Q:                How did Dryer Vent Wizard originate?

A: Dryer Vent Wizard was founded by David Lavalle, (also founder of the Mr. Handyman franchise) in 2004 in Boston, Massachusetts.  The concept was created to meet the "urgent response" need of consumers who were dealing with clothes dryer problems.  These problems were a result of dryer vent lint accumulation causing dryers to function inefficiently or not at all.   The business originated as a result of finding no one specializing in this type of work.

Q:      Why would someone pay to have their dryer vent cleaned out?  It seems so simple.  Couldn't they do it themselves?

A:  Time is a precious commodity for most people today. While cleaning a dryer vent may seem simple, DVW owners and technicians have specialized training, tools, materials and time to spend on correcting dryer vent problems.  Busy households have an urgent need to get their dryers up and running and look to specialists like DVW help them get quick solutions to their dryer vent problems.

Q:      I have never heard of anyone having a dryer vent problem or dryer fire.   How big of a problem is it really?

A.  According to a recent dryer fire study conducted by the United States Fire Administration (USFA), on average, dryer fires account for approximately 15,000 structure fires, 15 deaths, 400 injuries and $88 million in property damage annually.  "Failure to clean" was citied as the leading cause of these fires.   It's evident that consumers are unaware that clothes dryer and dryer vent maintenance is necessary to keep dryers functioning properly and prevent dryer fires.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), and Consumer Reports confirm that dryer fires are a home safety issue and proper maintenance is key to keeping dryer functioning properly and preventing dryer fires.

Q:  Are there warning signals that a dryer vent could be a problem?

A.  Yes. When a consumer finds their dryer taking multiple cycles to dry clothes or keeps stopping during a cycle, the cause could be lint accumulation in the vent line causing the dryer to work inefficiently or not at all. Also, a moldy smell in the clothes could indicate moisture in the line, causing the dryer to work harder and less efficiently.

Q:      What is the range of services that DVW offers?

A: Dryer Vent Wizard provides maintenance, inspection, cleaning, repairs, alterations and complete installation of dryer vent systems for residential and commercial customers.

 Q:    How much does it cost to have your dryer vent cleaned and replaced?  

A:  Since each household is unique, an estimate is provided after DVW technicians perform a 10 point diagnostic inspection.  This inspection identifies the extent of the dryer vent problem and provides the basis of the estimate and solutions. 

Q:    Why don't people just buy a new dryer?

A.     Because the dryer is not the problem. It's the lint accumulation or blockage in the vent causing the dryer to function inefficiently or not at all.

Q: Are there any other benefits to annual dryer vent maintenance besides making your dryer run more efficiently and prevent dryer fires?

A.  While these are the primary benefits to dryer and dryer vent maintenance, consumers can look forward to lower energy bills as a result of the dryer not having to work so hard and long to dry clothes.  In addition, clothes don't wear out as quickly when they don't have to go through multiple cycles.  

Q:     Is DVW doing anything to make consumers aware of the need to maintain their dryer and dryer vent annually in an effort to prevent dryer fires?

A: Absolutely.  DVW technicians are trained to educate consumers about dryer maintenance and dryer fire prevention as much as they are trained to provide solutions to dryer vent problems.  DVW is also involved in consumer awareness programs to increase consumer understanding of the importance of dryer maintenance and dryer fire prevention. Working with local fire departments, local and national fire prevention associations DVW is hopeful that heightened awareness will reduce the number of dryer fires annually.  DVW has also joined efforts with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), and the U.S. Fire Administration, (USFA), in spreading the word about the need for annual maintenance.

In addition, DVW has also initiated a program called "Protecting Those Who Protect Us."  This program provides DVW services to local fire stations in areas DVW have franchisees.  It makes sense that the folks who fight these fires should be looked after by DVW as well.  Dryer Vent Wizard will also be involved in Fire Prevention month scheduled for October 2007.

For more information visit www.dryerventwizard.com or John Stevenson (315) 382-1164.

Dryer Vent Wizard services the following areas in New York: Onondaga County, Oswego County, Cayuga County, Yates County, Monroe County, Wayne County, Syracuse, Fulton, Manlius, Auburn, Geneva, Canandaigua, Rochester