According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 2,900 dryer vent fires happen each year causing $35 million in property damage, and failure to clean the dryer is the leading cause of this. Here are some things you can do to help prevent putting your home and family at risk:
clean the lint trap before and after every cycle
ensure the wall cap on the outside of the house is intact and free from debris
Look behind the dryer to ensure the venting is not crushed
Have the interior of the dryer and venting cleaned by a professional
Following these simple rules can help reduce the risk of a fire being caused by the dryer vent. Keep in mind that dryer vents should never extend more than 35ft of rigid(non-flexible) venting. Each elbow in the vent equals about 5ft of straight venting. A couple of things happen when the venting is too long. First, it decreases airflow in the dryer. This causes longer dry times. It also causes lint to not be blown through the vent as well. The long vent also causes condensation in the vent for the lint to stick to and start building up. No plastic venting should ever be used. If you do have some flexible venting, the USFA recommends no more than 8ft of it.
If you would like your dryer and venting cleaned, feel free to book an appointment online here. We will come out and ensure your home and family are safe for a flat fee of $249*.
* The dryer and vent must be easily accessible and the technician must be able to reach the outside wall cap from the ground.
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