Chimney Care Company's Blog
We Offer More Than Just Chimney Care!
When you think of chimney care, you think about getting your chimney inspected and cleaned. Maybe you need your flashing replaced, or maybe your dampers are rusty and not closing completely. If you’re having smoke issues, give your chimney care professionals a call and they can fix that for you. But when you call the experts at Chimney Care Co., did you know that there are many other jobs we can do for you? There are many things that we can do that are associated with your chimney. We can fix your chimney crown or your flashing, or we can look into getting you a new chimney cap if yours is rusted or twisted. We can check out the condition of your chimney liner as well, and make sure that your chimney isn’t blocked. These are just a few of the things we’ll be looking at when we come in to do your chimney maintenance each year. We can take care of all of your chimney and fireplace needs, and we can take care of your dryer vents as well!
Dryer Vent Care
Just about every fireplace owner knows that it’s important to have their chimney inspected and cleaned on an annual basis. But did you know that it’s just as important to have your dryer vents cleaned out on an annual basis? Many people don’t realize that clogged dryer vents can be a cause of house fires. We think that just cleaning the lint screen from time to time is doing enough to keep the dryer vents clear, but this just isn’t the case.
How the Drying Cycle Works
When you put your clothes in the washing machine, tiny particles of the cloth will be pulled away from the clothes. This is perfectly normal. When your clothes get thrown in the dryer, the drum spins and the paddles inside the drum carry your clothes from the bottom to the top. From there, they fall back down to the bottom and are carried up again. Warm air is forced through the drum and dries the clothes as they fall. The tiny, loosened particles are blown through as well, and then out through the dryer vent and into the outside air. The air is filtered through the lint screen, which catches many of those tiny, loose particles. This makes up that blanket of lint that you pull out after every load or two. Unfortunately, not all these particles are caught, and those that sneak through go with the moist, warm air through the dryer vent. Some will stick to the vent on the way through, and that’s where the trouble starts As more and more particles stick, eventually, you can have a thick layer of lint lining the vents, and that blanket of lint is extremely flammable. Just one little spark and you could have a devastating house fire.
A house fire is the worst-case scenario, but this layer of lint can cause other problems as well. As your vents fill, it gets harder and harder for the warm air to get through. This causes a strain on the motor of your dryer, causing it to wear out faster than it should. It also means that it takes longer for your clothes to dry. If you find yourself running the dryer cycle for two or three times to get your clothes dry, it could very well mean that your dryer vents are full. These are the reasons that it is so important to have your dryer vents cleaned by the professionals at Chimney Care Co. at least annually, and more often if you notice that there is a problem with slow drying times.
Your Full-Service Chimney and Dryer Maintenance Company
If you’re looking for dryer vent cleaning or chimney care, the best place to turn is Chimney Care Co. Our technicians are fully trained to take care of any maintenance and repairs you may have when it comes to chimney care and dryer vent care, and we’ve received top service awards from Angie’s List, Home Advisor, and the Better Business Bureau. We are certified chimney sweeps and dryer exhaust technicians through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), which is the highest certification in the industry. This certification gives us access to all the latest education, training, and technologies offered. We stay on top of our trainings so that our customers get the best possible service available.
If you live in Ohio, you know what winter weather is really like. Don’t take chances when it comes to your family’s safety during those cold winter months. Make sure that both your chimney and your dryer are in the best and safest working conditions so that you don’t have to worry about a chimney or a dryer vent fire. We’re not happy until we know that all of our customers are safe and happy, so give us a call soon to set up an appointment to have those dryer vents cleaned!