Clean Dryer Vents – Avoid Wasting Energy – Avoid Risking Fire

Clean Dryer Vents – Avoid Wasting Energy – Avoid Risking Fire

Clean Dryer Vents – Avoid Wasting Energy – Avoid Risking Fire

Shawn Chesney Home Inspections would like to remind you to regularly check your dryer vent. Clogged Dryer Vents have been listed as the number one cause of devastating home fires and can very easily become a deadly oversight. Dryers that are centrally located in houses are most prone to plugging because of the longer ducts. Excess lint is only one reason ducts get clogged; nesting pests and stuck exhaust hood flappers can also cause backups.

House fires are not the only effect of clogged dryer vents. A plugged dryer vent will cause your dryer to run inefficiently, use more electricity and at today’s prices, costs extra money. Plugged dryer vents will also cause the dryer to take much longer to dry the clothes properly. Stronger odors and longer dry times are two signs your vent is plugged.

You’ll have to remove the vent from the back of the dryer to clean it. Suck debris from the ducts with a wet/dry vac, or ream them out with a cleaning kit that includes a brush on a long flexible rod that attaches to a power drill. The kits are available at home centers. If your ducts need replacing, get smooth metal ducts, which will stay cleaner longer than the rough corrugated surface of flexible ducts. Avoid plastic ducting altogether; it can be a fire hazard.

CO, smoke and fire alarms are always important to place in your laundry area as well. All efforts to help insure the safety of your family are highly encouraged. Alarms are inexpensive, readily available at all home improvement or retail outlets, they are easy to install and can save lives.

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