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The Importance of Dryer Vent Cleaning

During the summer, many homeowners stop using their dryers because they tend to heat up the house, add to the utility bill, and is also a headache. If your dryer is causing problems, then it may actually have problems. It is time to call the professionals for a cleaning.The Importance of Dryer Vent Cleaning - Suffolk NY - Chief Chimney

Take Proper Care of Your Dryer

Your clothes dryer is expensive. According to manufacturers, they should last ten years. However, most dryers do not last that long.  In order for them to last their lifetime and work safely and properly for you, you must properly maintain them. Here are some ways to ensure they last a long time.

  • Have your dryer vent professionally installed so it is up to code and safe for daily use.
  • Clean the lint trap after every load and periodically check the vent discharge flap.
  • Schedule routine dryer vent cleaning to prevent from a dangerous fire.

Schedule Your Dryer Vent Cleaning Service

Call the professionals at Chief Chimney Services to schedule a dryer vent cleaning to keep your family safe this summer while also keeping your electric bill low. Our technicians are certified exhaust technicians, and they come into your house with professionalism and care. When they come, they will thoroughly clean and check the entire dryer vent system.

We recommend getting your dryer vent cleaned at least once a year. However, there are definitely signs requiring your dryer vent to get cleaned more often. Here are some of the signs to get your dryer vent cleaned immediately.

  • If your dryer takes more than one cycle to dry a moderate-sized load of laundry, then you have a clogged dryer vent. Many homeowners assume that it’s just worn out, but a dryer less than three years old should do the job properly with one cycle.
  • If your dryer makes the house warm, puts moisture into the air, or accumulate moisture on surfaces of the home, then it is likely you have a clogged dryer vent. The excess heat and moisture should be carried out of the home by your vent. If it isn’t, then there is a clog or a leak in your dryer vent.
  • If your dryer is using more electricity than usual, then it has an issue.

Other Ways to Prevent Dryer Vent Hazard

In addition, make sure you take preventative measures to protect your home against dryer vent fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are nearly 3,000 home clothes dryer fires reported each year. These fires are absolutely preventable by having your dryer vent cleaned.

Was your dryer vent professionally installed? Has it been cleaned in the last year? Is it performing poorly? Call Chief Chimney Services to find out about our dryer vent services today.

By John Pilger on June 12th, 2018 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Comments Off on The Importance of Dryer Vent Cleaning

Avoid Fires With Dryer Vent Cleaning

When Talking about household appliances it’s important to note that low maintenance does not mean no maintenance, and neglecting routine maintenance can lower efficiency, shorten the life of avoid-fires-with-dryer-vent-cleaning-img-suffolk-ny-chief-chimney-service-inc-w800-h597an appliance, and likely cause fires and extensive damage.

Your Dryer Vent and Fire Risk

A clothes dryer is a heat appliance and should be treated as such. Just like a chimney should be cleaned to avoid flue fires, the dryer vent should be cleaned to avoid dryer vent fires. These fires are the leading cause of dryer-related fires. Every year hundreds of people are injured, dozens are killed, and thousands of dollars worth of property is damaged due to dryer vent fires.

You may not think it will happen to you, but if you’re like most Americans you assume cleaning the lint trap is enough maintenance for your dryer. This isn’t true!

If you have a dryer or are thinking of purchasing one, keep these things in mind:

  1.  Have it professionally installed.
    A common cause of dryer vent fire is a buildup of lint inside the ventilation hose due to improper installation. If the hose is especially long, has several corners, and is compressed to fit behind furniture or into walls, the risk of fire increases. It is best to have your dryer professionally installed to avoid this risk. Most home improvement stores offer professional installations. An even better option would be to choose a CSIA Certified Exhaust Technicians® who is trained to install, clean, inspect, replace, and repair dryer vents.
  2. Schedule semi-annual cleaning.
    If you have your dryer vent cleaned in the fall and winter, you will have the best results. Your certified exhaust technician will be able to remove the lint that builds up inside the vent, as well as any nesting animals and their nests. The way that the vents are designed often allows for small animals to climb inside. In spring animals search for a warm, dry place to nest, and in winter they do the same. Schedule your appointments during these times and your dryer vent will stay clean, and you can avoid the increased risk of fire when an animal and its nesting materials restrict airflow.
  3. Do not clean your own dryer vent.
    During a routine dryer vent cleaning your certified exhaust technician will not only clean the ventilation hose with a high-powered vacuum, but will also recognize any risk factors or issues with the dryer vent. It’s important for a professional to see the vent periodically in order to notify you of damage that may cause leaks or other problems. Leaky ducts can cause carbon monoxide poisoning over time, as well as slow the airflow, which can cause hot hair to ignite flammable debris such as lint.
  4. Lint passes through the lint trap.
    It is impossible for the lint trap to collect all of the lint. Lint is made up of single fibers that collect on the screen of the lint trap. These fibers slip through and around the screens with every load of clothes that is dried. These fibers collect inside the ventilation system and become the fluff we’re so used to seeing in the lint trap. It is highly flammable and should be removed often.

The dryer vent is an essential element that keeps the dryer functioning, but needs to be maintained and cleaned regularly. Schedule an appointment with Chief Chimney Services today to avoid a fire in your home.

By John Pilger on September 8th, 2016 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Comments Off on Avoid Fires With Dryer Vent Cleaning

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.

importance-of-having-your-dryer-vent-cleaned-suffolk-ny-chief-chimney

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.

By John Pilger on December 30th, 2014 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Reasons to Have Your Dryer Vents Cleaned