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!
Reasons to Invest in a Chimney Cap
One of the best places to invest in your chimney happens to sit on top, likely out of sight and out of mind. If you’re looking to protect your home and your chimney from serious and costly damage, you should invest in a chimney cap. Here’s why.
Protect your chimney from water damage
The No. 1 reason to invest in a chimney cap for your home is to protect your chimney and fireplace from water damage. Without a chimney cap in place, rain, sleet and snow all fall freely into your chimney. Water in your chimney can weaken chimney liners. It can cause cracks in masonry chimney liners and rust in metal ones. Water coming in through your chimney also can rust and damage your damper, fireplace doors, and fireplace grate. Water can damage your firebox’s masonry or metal components, as well. An investment in a chimney cap can save you from having to invest in repairing water damage to your fireplace and chimney.
Keep birds and animals out
An open chimney serves as an invitation to birds and animals seeking warmth and shelter from the elements. At a minimum, a cap-free chimney can result in a bird or bat flapping noisily around your chimney or finding its way into your home. On a more serious note, birds or animals can build nests in the chimney that block the chimney’s flue and pose fire hazards. Or, the animal itself can find its way into your home to cause damage and threaten you, your family or your pets. A chimney cap secured with a cage surround can prevent animals from entering your chimney and causing damage or other problems.
Block downdrafts
Sudden gusts of wind through your chimney can chill your home or cause ashes and embers to come bursting out of your fireplace. A chimney cap blocks downdrafts from chilling your home, forcing smoke from your fireplace back into your home or causing a spray of embers from your fireplace.
Stop debris from entering the chimney
When the wind blows, it’s not just drafts that can find their way into your chimney. Leaves, branches, and other debris can blow into your chimney. Once inside, the debris in your chimney can cause blockages that can combust and cause a fire hazard, or that can prevent smoke and carbon monoxide from exiting your home safely through your chimney. A chimney cap with a wire surround can block debris from entering your chimney.
If your chimney cap is missing or damaged, or it’s not made from a durable material like stainless steel or copper, it’s time to protect your chimney, your fireplace, and your home by investing in a chimney cap. Call the Chimney Care Co. to learn about your chimney cap options today!