As chimney professionals, the team here at Owens Chimney Systems knows a lot about fires and fire safety. And one thing we’ve noticed is
that people are surprised to hear what the number one cause of dryer fires is. Here’s a hint – it isn’t electrical issues, poor installation, or even improper use of the appliance.
The number one cause of dryer fires is actually clogged up dryer vents!
It’s an unfortunate fact that dryer vents tend to get neglected. They’re typically out of sight, which puts them out of mind, too. Yet, they need maintenance just like the other appliances throughout your home. The good news for folks in Charlotte and its surrounding cities is that the team at Owens Chimney is here to help.
Don’t Wait Until it’s Too Late
A lot of times the biggest problems we come across in this industry are things that could have been avoided with some affordable preventive maintenance. We talk about this a lot with your masonry – things like waterproofing, chimney cap installation, flashing repair, and the like all go a long ways!
With your dryer vents things are no different. Investing in a bit of care now could mean avoiding a broken down dryer, heightened energy bills, carbon monoxide exposure, and – you guessed it – fire-related damages throughout your home.
Here are some things to watch out for that may indicate you’re due for a cleaning:
- Your clothes keep taking longer and longer to dry.
- You’re noticing musty odors in your laundry room.
- Your dryer feels exceptionally hot after running.
- Your dryer hood flap isn’t closing correctly.
- Your lint trap is building up quickly with lint.
And if it has been over a year since your last inspection… call us in! The best way to prevent issues (like the ones above) from occurring at all is to get that dryer vent cleaning booked every single year. Our experts have the tools and training to get the job done right, and we’d love to help you out soon.
Why is There Lint in My Dryer?
Is lint building up in the actual dryer itself? This is another big cause for worry. Most assume that fires typically start in the vents themselves, but most actually originate inside of the dryer.
As your vents clog more and more, they’ll eventually prevent the lint from escaping the dryer altogether. When this exceptionally flammable material combines with the heat of your appliance, the results aren’t good, and it’s why this is where a majority of dryer fires actually begin.
Did You Just Buy a Home?
If you’ve just purchased your home, it’s easy to assume every appliance in the space is ready for use upon moving in. This often isn’t the case, so scheduling a dryer vent cleaning will be in your best interests.
The good part about this service is that it gives us the opportunity to see what shape your vents are in as well. Vents should be under a certain length and have as few twists and turns as possible to optimize efficiency. In the end, there are a lot of important features that home builders simply don’t pay attention to and neglecting necessary updates could put you at risk.
Whether the length is off, there are too many elbows or offsets, or the material is simply too weak to withstand condensation and wear and tear, we can help you find the appropriate solutions.
It’s a simple process that doesn’t take long and is much more affordable than home renovations after a fire. And you can’t put a price on safety! Count on us to ensure you’re good to go before putting your appliance to use.
Additional Risks Associated With Clogged Vents
So by now you get it… clogged dryer vents and house fires go hand in hand! But what other risks come from neglecting your dryer vents?
Well, another thing to be wary of is carbon monoxide exposure. If gases and fumes aren’t able to escape outdoors, the only place they’ll have left to turn is back into your home. Because carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and highly poisonous, avoiding it at all costs is a must.
Be sure to keep your vents cleaned and your appliances professionally maintained to lower any risks. And invest in a carbon monoxide detector if you have yet to do so.
Finally, there’s the risk of inefficiency, higher energy bills from running multiple drying cycles, and a lower lifespan for your appliance. The more the dryer has to work, the more wear it faces, which means you’ll be buying a new dryer sooner than expected.
Save yourself lots of time, hassle, and stress by simply calling in our experts from the start. We’d love to hear from you soon. Reach out at 704-554-9595 and we can get started!