Dryer duct cleaning does more than just remove excess lint and dust. It protects homes from fires and high levels of carbon monoxide. Failure to clean the dryer is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires in the USA, with a heightened occurrence during the winter months. Dryer ducts should be serviced annually to protect from dangerous situations. While there are measures homeowners can take themselves to keep the vent clean and prevent dangerous situations, hiring a professional dryer duct cleaning service is a surefire way to safeguard against hazards.
Installing with Professional Services
Clothing dryers should always be installed by a professional. This ensures that the correct electrical plug and outlet are used, and that the dryer is properly connected. Professional technicians will have a set of industry standards to base their work on, and further, to adhere to recommendations set forth by the National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These standards are designed to keep households and buildings safe from fire hazards and other potential health risks associated with conventional dryer use. In addition to connecting with professional services, homeowners should read the manufacturer’s instructions and gain an understanding of the care manual and potential hazards. Included in the manual will be recommendations for dryer duct cleaning, and instructions for proper maintenance.
Keeping it Clean
Many homeowners are unaware of the dangers of not maintaining dryer vents, and yet dryer vent fires cause an estimated $35 million in damages every year. A simple everyday cleaning task is cleaning the lint filer before and after every load of laundry. This works as a preventative measure and reduces the build-up of lint in the dryer vent. The back of the dryer is another culprit for lint build-up, and a quick wipe down will remove excess lint. While cleaning out the internal workings of the dryer, homeowners should take the time to clean around the outside and behind the dryer as well. Keeping the area clean helps prevent debris build up. The vent pipe should be cleaned every three months by a proper dryer duct cleaning service to reduce risks, and ideally, dryers should be fully cleaned out regularly by professional services.
A Cleaner Dryer Means More Efficiency
Keeping dryer ducts clean results in not only safer conditions, but also a more efficient machine. Clean vents equal greater dryer efficiency. In addition to keeping a household safe, dryer duct cleaning results in higher efficiency in dryers. Lint and debris build up in the dryer vent over time, forcing dryers to work harder and run for longer periods of time per cycle.
Maintaining Dryer Ducts
The key to limiting potential risks and keeping an efficient dryer is regular and diligent maintenance. Regularly inspecting the venting system behind the dryer for any damages and covering outside wall dampers to protect them from the elements are good practices to keeping a dryer healthy. Checking to make sure the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is on is another important maintenance task that can easily be done by a homeowner. Small animals and insects are known to build nests near these vents which can cause some serious damage to the venting system. Homeowners should regularly check the outside vent to ensure nothing is blocking the air flow from the dryer. There are a number of methods for homeowners to maintain their dryer ducts, but ultimately, hiring professional dryer duct cleaning services is the most effective approach to keeping a well-maintained dryer system. For those with gas-powered dryers, it is crucial that a professional is brought in every year to ensure the gas line and connection are together and free of leaks.
A Clean Dryer Duct for a Safe Home
Dryer ducts are often not on the priority list in the household. There are so many other bits and pieces around the house with greater visibility. Dryer duct cleaning unfortunately falls prey to “out of sight, out of mind” for many households; nevertheless, the maintenance of dryer vents is important for household cleanliness and overall safety. Contracting a professional dryer duct cleaning service regularly will keep household dryer vents clean and will significantly decrease the risks associated with dryers. Not just households, but multi-family dwellings, hotels, hospitals, laundromats—pretty well any building with a dryer should be having professional services hired regularly.
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