Categories Dryer Fire Prevention, Dryer Fire Safety, Dryer Vent Cleaning

Why Screens Should Not be Used on Dryer Vent End Caps

Clogged dryer vent

Screens Should Not be Used On Dryer Vent!

Screens should never be used on dryer vents for the simple reason they prevent lint escaping. Whilst this does not happen straight away it does so slowly over time, damp air escapes first followed by lint that sticks to the dampness inside the dryer vent and if a screen or grill is fitted the lint starts to bond to it too. Over a period of time this then forms a lint plug like you see in the photo.

Keep Pests Out Can Increase The Risk of a Dryer Fire?

Some people put screens over the end cap of their dryer vent to prevent birds or critters from moving in. Whilst this may seem to make sense, the truth is it is not the best of decisions as once the vent gets plugged at the end the lint has no where else to go. Just like cholesterol it builds up over time and starts to restrict the airflow thus lint starts to accumulate inside the dryer itself. Lint starts to settle inside the dryer cabinet and on or around the dryers heating element.

Dryer Fires Start Inside The Dryer

So the screen on the end of the dryer vent caused a lint plug, this then causes the lint to accumulate more through the dryer vent and inside the dryer. The lint inside the dryer is what causes dryer fires, the heating element glows red and reaches temperatures as high as 190 degrees fahrenheit all it needs is for a clump of lint to sit on the element and you can have a dryer fire on your hands.

Never Leave Your Dryer Running When No One is Home

The dryer should only be run when someone is in the house, also you should not run the dryer when sleeping at night this is not to scare you but just to draw attention to the fact there are hidden dangers in the home and the dryer is one of them.

 

Author VentExpert
Categories Dryer Vent Cleaning

How Dryer Fires Happen

dryer firesDryer fires are one of the major causes of house fires since the demise of the chip pan! Dryers are the forgotten appliance! When it comes to the lack of consideration the builders and architects apply when installing and choosing the location for the dryer, and what the building codes regard as safe practice in terms of length and material used.

Many homes we see and that includes newer homes have excessive lint build up for various reasons as detailed below.

Reasons for Lint Build Up

  • The outside vent’s louvers are not opening freely so lint and damp air cannot escape
  • Foil hose at the back of the dryer is kinked and therefore restricting air flow
  • Crazy installers have cut the end of the duct connected to the vent and just shoved it in. This makes a restricted exit that traps lint leading to a clogged dryer vent.
  • Time – if the dryer vent has not been cleaned for a number of years it is like cholesterol as lint builds up slowly before it becomes a real issue.
  • Termination vent location – dryers that vent to the second floor or to the roof are virtually impossible for most home owners to access and maintain, out of sight out of mind.
  • Excessive lint build up below the lint trap – this causes a plug so airflow is restricted.
  • Excessive 90 degree elbows and bends – reducing air flow causing lint to build up.
  • Roof vents! – We see so many roof vents that clearly state “Not for use as a dryer vent” hard to believe but these roofing companies in Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton and Mississauga cannot read! Warnings are put there for a reason yet many choose to ignore them. The main reason they are not suitable is because they have a very tight mesh that prevents lint getting through, this cause a plug then lint builds up through the whole system. We actually modify these screens so it is easier for lint to escape.

Dryer Fires Start Inside a Dryer

There is a reason scouts carry lint to start fires when they are at camp … it burns really well and is easy to ignite! Inside the dryer you have a heater element that reaches as high as 190 degrees which circulates hot air around the dryer and vents out the dryer vent. But if there is a blockage through the dryer vent the lint and damp air does not escape, the lint then starts to build up inside the dryer around the element. Then all it takes is for a piece of lint to touch on the dryer element and it to start smouldering then land on the lint that’s already accumulated and the fire starts.

Why You Need Dryer Vent Cleaning

Dryer vent cleaning reduces the risk of fire and ensures the dryer is running efficiently. Modern homes have longer dryer vents meaning the lint builds up, airflow starts to get reduced and lint and damp air remain inside the dryer vent.

 

Author VentExpert
Categories Dryer Vent Cleaning

Don’t Think You Need Your Dryer Vent Cleaning? Think Again

dryer exhaust cleaningIt is amazing how many of our customers think that their dryer vent cleaning  is not needed.  Possibly due to the fact they clean the lint trap out after each use puts them at ease, thinking all is well. The truth is that just because you clean out the lint trap, it does not mean your dryer is running efficiently. Lint builds up when there is an accumulation in the dryer exhaust system. The vent hood could be blocked because we all forget to check the flaps are flapping about as the dryer runs. You could have a long dryer vent run with several 90 degree bends or even a birds nest or ice lodging in your dryer vent, there are many reasons. But the truth is the dryer and dryer vent should be part of essential home maintenance, the general rule being 1-2 people in the home dryer vent cleaning every 2 years, 2-4 people in the house every year the dryer vent should be cleaned, 6+ then you should be at least once per year in not every 6 months. Then the dryer itself should be inspected and cleaned to remove lint build up.

Dryer Cleaning & Dryer Vent Cleaning in Burlington & Oakville

Yesterday we cleaned a ladies dryer vent in Millcroft area of Burlington. We only cleaned the vent which vented on the roof,  the dryer was under warranty from Samsung. The dryer technician came out for her 1 year old dryer and said she needed to clean her dryer vent. Not knowing here to call she called the local fire department, then a duct cleaning company,  then she found us on Google. When we got there she had the foil dryer hose, which is not recommended by the manufacturer or us they burn and spread the fire into the walls.

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When we finished cleaning her house and the neighbors, we went canvassing to promote our service.  In Millcroft before Christmas there was a dryer fire, well we met a lady who had had a dryer fire and put it out herself using baking soda, determined not to lose her house and the $$$$’s in Reno costs she had just a spent she considers herself lucky and the 10 townhouses she links too! Why are so many people in the dark, and reluctant to address a real issue that is there in their home?

Today we meet a mom of 2 great kids who thinks that it is just a crappy dryer making her clothes take so long to dry. After chatting she agreed to let us show her the real issues.

Why She Needed Her Dryer & Dryer Vent Cleaning

  • Her dryer was taking 2-3 cycles to dry each load
  • Her dryer was really hot to touch
  • Her ducts were cold after a few feet (heat was stuck in her dryer)
  • No air was coming our from the dryer vent hood

When we showed her the issues, she then told us 2 family members had experienced house fires – 1 had lost his home. We cleaned the dryer and the whole dryer vent system, the dryer let out a sigh of relief as we started it it was running quieter, the dryer was no longer red hot to touch, you could feel the whole dryer vent was warm and there was air coming out the dryer vent hood. A really happy customer which really makes our day!

Replacing Your Dryer Please Clean Your Dryer Vent

We see time and time again people buying a new dryer because they think the old one is on it’s last legs. What they do not realize is their dryer vent is clogged! So they install their nice shiny new dryer and find they have the same problem, clothes take a long time to dry.

Last Friday we take a call for a gent who was replacing his dryer and needed the dryer vent cleaning. This guy is smart, so many people buy a new dryer thinking the old one is faulty only to find they still have a problem … they have a clogged dryer vent. We arrive and find the dryer vent is choked, they have lived in the house 6 years just the 2 of them. We removed 1 1/2 vacuum loads of lint. The homeowner wants to know why no  one is educating her and others to the perils inside ones clothes dryer … we are slowly and surely.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Do Not Neglect Your Dryer or Dryer Vent!

If you are a homeowner, hair studio, laundromat, property management company, hotel, residential home, daycare running a dryer that is taking too long to dry a load contact us today. If you are school, daycare or charity organization contact us for our free dryer and free dryer vent cleaning service.

Author VentExpert
Categories Dryer Fire Prevention, Dryer Fire Safety, Dryer Vent Cleaning

Why You Should Not Use Foil or Vinyl Dryer Vent Hoses

dryer warning label
Click to View Large Dryer Warning Label

The fact that some stores still sell those flimsy white vinyl dryer hoses (known as transition hose) is unbelievable, in fact it is almost criminal! Some stores are also using the Thin foil transition hoses when they install a new dryer, totally ignoring what is clearly written on the dryers warning label. The dryer vent should be of 4 inch diameter, however when the thin foil or vinyl is used and compressed it as well as reducing the diameter to 3 inches it has lots of ridges to trap and accumulate lint and reduce air flow.

Do Not Use Plastic Dryer Transition Hose

All dryer manufacturers say that you should not use plastic dryer hoses, or thin foil, this means that in the event of a dryer fire if your insurance company were to pick up on this, they would not accept your claim as you failed to follow the recommendations stated by the .

In the states there have been several class action cases against retailers who were installing foil or plastic hoses, this follows insurance companies failing to pay out after a fire based on the wrong transition hose installed.

* The lawsuits state the retailers’ installers attached metal foil or plastic vents to dryers sold to consumers instead of heavy metal ones recommended by manufacturers, creating conditions that could cause fires or death.

Dryer Warning Labels

This dryer warning label which is located on the back of all dryers clearly states you should use a heavy metal vent and “DO NOT USE PLASTIC OR THIN FOIL DUCT”. The reason they say this is because these type of dryer hoses will feed the fire, the vinyl will melt and spread a fire should one occur.

What Sort of Hose is best for Your Dryer?

best dryer hoseThe best dryer hose is semi-rigid or rigid metal duct these are fire proof and are what your dryer manufacturer recommends.

Maintain Your Dryer

Your dryer needs maintenance to ensure it runs efficiently.  It is recommended you clean your dryer vent out and have it inspected annually, and have your dryer cleaned out every couple of years. We offer professional Dryer Cleaning as well as dryer vent cleaning in and around Burlington, Ontario. Call 905 966 0838 today to schedule a visit from the Dryer Vent Cleaner.

 

*source of lawsuit http://fr.reuters.com/article/idUKN2144007020080521

Author VentExpert