Our Company Blog

Reasons to Have Your Dryer Vents Cleaned

For most people, laundry is not a major part of the day. Perhaps it goes ignored for several days or a week, sometimes more. Life is filled with many tasks much more interesting, urgent, and exciting than doing laundry, so this mindset is understandable. For safety reasons, however, laundry should not be forgotten about for too long. The clothes dryer, in particular, needs special attention to keep it running safely.

Everyday basic care for the dryer can help lengthen its functional life and keep the home and family safe. One good measure to take is to empty the lint trap before and after every load. Leaving one or more layers of lint in the trap limits the air flow through the machine, increasing the drying time and the risk of fire. In addition, avoid overloading the dryer because this reduces the efficiency. Some items may remain damp while others become extremely hot, even dangerously hot.

Another very important measure to take that can keep the machine safe and functional is to have the dryer vents professionally cleaned at least once every year. The dryer vent is the wide pipe running from the dryer to the outdoor vent flap that expels the hot, damp air from the system. Lint that does not catch in the trap is forced out through the vent, and over time, it can build up in the pipe. The lint can block the vent completely, or it may clog the vent flap, preventing it from opening properly. Schedule an appointment to have this vent cleared of lint, dust, and other debris every year. However, if the clothes seem to be drying more slowly or if the vent flap no longer opens while the dryer is running, stop using the machine and call for a cleaning right away, even if it has been less than a year since the last cleaning.

Having the dryer vents cleaned on a regular basis is important because neglecting to do this can result in devastating fires. The lint that builds up in the vent is continually exposed to very hot air. Since lint is very flammable, this intense heat exposure can result in ignition and a dangerous fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 16,800 home structure fires began in the laundry room across the country in 2010. Ninety-two percent of these fires started with the clothes dryer, and the leading cause was failure to clean the appliance.

Fortunately, you do not have to become one of these frightening statistics. Taking good care of your dryer on a day-to-day basis and having the vents cleaned at least once every year can make all the difference. If you need your dryer vents cleaned and you live in the western or central portion of Suffolk Country, get in touch with Chief Chimney Services, Inc. to schedule the appointment today.

The Importance of a Chimney Cap

The official start of winter is just a few days off, which means homeowners everywhere are lighting up their fireplaces and wood stoves to keep warm. The privilege of having a fireplace in the home includes cozy evenings curled up on the couch and creating the perfect holiday backdrop. However, having a fireplace also comes with a certain set of responsibilities for keeping it safe and functional. Most homeowners know the basic rule of having the chimney swept and inspected every year, but the knowledge usually stops there. The details about the fireplace and chimney often go unnoticed. One aspect of the chimney that often gets forgotten is the chimney cap.

The chimney cap provides protection in surprising, cost-effective ways, in spite of its basic structure. Generally built with stainless steel or copper materials, the chimney cap guards the inside of the chimney from where it sits at the very top. A key function of the chimney cap is to stop critters from making a home of the chimney. With colder weather upon them, the animals that stick around for winter become very intent on finding a warm home out of the elements. Unfortunately, the warm chimney makes a pretty attractive home for little animals that do not know any better, and an uncapped chimney could end up blocked by a nest. With an obstruction like this, the fumes from the next fire cannot properly vent from the home. They start to back up into the living air, putting inhabitants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and other harmful inhalations.

Chimney caps also act as an umbrella for the chimney by preventing water from freely pouring down the inside. If water is allowed to enter the chimney, it can leave some serious damage it its wake. First, the metal flue liner starts to rust, which exposes the interior of the chimney and the home to the acidic smoke and heat from the fire. Next, the water trickles down to the damper and rusts that out too. A rusted damper could prevent the fireplace from venting properly. Water damage may also show up inside the home, as evidenced by water stains on the walls and ceiling around the fireplace.

Luckily, by investing in the installation of a chimney cap, you can completely avoid expensive problems like this. Ask your chimney specialist if your home needs a new chimney cap. Your current chimney cap may be outdated or damaged, or it may be completely missing! Either way, a chimney specialist can safely determine this for you and help you choose the right new chimney cap. If you live in the Suffolk County area of Hudson Valley, contact Chief Chimney Services, Inc. for a professional consultation.