Chimney Care Company's Blog
Dryer vent cleaning and repairs
How is your clothing dryer performing? If you notice that it’s not drying loads of laundry as quickly as it used to, or if you notice that it seems to be working extra hard to keep up with your wet laundry, you might be due for dryer vent cleaning or repair. Here is what you need to know about having your dryer vents cleaned or repaired.
Why you need to have your dryer vents cleaned regularly
Many homeowners don’t realize that they should have their clothing dryer vents cleaned and inspected at least once per year to reduce their risk of a dangerous home fire. When you run your clothing dryer, lint is generated. While much of the lint gets caught in the removable lint trap you know to clean regularly, other bits of lint bypass the lint trap. This moist lint is very sticky. First, it will stick to the walls of your clothing dryer vents, and then it will stick to itself. Over time, the lint will build up until it restricts airflow to your dryer. At that point, your clothes dryer can overheat and catch fire. To prevent this, you should be scheduling an annual dryer vent cleaning and inspection.
What professional dryer vent cleaning entails
The only way to ensure that your dryer vents are free from dangerous clogs of lint or debris is with a professional dryer vent cleaning. Professional vent cleaners utilize specialized brushes and vacuums to completely remove any lint or debris from your vents. Professional dryer vent cleaners use high-powered rotating brushes that scrub the sides of your dryer vents cleaned. Then, they apply high-powered vacuums to the end of the dryer vent to fully and cleanly suck any lint or debris out of the dryer vent, without allowing any of the mess to enter your home.
How to tell if you need to have your clothing dryer vents repaired
Sometimes poor clothing dryer performance isn’t a result of a buildup of lint; it’s the result of a damaged dryer vent that’s preventing your dryer from venting properly. That’s another reason a professional dryer vent cleaning also is crucial: A professional dryer vent cleaning also should include a professional dryer vent inspection. During a professional dryer vent inspection, your technician will check all of your vent’s connections, look for damage and evaluate whether your dryer vents are adequately sized and adequate materials.
If your dryer isn’t performing properly, the only way to improve its performance and save your home from a potential fire hazard is with a professional dryer vent cleaning and inspection. The cleaning should help to restore the function of your dryer, and if there is damage to the vent, your inspection will spot it. If you are ready to improve the function of your dryer, call Chimney Care Co. to schedule your dryer vent cleaning today!
National Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 4 through 8!
Did you know that as CSIA-certified chimney sweeps, we at the Chimney Care Co. are charged with educating our customers about fireplace safety? We take that charge seriously, that’s why we’re taking the time to honor National Fire Prevention Week, which runs Oct. 4 through 8. Here is what you should know about fire safety, as it relates to your fireplace, chimney and clothing dryer.
Chimney and fireplace safety tips
Fireplaces are a source of warmth and comfort within the home, but they do pose a fire risk. From chimney fires to popping embers, fireplaces can increase your chances of a home fire. Fortunately, you can do a lot to reduce your risk of a fireplace- or chimney-related fire.
- Have your fireplace and chimney swept and inspected at least once per year. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that all vented heating appliances are swept and inspected at least once per year. Your chimney sweeping removes flammable creosote or any other blockages from the flue, while your chimney and fireplace inspection verifies that all components of your chimney and fireplace are in good repair and operating properly.
- Keep the area around your fireplace free from flammables. It’s recommended that homeowners create a 3-foot zone around their hearth and keep that area free from flammables, like papers, blankets, paper and décor. Also check your mantel; nothing should be dangling down over the fireplace.
- Create a barrier over your hearth. Burning embers or shifting logs can fall from your hearth and burn people or pets who are nearby, or ignite your flooring or other flammable objects. To avoid the danger, use a fireplace screen or fireplace doors to contain your fire to the firebox.
- Never burn other objects in your fireplace. Only burn the fuel your fireplace was intended for. Items like wrapping paper or cardboard can overheat your chimney and spark a fire, while burning a leftover Christmas tree can lead to an excess buildup of flammable creosote in your chimney.
Dyer safety tips
Clothing dryers spark a lot of fires in the United States each year. It’s estimated that dryers are responsible for nearly 15,000 home fires every year. That’s why you need to know how to keep your home and family safe from a dryer fire.
- Clean your lint trap every time. Laundry lint is largely responsible for dryer fires. Make sure you clean your lint trap between every load of laundry, and never run your dryer without the lint screen in place.
- Have your dryer vents professionally cleaned. Even if you’re dedicated to keeping your lint trap clean, lint inevitably bypasses the screen and builds up within your dryer vents. Have your dryer vents cleaned at least once per year to keep blocked vents from inhibiting your dryer’s operation and posing a fire hazard.
- Never overload your dryer. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for load size and operation.
- Check your dryer vent from the outside. Periodically inspect the exterior exhaust for your dryer vent to make sure that it is clear of any debris or landscaping.
At the Chimney Care Co., we want to make sure that you’re doing everything you can to lower your fire risk. Call to schedule your chimney, fireplace or dryer vent cleaning and inspection today!
The importance of dryer vent cleaning
Particles of lint like the ones you regularly clean from your dryer’s lint screen also make their way into your dryer’s vent system, clogging the vent and causing a potential fire or carbon monoxide hazard. Because of that, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that homeowners have their dryer vents cleaned at least once per year, more often for households that do a high volume of laundry. Having your dryer vents professionally cleaned will help you realize several benefits.
Reduce your fire risk
As lint builds up in your clothing dryer vent, the hot air and gases created by the dryer cannot escape your home. The dryer becomes hotter and hotter, leading the highly combustible lint to catch fire. In fact, more than 15,000 house fires, causing more than $230 million in property damage, are caused each year by clothes dryers. The majority of those 15,000 dryer fires, according to the NFPA, could have been prevented with dryer vent cleaning.
In addition to lint build up, your dryer vent can become clogged from the outside by a variety of items. Animals can make their way into your dryer vent and nest or die, blocking the system. Plants growing close to the dryer vent can grow up into the vent if they’re not maintained. The exterior flap on the vent also can get stuck in a closed position. Having your dryer vent cleaned and inspected annually ensures that your dryer vent is cleared, opened and fully functioning.
Increase your dryer’s efficiency
A clogged dryer vent also reduces the efficiency of your dryer. That means clothes will take longer to dry, meaning you’ll increase the time you spend doing laundry and energy costs related to keeping your dryer going. The lack of efficiency also taxes your dryer. When your dryer is fighting with clogged vents to do its jobs, the dryer becomes overworked. Because of that, clogged dryer vents can reduce the lifespan of your clothes dryer.
Know when to have your dryer vent cleaned
While the general recommendation is to have your dryer vent cleaned and inspected at least once a year, there are some signs that indicate your dryer vents are overdue for a cleaning. When your dryer vent isn’t working optimally, your clothes will take longer to dry than normal; your dryer, the clothes in the dryer or your laundry room may seem unusually hot when you’re drying clothes; you may notice a burning smell when your dryer is running; or the scent of your dryer sheets may seem stronger than usual. You also can perform a quick visual inspection of your dryer vent on the outside of your home: If you see lint blowing out of the vent, or if the flap isn’t opening when the dryer is running, your dryer vent should be serviced immediately.
If you’re overdue for a dryer vent cleaning, or if you’ve noticed some of the warning signs listed above, call the Chimney Care Company at 513-248-9600. We can clean your dryer vents and have your dryer running safely and efficiently.