Have you ever heard a news report about a dryer sparking a dangerous house fire? Most homes have dryers, but most homeowners are unaware of the potential fire hazards. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently reported that thousands of fires are sparked by clogged dryer vents– averaging close to 15,000 cases each year!
Heavy dryer use can cause lint build-up in the dryer tube. Excessive lint in the dryer tube is a hazard—rising heat can cause excessive lint to catch fire. In these cases, cleaning the lint filter is not enough. To prevent a fire hazard, maintenance and cleaning of your dryer vent is essential.
Over time, too, excessive lint can reduce air flow, increasing drying time and energy usage.
On your own, you can take a few steps. First, make sure a flexible metal is used to connect your dryer and the duct. You should check this connection periodically to make sure it is not damaged or torn. Secondly, make sure your dryer’s air flow is strong and hot. Finally, we recommend a dryer vent cleaning performed yearly by a professional with the right equipment.