Santa's Friend Chimney Service Blog

Make Sure Your Clothes Get As Dry As They Should!

Way back when, living was a lot tougher than it is now. If you needed to wash clothes, you hauled water and heated it. If you wanted a good meal, you went out to the garden to pick the produce. Afterwards, you cooked it over a fire on a cook stove. Also, you hung your clothes out to dry, whether it was summer and sunny or winter and cold. Now things are easy. We have microwaves and electric ranges, refrigerators and grocery stores.

To get your clothes clean, there are machines to do the work for you.  You simply throw those wet clothes into the dryer for a quick cycle. In not time, you’re pulling those warm, fluffy clothes out, ready to be folded. However, have you noticed that your clothes need to run through two or three cycles before they’re dry? If so, then there might be something wrong with your dryer. Chances are, it probably isn’t something major that’s wrong; chances are, your dryer vents are full of lint. This isn’t only a nuisance, it could be a hazardous situation waiting to explode!

Dangers of Lint Build-up

When you dry your clothes in the dryer, tiny particles from your clothes shake off and collect in different parts of your dryer. Even if you clean your lint screen on a regular basis, some of those particles still escape into the dryer vent. Over time, those particles build up and can cause an obstruction. If the air is really dry, static could cause a spark. If that spark catches in the lint build-up, it could be an instantaneous fire.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, “(I)n 2010, an estimated 16,800 reported U.S. non-confined or confined home structure fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines (including combination washer/dryers) resulted in 51 civilian deaths, 380 civilian injuries, and $236 million in direct property damage.” This is a hazard that is too often overlooked, and yet easily remedied.

Professional Help

Although cleaning your dryer vents may seem like an easy task, you need to ask yourself: is it worth the risk of losing your home and endangering your family to save a few dollars? According to Angie’s List, it is wise to hire a professional to clean your dryer vents at least once a year. If you use your washer and dryer often, then you may want to have it done two or three times a year. Homeowners that use do-it-yourself kits to clean their own vents can be lulled into a sense that their vents are safely clean. Consequently, not realizing that it’s a bigger job than what it seems. That’s why it’s important to call on professionals who know exactly what it takes to get the job done right. And those professionals work for Santa’s Friend Chimney Service!

Get the Job Done Right

The employees at Santa’s Friend Chimney Service know all the places to look where lint likes to build up. They are educated in the proper cleaning techniques, and they have the tools to ensure that your dryer’s venting system is clean and safe. Give them a call today and get your dryer on an annual cleaning schedule!

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.