Annual Dryer Maintenance is a MUST. Build up of lint in your dryer vent or trap is flammable and can set fire by the heating element in the dryer or by a spark from the motor or switch.
Put this on your ANNUAL August calendar: Clean lint build-up from vent system. Here is a quick "How To:"
Look at the back of your dryer. There is a 4-5 inch round pipe that goes from your driyer through the wall of your house to the outside. Outside there is a "flap vent" that swings open automatically from air pressure when the dryer is running, then closes when the dryer shuts off. The entire piping and flap vent should be inspected and cleaned of lint or any obstructions. Seal any hose joints with duct tape.
Clean behind and underneath dryer. Moisture, dirt, and lint tend to accumulate behind and underneath your dryer. Pull the dryer out from the wall and wipe these areas with a damp rag.
Scrub the lint trap. Chemical fabric softeners often clog the small holes in lint traps. Remove the lint trap and scrub it with a soft bristle brush and mild soap or detergent. This is in addition to your removing lint from the trap after each and every load.
Clean and inspect burner (gas models). For dryers that heat with natural gas or propane, the burner should be cleaned and inspected according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Not only will these maintenance tips help prevent fire, they will also prolong the life of your dryer.
The above steps should be done in addition to daily cleaning of the Lint trap. And should be done more offten depending on how much use your dryer gets.
5 Comments on Coeur d'Alene Real Estate and Community Information: Protect Your Home from FIRE - Clean Your Dryer Vent and Trap
AUG
18
2008
Hey, Pam.
As a home inspector, I love your post. However, the lint trap in the dryer needs to be cleaned before each use. You don't have to scrub it, just remove by hand any lint that is there.
The dryer flue and exterior vent hood should be cleaned at least monthly. I schedule my with my monthly homeowner's maintenance that occurs the first weekend of each month.
Lint can build up very rapidly if one buys new towels and clothes, or uses a lot of cotton products.
If one's dryer seems to be taking a long time to dry the clothes, check the lint trap, the flue, and the exterior vent hood because one of them is probably clogged.
Also make sure that the damper at the exterior vent hood doesn't get clogged open because little critters love to make their homes in nice, soft, moist lint, thereby blocking the flue with their furry little bodies.
Pam- Good Post...not only did I enjoy your Post, but then come down to the comments and find Russel's comment :) Thanks this info could help prevent a fire.
Great information. Hard to believe but there are alot of home owners out there that have never cleaned out their driver vents, hoses, flaps, etc... and can't figure out why their clothes take so long to dry! They are also vulnerable to a house fire!
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Annual Dryer Maintenance is a MUST. Build up of lint in your dryer vent or trap is flammable and can set fire by the heating element in the dryer or by a spark from the motor or switch. 
Pam Jank, Realtor, GRI, CRS, ABR, RRS, PPS
;)
;)
Hey, Pam.
As a home inspector, I love your post. However, the lint trap in the dryer needs to be cleaned before each use. You don't have to scrub it, just remove by hand any lint that is there.
The dryer flue and exterior vent hood should be cleaned at least monthly. I schedule my with my monthly homeowner's maintenance that occurs the first weekend of each month.
Lint can build up very rapidly if one buys new towels and clothes, or uses a lot of cotton products.
If one's dryer seems to be taking a long time to dry the clothes, check the lint trap, the flue, and the exterior vent hood because one of them is probably clogged.
Also make sure that the damper at the exterior vent hood doesn't get clogged open because little critters love to make their homes in nice, soft, moist lint, thereby blocking the flue with their furry little bodies.