Dryer Vent Cleaning: Tumbling to Disaster as Danger Lurks in Dryer Vents
On a cold winter day, there is nothing nicer than wrapping your arms around the warm load of laundry as you pull it out of your clothes dryer. Let this be a reminder that the source of this nice warm bundle can overheat and cause a fire.
Over 15,000 clothes dryer fires are reported each year; most are the result of poor dryer vent maintenance. Failure to have professional dryer vent cleaning performed each year is the number one cause of clothes dryer fires.
Dryer vent systems which are clogged with lint will overheat and ignite; this type of fire spreads quickly. Other things that lead to dryer fires are cleaning rags soaked with flammable chemicals. These should be 
line dried, even if they have been washed, as residue can remain. The heat from the dryer can cause the materials to ignite inside your dryer.
Your dryer vent removes heat, moisture and lint from your home; however, some of the moist lint sticks to the sides of the dryer ducts, forming a paste-like substance that dries and hardens. As more lint accumulates, air flow is restricted, the dryer vent system overheats and ignites..
Here are some tips for maintaining your clothes dryer vent system:
Clean the lint screen after every load - your dryer will operate more efficiently, saving you money on energy bills and reducing the risk of a fire
Wash the lint screen periodically to remove residue from softener sheets
Inspect and clean your dryer vent often - check to see that it is expelling air when the dryer is running
Do not place rags soaked in flammable chemicals in your dryer
Do not store flammable chemicals near the dryer
Have a qualified dryer exhaust professional inspect and clean your dryer vent system at least once a year
Do not leave your home or go to sleep when the dryer is running
Appliance maintenance is essential in saving money on utility bills, reducing wear and tear on your appliance and preventing clothes dryer fires.
Rhonda Nole is the owner of Dryer Vent Wizard, a dryer vent cleaning and repair professional who inspects dryer vent systems to be sure they are properly installed and up to current safety codes. Read Rhonda's new blog for more dryer vent cleaning and safety tips.
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