Before Cleaning                                    After Cleaning

 

Dryer Vent 101

When it comes to dryer fires, 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, neither flexible or rigid, are far safer because they don't sag, so lint is less likely to accumulate. What’s more, if a fire does start, a metal duct is more likely to contain it.

No matter which kind of duct you have, clean it regularly. Also clean the lint screen each time you use your dryer and get rid of any lint inside, behind, and underneath the dryer. These simple steps will not only reduce the risk of a fire, but your dryer will also dry your clothes faster and use less energy.

Anatomy of a Dryer Fire
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. Naturally, any lint that has collected under the dryer will burn and the draft from the dryer will pull that fire up into the duct. Since the duct may be coated or even blocked with lint, many times a house fire results. Other contributing conditions may include failure of the thermostat and limit switches in the dryer, 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.


                        


Dryer Fire Fact Sheet Statistics and Implications
- Dryer exhaust fires now surpass creosote (chimney) fires in frequency on a national level. In 1998, the most recent statistics available, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that over 15,600 dryer fires occurred killing 20 people, injuring 370 more and causing over $75.4 million in property damage. According to the CPSC, in most of these cases the culprit was lint getting into the machine’s heating element, sparking and fueling a fire. Not surprisingly, some fire departments and insurance companies now require that dryer vents be inspected and cleaned regularly. - With gas dryers, there is also concern of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Since lint and flue gases use the same avenue of exit from the house, a blocked vent can cause CO fumes to back up into the house. These fumes are colorless and odorless and they can be fatal. Low-level CO poisoning mimics flu symptoms (without the fever): headache, weakness, nausea, disorientation and deep fatigue. At higher levels, occupants can fall asleep, lapse into a coma and die.

Warning Signs
- Dryer is still producing airflow, no heat. It takes longer and longer to dry clothes, especially towels and jeans or any other article of clothing. - Clothes are damp or hotter than usual at the end of the cycle. - Outdoor flapper on vent hood doesn't open when dryer is on. - Airflow in the vent seems low.

                    

Benefits to Dryer Vent Cleaning Regularly
- Allows your dryer to operate more efficiently, using less energy and saving you money. - Protects your dryer from excess wear and premature death. - Helps clothes dry faster—a time savings for busy families. - Reduces excess household dust and humidity - Helps preserve clothing, as the life of many fabrics is damaged by excessive high heat. PREVENTS A POSSIBLE DRYER FIRE!Excessive lint build up could be a potential fire hazard, as well as excessive energy consumption, causing your dryer to work harder than it should.

                      

What you should know about the dangers of a congested dryer vent:

WARNING! if you have a gas dryer, it is possible that carbon monoxide may leak into your home, if your dryer is not properly vented.  If your dryer vent becomes congested with lint and other debris, it can cause your dryer to overheat.

Here at Envirosafe safety is #1 so we perform free electronic gas leak tests on all gas dryers.

All dryer vent cleanings come with a 3 month no clog guarantee on

the main vent pipe inside the structure.   **NOTE**   vent caps are   excluded due to poor design and exposure to the elements.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Dallas,Mesquite,Rockwall, Rowlett,Grand Prairie,Frisco,The Colony,Balch Springs Irving,Plano,Forney