Dryer Vent Cleaning Lint Removal
There’s a hidden fire hazard in almost every home…it’s the dryer vent! Over time, your dryer vent fills with lint that sneaks by your dryer’s filter. Fires can occur when lint builds up in the dryer or in the exhaust duct. Lint can block the flow of air, cause excessive heat build-up, and result in a fire in some dryers.
Isolated incident? Not at all. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that over 15,000 dryer related fires occur each year causing an estimated 97 million dollars in property loss.
ECO Clean Carpet Solutions will inspect and clean your vent, lint trap, around and inside your appliance. If during the inspection we find an issue we will inform you and give you our suggestions. We can also replace or repair your vent. We will NOT clean a plastic hose vent (but we can replace it with a code approved vent).
Clean your Dryer Ducts and Say “No” to Fire and Fumes!
Not surprisingly, some fire departments and insurance companies now require that dryer ducts are inspected and cleaned regularly. Eco Clean Carpet Solutions can provide annual or semi-annual dryer duct cleaning to help you avoid these problems. In addition, properly maintained dryer ducts allow your dryer to operate more efficiently, save energy, time and money, reduce household dust and humidity, and help preserve clothing (many fabrics are damaged by excessive heat).
How Does it Happen?
Dryer fires usually start when lint in ducts restricts air flow, which increases drying time and causes the motor to overheat. Lint underneath the dryer can catch fire, and the air draft draws the fire up into the duct. If the duct is coated or blocked with lint, a house fire can result. The problem also can be precipitated by thermostat and limit switch failure, lint inside the dryer, a missing or damaged lint screen, a crushed hose behind the dryer, or a bird’s nest or other debris blocking the vent.
Your Home Might be at Risk if…
- Dryer ducts have not been inspected and cleaned in more than a year.
- Dryer duct length is more than 25 feet, which slows air flow. (Add five feet for each 90-degree bend.)
- You have a large family and use the dryer often.
- Your dryer has flexible plastic duct. It’s inexpensive, but plastic ductwork is no longer code approved.
- Burning lint ignites it in as little as 12 seconds.
- Your dryer has thin, flexible foil duct. It tends to kink and stop air flow. Instead, use solid metal tubing at least four inches in diameter.
Dryer Duct Warning Signs
- Your dryer is still producing heat, but it takes longer and longer to get your clothes dry, especially heavy materials such as towels and jeans.
- Clothes are still damp or hotter than usual at the end of the drying cycle.
- The outdoor flapper on the vent hood doesn’t open when you turn the dryer on.