Dryer 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.
