowly and gradually. You don’t even realize it’s happening. Your dryer vent is one of those forgotten vents in your home that either runs to the roof or through an outer wall to the outside of your home. You think that by cleaning out the lint filter after each load of laundry you are doing your job and maintaining the dryer. To borrow Al Borland’s catch phrase – “I don’t think so, Tim.” What many homeowners don’t realize is the potential fire hazard they’re creating if they don’t have their dryer vent cleaned annually.

Cleaning Tips

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a safety alert on clothes dryer fires, offering several important tips for preventing dryer fires, including dryer vent and dryer duct cleaning:

• Clean your lint trap before or after drying each load of clothes. If clothing is still damp at the end of a typical drying cycle or drying requires longer times than normal, this may be a sign that the lint trap or the exhaust duct is blocked.
• Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically. Check the outside dryer vent while the dryer is operating to make sure exhaust air is escaping. If it’s not, the vent or the exhaust duct may be blocked.
• Clean behind the dryer, where lint can build up. Have a qualified service person clean the interior of the dryer chassis periodically to minimize the amount of lint accumulation. Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of clutter.
• Replace plastic or foil, accordion-type ducting material with rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct. Most manufacturers specify the use of a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid duct, which provides maximum airflow. The flexible plastic or foil type duct can more easily trap lint and is more susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly reduce the airflow.

Clean for Efficacy

A professional dryer vent cleaning will help to reduce excess household dust and humidity as well as preserve clothing, as the life of many fabrics can be damaged by high temperatures. The cleaning will also allow your dryer to operate more efficiently by using less energy, thereby saving you money.

Clean for Safety

Clogged dryer vents are the cause of almost 16,000 house fires each year. A partially obstructed vent filled with lint can cause increased drying times and waste energy while a blocked vent may result in fire. Schedule your dryer vent cleaning with Santa’s Friend Chimney Service if any of the following apply to you: your clothes are still damp after a full drying cycle, there is excessive heat buildup in your laundry room/area, or you use your dryer often. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season.

The Importance of a Clean Dryer Vent

Being a homeowner carries many responsibilities and even the small ones can make a big difference. Many appliances require regular maintenance and the clothes drying system is one of them. Debris and lint can build up in the ductwork of a clothes dryer, decreasing operating efficiency and creating a potentially hazardous situation.

Buildup within the dryer duct can inhibit the dryer exhaust process. If the dryer is not vented properly or debris or lint is blocking the duct, carbon monoxide may be forced back into the home, endangering occupants. The situation can also increase the possibility of a dryer fire. A certified dryer exhaust technician will inspect and clean the dryer venting system and verify the correct sizing and installation.

Plastic ductwork is flammable, so it should be replaced with a metal version. Annual inspection of the dryer exhaust vent and ductwork is recommended. As venting distances become longer in modern home construction, safety hazards increase because lint has a greater surface area in which to collect. Improper vents can create comfortable hiding spaces for birds and other animals, increasing the safety risk to humans and creatures.

The U.S. Fire Administration reported that dryers were responsible for 15,600 structure fires, 400 injuries, and 15 deaths annually from 2002 to 2004. In residential buildings, failing to clean the appliance is the leading cause of a clothes dryer fire. The Chimney Safety Institute of America certifies dryer exhaust technicians to perform inspections and cleaning, making this preventable.

A clean exhaust venting system makes the dryer operate more efficiently and prevents moisture and heat from becoming trapped in the home. Clean ducts for gas dryers prevent trapping of carbon monoxide within the home. Extending the life of the clothes dryer while preventing damage to the home and its occupants is the goal of annual dryer duct inspection.