Be sure all heat-producing appliances run the way they are supposed to, including your clothes dryer
Sterling, VA-Janice Bittner, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard in Northern Virginia, is constantly working to increase consumer awareness of the importance of proper dryer venting systems. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that interferes with how the body processes oxygen; it can be dangerous and deadly. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, nausea and disorientation. The dangerous gases are produced inside homes where carbon-containing fuels are incompletely burned. The law requires all clothes dryers to be vented to the outside.
Janice advises her customers that when oil or gas furnaces, cooking appliances, water heaters and even clothes dryers are not properly vented, carbon monoxide can build up inside homes. Two common sources are the gas furnace heat exchanger and the gas water heater. Newer homes have been built to be more energy efficient, therefore, the gases have fewer places where they can escape and there are fewer places where fresh air enters the home. A proper ventilation system provides fresh air for complete combustion to keep fuel-burning equipment working properly and safely.
In addition, Janice also works to promote public awareness of dryer vent cleaning to prevent fires and ensure the clothes dryer is working efficiently to save on energy costs.
Dryer Vent Wizard specializes in cleaning, repairing and installing dryer vents. They do more than clean vents; they help to ‘pre-vent' problems in the laundry room, including environmental hazards like mold, dust, carbon monoxide and most important, fires. Read more about the importance of dryer vent cleaning and maintenance at http://dryerventcleaningsterlingva.blogspot.com/
Contact:
Janice Bittner
19 E. Loudoun St
Round Hill, VA 20141
Phone: 866-498-7233
Email: jbittner@dryerventwizard.com
Website: http://www.dryerventwizard.com
This press release was submitted by Right Now Marketing Group, LLC
When is the last time you thought about your dryer vent? Few people realize the lint from your clothes ends up not only in the lint trap but also flows into the dryer vent where it accumulates over time. Highly combustible lint combined with excessive temperatures from the dryer is a recipe for a fire.
Dryer fires usually start beneath the dryer when the motor overheats. Overheating is caused by a build-up of lint in the duct that increases the drying time and blocks the flow of air. Other contributing conditions may include lint inside the dryer, a missing or damaged lint screen, an excessively long vent, non-code vent material (plastic, vinyl and non-rated foil) that may kink or stop airflow, or a bird's nest or other debris blocking the vent.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there are 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and 10 injuries associated with dryers annually, with costs over $80 million. Dryer vent cleaning significantly reduces the risk of this type of fire.
Warning Signs
Additional Benefits to Dryer Vent Cleaning
Dryer Vent Cleaning
Service providers should thoroughly inspect your dryer vent line from the dryer to the termination point outside your home. A brush and vacuum system is the most effective method of cleaning vents, and providers should have a tool long enough to clean the entire vent. Plastic, vinyl or foil vent material could be damaged by cleaning tools, allowing moisture to flow into walls or living spaces. This can result in mold growth and respiratory illness. This material should be replaced with code-compliant vent material.
By following these simple guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of having a dryer fire or moisture damage in your home. And always remember - never run the clothes dryer while you are out of the house or sleeping, and it really is important to clean your lint trap every time you dry a load of clothes. Read more at http://dryerventcleaningsterlingva.blogspot.com/
Janice is committed to preventing clothes dryer fires in her community, but some people still haven't got the message
Arlington, VA - Janice Bittner is the owner of Dryer Vent Wizard, a dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation company that goes over and above by providing not only top-notch service, but also valuable fire safety tips for consumers. Sadly, many are still not getting the message, so Janice is trying another approach. In a recent interview, Janice said, "It's sad that so many dryer fires are occurring each year with all the information our company has made available for people about dryer vent maintenance. A clogged dryer vent causes reduced air flow, overheating and eventually, a fire. If saving lives and homes doesn't motivate people, maybe reducing energy costs will. A clean dryer vent system allows a clothes dryer to run more efficiently and save a significant amount of money on utility bills."
During the interview, someone brought up the point that while the dryer is running more efficien
tly with a clean dryer vent system, the hole in the wall where the duct goes outside is letting in cold air. Janice provided the solution to this problem as she explained, "There is a product on the market called a dryer vent draft blocker that works like a damper; it has a flap that opens when the dryer is running and closes when the dryer is not running. This product makes a big difference in keeping the cold air out, but you must keep it clean and make sure it is always working properly. Do not allow lint to build up in the vent and be sure it is not frozen shut or obstructed."
In addition to the dryer vent draft blocker, Janice also suggested using a product called Great Stuff. "Great Stuff is canned foam that can be sprayed around the dryer duct if there are gaps allowing cool air into your home. Be careful when using this product; it only takes a small amount to fill gaps because it expands when you spray it. If you should get too much in one area, it is best to wait until it dries, and then remove the excess with a utility knife. You can also sand it and paint if you're concerned with how it looks."
Janice Bittner is the owner of Dryer Vent Wizard, a company who specializes in Dryer Vent Cleaning, repairs and maintenance, while educating their customers on dryer fire prevention and energy conservation. Janice is committed to reducing the amount of devastating fires that are caused each year by poorly maintained dryer vent systems. Visit http://www.dryerventwizard.com for more safety tips and to order a complete inspection and cleaning of your dryer vent system.
Contact:
Janice Bittner
19 E. Loudoun St
Round Hill, VA 20141
Phone: 866-498-7233
Email: jbittner@dryerventwizard.com
Website: http://www.dryerventwizard.com
Your dryer vent is very important for releasing heat, moisture, lint and gas byproducts (if you have a gas dryer) from your home. Keeping the dryer ducts and vent system clean ensures your dryer is operating efficiently; a clogged vent causes the dryer to work much harder, increasing energy usage. So, a well maintained dryer vent system is important for energy consumption as well as fire safety, but what about the cold air it lets in during the cooler winter months? Or the hot air during the hot summer months?
There is a product on the market called a Dryer Vent Draft Blocker; it is inexpensive and it attaches easily to most dryer vent pipes. When the dryer is not running, the flapper closes; when the dryer is running, it opens. This product will make a big difference in the amount of cold (or hot) outside air that gets in through most traditional dryer vents. The draft blocker must be cleaned periodically to remove lint that builds up and to be sure it is not frozen shut.
Another thing to look for is gaps around the dryer duct where it leads outside. You can buy a can of compressed foam to fill in these gaps; it's called Great Stuff. It really is great stuff too! Be careful not to overspray it as it can be very messy; wear gloves when working with it. It only takes a small amount to fill in gaps because this product swells when you spray it. If you should get too much in one area, allow it to dry and trim the excess away with a utility knife. If you're really concerned with how it looks, you can sand it and paint it to match the siding on your home.
Maintaining your dryer vent system is very important to be sure your clothes dryer is operating efficiently and safely. Thanks to companies like Dryer Vent Wizard, many people are becoming aware of the dangers that can lurk within their dryer vent. Janice Bittner is the owner of Dryer Vent Wizard, a dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation company. Janice is committed to educating consumers about dryer vent maintenance to prevent fires and to save energy. Visit http://www.dryerventwizard.com for more tips on dryer vent safety.
October is Fire Prevention Month!! Ghosts and witches are kid's play compared to a fire in your home!!
How many of you have plastic tubing (or foil accordion-type venting) behind your dryer vent? Watch this video to see how quickly this vent material catches on fire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC3taqRQXUw
Make sure your dryer vent is made from code-compliant semi-rigid or smooth metal vent. It could save your life! Clean your dryer vent this month! www.dryerventwizard.com
We clean, repair and install dryer vents while we help to ‘pre-vent’ problems in the laundry room, including environmental hazards like mold and dust, and most important, fires.
Our company cleans, repairs and installs dryer vents. We do more than clean vents; we help to ‘pre-vent' problems in the laundry room, including environmental hazards like mold and dust, and most important, fires. We've owned Dryer Vent Wizard of Northern Virginia since 2006.
My husband, Doug was a commercial airline pilot and I was the director of marketing for a regional real estate services provider before going into the dryer vent business.
We have also committed to educate consumers in our community about dryer vent safety. So many people are unaware of the hidden fire hazards in thier clothes dryer vents. While they change furnace filters and have their furnace professionally cleaned, they neglect the clothes dryer. We've seen many dryers that still have the flexible, foil tubing rather than a more rigid material. This is a fire hazard!
There are over 15,000 clothes dryer fires a year in the US; most of them are caused by failure to properly maintain the dryer vent system.
Dryer Vent: Cleaning, Repair, Alteration & Installation Service
Dryer Vent Wizard professionally inspects and cleans clothing dryers for homeowners and in commercially-owned buildings. Poorly maintained dryer vents cause fire hazards and cost substantially more to operate.
(Click here to watch a Fire Prevention video)
Why Dryer Vent Cleaning is So Important!
Get a FREE Dryer Vent Check Safety Tool Kit
To increase awareness of dryer vent safety, DVW is offering Tips & Tools. Homeowners & community groups are encouraged to download the Tips brochure and the video, "Don´t Let Your Dryer Start a Fire, Keep Your Home Safe and Sound". FREE dryer vent safety check kits that help identify dryer vent problems can also be ordered!
Call 1-866-498-SAFE (7233) for your dryer check-up & cleaning
Great Dryer Vent Cleaning!
The following was sent to about 175 people by a satisfied customer:
"Okay, you are going to think I am crazy e-mailing you about your dryer - BUT - when we moved here over a year ago, I finally got a great set. Only when we used it, I noticed that after a few months I had to run it twice to get my loads dry. (I thought nothing of it b/c it seemed no matter where I lived, my dryers ran twice on heavy loads.) I just figured this is how it is with all dryers."
Well, the past few weeks, we have had to run our dryer even up to 4 times on a heavy load. There was even a "moldy" type smell in our towels. I called a dryer repair guy b/c I figured the heating element was going out. He told me that on dryers, if it is drying, even a little, it is more likely to be my dryer vent. He told me to hire someone to come and clean the vent that goes through the house.
I thought I could do it myself, so I went downstairs and pulled the vent out of the wall to find an extreme amount of build-up!!! It was damp and had that "moldy" smell that my towels have had. I tried to clean it out and the more I reached in the more clogged it was. I knew if it was clogged here, that the inside pipe had to be backed up.
I called a place called "Dryer Vent Wizard". It runs normally about $150 to come out, inspect and clean. That is for a normal 20 foot pipe. Ours ran 36 feet and was up and down and all around - causing our vent build-up. Even though it was over $150 for our case to clean it, let me tell you IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!
After he cleaned it out filling a 5 gallon tub full of lint, I ran my dryer for a load and it dried PERFECTLY in a shorter amount if time. I have honestly NEVER had my clothes dry so fast. It seems like common sense that the vent needs to be cleaned, but thinking about it, this house was never cleaned in over 20 years and no other house I ever lived in was ever cleaned - so it was never my dryers, but probably my vents all along!!!
Anyway, they charge $39 to come out and take a look. (For a membership type thing of like $29 they will come out once a year and not charge the $39 fee.)
I HIGHLY recommend it!! Just thought I´d pass this along! We spend time and money on ‘big purchases' like our oil changes, etc. - why not keep other important things maintained? Not to mention it is a huge fire hazard!
Dryer Vent Wizard´s # is: 1-866-498-safe (7233) for someone in your area. (Alabama)
Dryer Vent Cleaning Made my Dryer Feel Like New Again!
Clothes Dry Faster After Dryer Vent Cleaning
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