As I was crawling around the internet I came across a blog post that simply states that dryer lint is the best combustible product in your home. It even takes you step by step on how to water proof the lint with petroleum jelly so it will keep its flammable state.

This got me thinking!

Almost every home in America uses a dryer. It runs almost everyday. Hundreds and Hundreds of loads every year. How often are we even paying attention to this appliance? It produces pounds of dryer lint during its lifetime and it literally contains an electric heating element right next to the most flammable accidental firestarter.

In looking at this I began to wonder how many people actually know that this appliance needs to be serviced once a year by a professional? That this one appliance causes more and more accidental fires in the home than others combined.

As we use our dryer clothing lint builds up in the trap and we think that if we clean this trap in between each load we are doing enough and the truth is- the trap was never intended to catch all of the lint and hair. Small particles are collected in the hose and clog up the cooling air flow that keeps the heating element from combusting the particles.

If you aren’t concerned, you should be. Not only is this issue created actual danger to your family but it is also costed you hundreds of dollars in wasted energy.

These two reasons make the small cost of a  yearly dryer vent cleaning pale in comparison to ignoring the risk.

What Needs To Be Done?

Lint needs to be cleaned out of the dryer vents and connector flex pipe to ensure optimal performance and eliminate risk of fire.

Why Do It?

• Clean dryer vents and connector flex pipe can result in a better-working dryer.
• The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that, from 2006 to 2008, clothes dryers caused about 7,000 residential fires each year
• The CPSC says one of the leading factors in these fires was people’s failure to clean dryer ducts and airways.

How Often?

Manufacturers usually recommend that you have your vent cleaned by a professional at least once a year, or, according to the CPSC, more often, if you use your dryer frequently. Be sure to check your product manual, which has recommendations based on the size and the type of dryer hose/ flex connector and vents.It may be a good idea to check your vent and hose/flex connector every 60 to 90 days if:

• Multiple people are using the same dryer
• The dryer is more than a decade old
• The dryer hose is more than 10 feet long
• The dryer hose has more than one 90-degree turn

Please consider adding the extra service to your yearly chimney sweep. Midtown Chimney Sweep Professionals are ready and happy to eliminate the risk in your home.

Call Now! 844-SWEEP-NOW