A dryer vent system is a vehicle for exhausting lint and moisture from your laundry. One load of laundry can have up to one gallon of water. One 4 foot thread of fiber from your laundry can produce up to ½ cup of lint.
A dryer vent system typically has at least two “elbows” or 90 degree turns. With each elbow, the system is forced to work harder to exhaust the lint and moisture.
Just like a boulder in a river or stream, it is the source of buildup and backflow of moisture. Lint buildup will compromise your dryer, your home, and cost extra drying time and repeated drying cycles not to mention the vent system will expel lint into your home (consider more dusting and the time spent there as well) and you will have poor air quality for those living and visiting in the home.
Moisture not vented to the exterior will create pooling and even greater damage to sheetrock, wood, and insulation. Here is where mold can begin opportunistically and spread to areas far beyond the origination source. Immediately before mold begins a home can see such great water pooling that sheetrock and the home structure itself is compromised.
Every manufacturer of Dryers recommends, at minimum, a yearly cleaning of the dryer ventilation system.
Service professionals that repair appliances, clean HVAC ducting, clean carpets, or clean chimneys cannot provide nor will they have the specialized equipment we provide. We clean dryer vents, it’s all we do and it is what we know with over 25 years of experience. Our technicians have fully equipped vehicles and dedicated equipment for dryer vents and dryer vent repair only. No other service professional can equip a vehicle with our level of specific equipment. Do it right the first time, call us for a consultation and we can figure out your needs and get your home and family protected.

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The leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires is failure to clean them.

Dryers and washing machines were involved in one out of every 22 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments in 2006-2010.
Facts and figures

In 2010, an estimated 16,800 reported U.S. non-confined or confined home structure fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines resulted in 51 civilian deaths, 380 civilian injuries and $236 million in direct property damage.
Clothes dryers accounted for 92% of the fires; washing machines 4%, and washer and dryer combinations accounted for 4%.
The leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires was failure to clean (32%), followed by unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction (22%). Eight percent were caused by some type of electrical failure or malfunction.

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Truths and myths of dryer fires

Improper dryer vents are a much bigger and more common safety problem. Here are a few tips to keep your clothes dryer running safely and efficiently.

• Use metal dryer ducts to help prevent dryer fires. Consumer Reports says that flexible dryer ducts made of foil or plastic are the most problematic because they can sag and let lint build up at low points. Ridges can also trap lint. Metal ducts, either flexible or solid, are far safer because they don’t sag, so lint is less likely to build up. In addition, if a fire does start, a metal duct is more likely to contain it.
• No matter which kind of duct you have, you should clean it regularly. In addition, remove the visible lint from the lint screen each time you use your dryer. This not only will reduce the risk of a fire, but your clothes will dry faster and your dryer will use less energy. If dryer film is a worry, there is certainly no harm in occasionally cleaning the lint filter with warm soapy water and a small brush.
• Clean inside, behind, and underneath the dryer, where lint can also build up.
• Take special care drying clothes stained with volatile chemicals such as gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents, or finishing oils and stains. Wash the clothing more than once to minimize the amount of these chemicals on the clothing, and line dry instead of using a dryer.
• Avoid using liquid fabric softener on all-cotton clothing made of fleece, terry cloth, or velour. In our flammability tests, liquid fabric softener added to rinse water accelerated the burning speed of these fabrics. If you want a softener, use dryer sheets instead.
• Buy dryers that use moisture sensors rather than ordinary thermostats to end the auto-dry cycle. Thermostats can allow the dryer to run longer than necessary.
• Occasionally wipe the sensor with a soft cloth or cotton ball and rubbing alcohol to keep it functioning accurately. Sensors are usually located on the inside of the dryer, just below the door opening, and can be hard to find. They are usually two curved metallic strips, shaped somewhat like the letter “C”..

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Breathe easier! Feel better! Save money! We recommend that you have your air ducts cleaned every two or three years for a healthier home. Your home’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is important. Having a clean, properly functioning heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system is vital to maintaining a clean healthy and comfortable living environment. And a newly cleaned system runs more efficiently than a dirty one, resulting in lower utility bills and a cleaner, less dusty home. Dust, dirt, pollen, animal dander and other airborne contaminants are pulled into your HVAC system every time the furnace or air conditioner runs.

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When is the last time you thought about your dryer vent? Few people realize the lint from your clothes ends up not only in the lint trap but also flows into the dryer vent where it accumulates over time. Highly combustible lint combined with excessive temperatures from the dryer is a recipe for Dryer Fires.

Dryer fires usually start beneath the dryer when the motor overheats. Overheating is caused by a build-up of lint in the duct that increases the drying time and blocks the flow of air. Other contributing conditions may include lint inside the dryer, a missing or damaged lint screen, an excessively long vent, non-code vent material (plastic, vinyl and non-rated foil) that may kink or stop airflow, or a bird’s nest or other debris blocking the vent.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there are 15,500 Dryer Fires, 10 deaths and 10 injuries associated with dryers annually, with costs over $80 million. Dryer vent cleaning significantly reduces the risk of this type of Dryer Fires.

Warning Signs

• Dryer is still producing heat but taking longer and longer to dry clothes.
• Clothes are hotter than usual at the end of the cycle or smell burnt.
• Outdoor flapper on vent hood doesn’t fully open when the dryer is on.
• Condensation is found on the dryer’s interior.

Additional Benefits to Dryer Vent Cleaning

• Allows dryer to operate more efficiently and saves you money.
• Protects dryer from excess wear and premature death.
• Helps clothes dry faster-a time saver for busy families.
• Reduces excess household dust and humidity.
• Helps preserve clothing, as many fabrics are damaged by excessive heat.

Dryer Vent Cleaning

Service providers should thoroughly inspect your dryer vent line from the dryer to the termination point outside your home. A brush and vacuum system is the most effective method of cleaning vents, and providers should have a tool long enough to clean the entire vent. Plastic, vinyl or foil vent material could be damaged by cleaning tools, allowing moisture to flow into walls or living spaces. This can result in mold growth and respiratory illness. This material should be replaced with code-compliant vent material.

By following these simple guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of having a dryer fire or moisture damage in your home. And always remember – never run the clothes dryer while you are out of the house or sleeping, and it really is important to clean your lint trap every time you dry a load of clothes.

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