What occurs if a dryer is improperly vented?
The creation of washers and dryers is fantastic. Imagine having to hand-wash every article of clothing and then hang it outside to dry. Clothing drying would take days. You probably don’t think much about your dryer as long as it is functioning well, but that could be harmful. According to research by the United States Fire Administration, accidents involving clothes dryers result in about 15 fatalities and 400 injuries per year.
Unsafe conditions are ready to occur in clogged dryer vents. Lint-filled vents that are only partially clogged can lengthen drying times and use energy, while completely blocked vents can start fires. Your garments are still damp after a full drying cycle, your laundry area is overheated, and/or your dryer is regularly utilized. These are just a few of the warning indications that you have a dirty dryer vent. Cleaning your lint trap before or after each load of laundry is one of the ways—possibly the best way—to lessen the likelihood of a dryer fire in your house.
Most homes have dryer vent systems that are a little longer than 5 or 10 feet. However, multifamily buildings’ venting systems can be hundreds of feet long and can hold accumulated lint, fabric, tiny pieces of clothing, and just about anything else that can make its way from the dryer into the venting system, including lint that has been there for decades.
Lint buildup can result in major issues if you don’t have your dryer vents cleaned and examined. Over time, lint and debris might accumulate in your clothes dryer, decreasing the dryer’s ability to exhaust properly. If you use a gas clothes dryer, this raises the threat of fires and possible carbon monoxide penetration. Lethal carbon monoxide can be blasted into your home if an exhaust duct in a gas dryer is obstructed by debris or lint or if the dryer is not vented properly.
Inspections of dryer exhaust vents are more necessary than ever because of how modern homes are constructed. In the past, dryers were placed close to exterior walls, making the dryer venting system simple to maintain. Dryer ducts are becoming more challenging to reach. There is more length, and the longer distance indicates, among other things, that birds and other animals may decide to make their homes there. The Chimney Safety Institute of America advises that it is preferable to entrust a professional to check your clothes dryer, clean it, and ensure that the venting system is installed and sized properly. These specialized specialists must pass a rigorous qualification exam on dryer vent maintenance, inspection, and applicable standards and codes in order to become qualified. Clothes dry twice as slowly, the dryer runs at greater temperatures than intended, and the appliance’s lifespan is reduced when the dryer vent is blocked. Additionally, a fire could start if the heating element burns out or the safety controls are overworked.
Keep in mind that dryer vents that aren’t properly maintained or aren’t serviced properly are to blame for over 15,000 fires. To ensure safety and improved dryer performance and efficiency, schedule your dryer vent cleaning and have your chimney inspected by a Local Chimney Cleaning Drytown expert as well.
Improve the Efficiency of Your Fireplace Drytown
Why Is Relining A Chimney Important Drytown