Do you periodically have your clothes dryer vents cleaned by a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified chimney technician? A lot of people think that all that needs to be done in regards to dryer vent cleaning is to simply clean out their lint traps after every load. While this is a good practice, you should know that lint traps do not capture 100 percent of the lint when you dry your clothes. If lint is allowed to accumulate inside your ventilation system, there could be some very serious and hazardous consequences. In fact, the United States Fire Administration reports that approximately 2,900 clothes dryer fires are reported each year causing 100 injuries, 5 deaths and almost 35 million dollars in property damage annually. At Hale’s Chimney & Fireplace Solutions, we want you to know that we don’t just work on chimney ventilation systems, we also are CSIA-certified dryer ventilation technicians as well.
Hazards
Hot air is produced when you dry your clothes. This hot air need to be ventilated otherwise your dryer may start to overheat. Heat is usually vented out of the back of the dryer and into an exterior vent or outside your home. The lint that gets past your lint trap is also blown out through this ventilation system. However, sometimes lint gets trapped in the dryer vent. Once one piece of lint gets caught up in this vent, it can catch other pieces of lint, reducing airflow. Once air flow is reduced, lint is more likely to get caught. This cycle continues until the vent is eventually clogged. Once this happens, excess heat can no longer ventilate causing lint to catch fire and/or causing dangerous carbon monoxide gas to enter your home.
Other consequences
Not only is a dirty vent dangerous, it can also cost you money. Moisture is also pushed out of your dryer ventilation system. If moisture can not escape, it will stay with you on clothing preventing your clothes from drying properly. This means you will have to run your clothes dryer more often, raising your energy costs. Furthermore, if you are running your dryer more often, that means you’re probably wearing it out more quickly.
Periodic inspections and proper vent ducts
The CSIA suggests getting your dryer vent be inspected annually by a CSIA-certified vent technician. At Hales, we have CSIA-certified technicians make sure your dryer vents are clean. Sometimes dryers come with a 4-inch foil or accordion style vent duct. If this is the case, a certified vent technician may suggest that you change it. These types of vents tend to sag, making it easier for lint to get trapped. If this is the case they may suggest installing a metal vent duct.
At Hales Chimney & Fireplace Solutions, the safety of your family comes first. If you haven’t had your dryer vents inspected in a while, contact us today to set up an appointment. We have knowledge and experience inspecting dryer vents to put your mind at peace.