Ring, Ring: Is Your Dryer Running??

Dryer Vent Fire Prevention

One of the most convenient appliances that we have today is the clothes dryer. With approximately 85% of all homes in the United States owning a dryer, it is evident that the majority of people find it to be a necessity rather than just a convenience. What most of us fail to realize is the danger that can be associated with dryer vents when they are not properly maintained. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,000 fires are sparked by dryers each year in the United States. Here at ServiceMaster by Bailey, we see our fair share of dryer fires each year as well. That is why we wanted to give you some tips on how to prevent such a disaster from happening in your home.

In order to keep your dryer from becoming a fire hazard you need to make sure that the vent is clean and functioning properly. Lint from a dryer is very flammable, so when the dryer heats up but cannot release the heat properly through the vent, the machine can overheat causing a spark. This spark will turn into flames very quickly if there is lint present.

Here are some signs that it’s time to have your vents cleaned:

Clothing does not dry completely after a normal drying cycle.
Drying time for clothing takes longer than 35 to 40 minutes in duration.
A musty odor is noticed in the clothing following the drying cycle.
Clothing seems unusually hot to the touch after a complete drying cycle.
The dryer vent hood flap does not properly open as it is designed to do during the operation of the dryer.
Debris is noticed within the outside dryer vent opening.
Excessive heat is noticed within the room in which the dryer is being operated.
Large amounts of lint accumulate in the lint trap for the dryer during operation.
A visible sign of lint and debris is noticed around the lint filter for the dryer.
Excessive odor is noticed from dryer sheets that are used during the drying cycle.

If you happen to notice any of these signs it means that something in the dryer is not functioning properly. It could be that the dryer vent is clogged with lint and debris, that the dryer vent has been crushed, or that the vent was installed improperly. Either way the dryer is unable to release the heat and moisture to the outside vent. When this occurs the dryer works harder and keeps all of the heat trapped inside, which can cause a fire to spark. Once you have determined that your vent needs to be cleaned the next step is to have the cleaning done.

Below is a before and after picture of a dryer vent that definitely needed a cleaning. In the before picture you can see the lint buildup in the vent and you can imagine how difficult it makes it for the dryer to expel the hot air during a cycle. On the right you can see the dryer vent is clear of debris and in proper working condition.

Call a professional

While there are do it yourself dryer vent cleaning kits available, we recommend that you use a professional for several reasons.

1. The cost: Having your dryer vent cleaned is fairly inexpensive. Especially when you look at how much it will save on your electric bill if you only have to run the dryer for one cycle per load of clothes. The average cost is $100-$150 depending on the length of the vent.

2. Professional Inspection: When you hire a professional company they will perform an inspection prior to cleaning. During the inspection they may catch something that you would have missed if you tried to do it yourself. For example, if the vent is attached incorrectly you may not realize it, but a professional will.

3. Annual Cleanings: Dryer vents should be cleaned at least once a year to prevent fires, gas leaks, and maintain efficiency. Save yourself the time and hassle of doing it yourself and make sure that it is cleaned properly by a professional.

4. The Cons of Do It Yourself Kits: As I mentioned before there are kits you can buy to clean your own dryer vents. However, the kits are not as effective as the tools used by professional companies. A professional has more than just the right tools, they have the experience. They have seen every different make and model of vent system and will most likely be able to clean yours more efficiently that you.

Prevention Tips

The buildup of lint is just an unavoidable apect of owning a dryer. However, there are ways that you can help to reduce the amount of lint that builds up in the vent. Here are a few:

Clean the lint screen/filter before or after each load of laundry.
Have the dryer vent professionally cleaned at least once a year.
Clean behind the dryer where lint can build up near the electrical cords.
Take special care when drying clothes that have been soiled by volatile materials such as gasoline, cooking oils, or cleaning agents.
Replace plastic or foil, accordion-type ducting material with rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal.

We here at ServiceMaster by Bailey can help get your dryer vents back into shape. We have a strong team of professional technicians who are trained and experienced in cleaning dryer vents. Give us a call now to schedule a cleaning and let us help you prevent a disaster in the future. However, if a disaster does strike, know that we are available to help 24/7/365.