The clothes dryer is an appliance of both convenience and necessity for consumers today. Clothes dryers are found in about 80 percent or over 81 million homes in the US. Clothes dryers remove about ½ gallon of water from each load of laundry, which creates the lint that is found in the lint filter after each load. Clothes dryers are one of the most expensive appliances in your home to operate, so it is important that they be properly maintained to reduce energy costs.
Dryer vent cleaning and maintenance are also important to reduce the risk of fire caused by overheating when lint builds up in your dryer vent. Most of the lint is caught in the filter that you should be cleaning out after each load of laundry, however, some escapes into the vent system. Since water is also being removed from the laundry, the lint is moist and it sticks to the sides of the vents, eventually drying to a hard crust as it builds up and reduces air-flow. This is the beginning of a cycle that causes the dryer to work inefficiently and eventually causes a fire.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that over 15,000 fires are associated with clothes dryers per year. Most of these fires are due to improper dryer vent cleaning and maintenance. As consumers are becoming aware of the dangers associated with their clothes dryers, the number of dryer fires has dropped by about 35% over the last few decades. This is positive news, but still, many consumers remain unaware of the importance of dryer vent cleaning.
Young people, who have not been on their own very long, still have a lot to learn about home and appliance maintenance. Many learn by trial and error, however, some error can be life threatening! Even though these young people are adults, it is still important for parents to educate their children on the issues that they may not be aware of. A clothes dryer is so simple to operate a five year old can do it; however, it is unlikely that the child will know how to clean the lint filter, let alone the entire vent system.
Lack of maintenance is the major contributor to dryer fires. Lint build-up causes reduced airflow, resulting in the dryer working inefficiently, increasing the cost of energy used to operate the appliance. Problems also occur if consumers place the wrong items in their dryer, such as foam backed rugs, which can fall apart and block the lint trap. Clothing or rags, soaked with flammable substances, even after washing, may produce vapors that could ignite. These items should be washed separately and line dried to reduce the risk of fire. Many older dryers still have exhaust systems made of plastic or vinyl which is not up to code today.
Rigid or flexible metal venting and ducting material helps to sustain proper airflow and reduce the operating costs of a clothes dryer, extending the life of both your dryer and your clothing, due to lower drying temperatures. Consumers should be cleaning the lint filter after every load of laundry. The interior and exterior of the venting system should be professionally inspected and cleaned by a qualified dryer vent repair and maintenance company at least once a year. Plastic or vinyl exhaust hoses should be replaced with rigid or flexible metal material.
This article was written by Janice Bittner, owner of http://www.dryerventwizard in Northern Virginia. Janice specializes in dryer vent cleaning, maintenance, repair and alterations to prevent clothes dryer fires. She is also committed to educating all of her customers, explaining to them how their dryer duct and vent system works and how to properly maintain it to reduce the risk of fire. Janice services Northern Virginia, Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington and Alexandria Counties, Annandale, Huntington, Sterling, and neighboring cities and communities.
Young people, just getting out on their own, still have a lot to learn about appliance maintenance
Hamilton, VA - First time home buyers have a lot to learn about mortgages, insurance, homeownership and maintenance. Janice Bittner, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard recently spoke at a workshop designed for first time home buyers in Northern Virginia. At this workshop, young people learned about the many aspects of homeownership, including appliance maintenance and fire safety. Many of them were concerned about the maintenance of their gas furnace, believing this to be a potential danger. Janice explained, "Believe it or you're your clothes dryer poses a much higher fire hazard than your gas furnace. It is important that you know how to properly maintain all your appliances to increase their efficiency and life span as well as fire safety."
It was Janice's job to cover dryer vent cleaning and maintenance at the workshop. She had a model of a poor dryer vent system, made of plastic and clogged with lint, and another model of a proper dryer vent system made of a more rigid material. Janice explained how the dryer vent system works and how they become clogged with lint when improperly installed, explaining, "The best dryer vent system has few bends and turns, allowing lint and air to flow freely through ducts to the outside. It is also smooth inside to help prevent lint from being caught."
Janice handed out pamphlets advising: The US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that over 15,000 fires are associated with clothes dryers per year. Most of these fires are due to improper dryer vent cleaning and maintenance. As consumers are becoming aware of the dangers associated with their clothes dryers, the number of dryer fires has dropped by about 35% over the last few decades. This is positive news, but still, many consumers remain unaware of the importance of dryer vent cleaning.
Janice is especially concerned about young people just getting started in their own homes or apartments. "Young people, who have not been on their own very long, still have a lot to learn about home and appliance maintenance. Many learn by trial and error, however, some error can be life threatening!" said Janice. "I was thrilled to be invited to speak today; if the advice I offered prevents even one clothes dryer fire, I think my time today was well spent."
Janice explained that the lack of maintenance is the major contributor to dryer fires. Lint build-up causes reduced airflow, resulting in the dryer working inefficiently, increasing the cost of energy used to operate the appliance. Problems also occur if consumers place the wrong items in their dryer, such as foam backed rugs, which can fall apart and block the lint trap. Clothing or rags, soaked with flammable substances, even after washing, may produce vapors that could ignite. These items should be washed separately and line dried to reduce the risk of fire. Many older dryers still have exhaust systems made of plastic or vinyl which is not up to code today.
Those who attend the workshop learned that rigid or flexible metal venting and ducting material helps to sustain proper airflow and reduce the operating costs of a clothes dryer, extending the life of both your dryer and your clothing, due to lower drying temperatures. "I had no idea that a clothes dryer could be so dangerous," said one of the people who attended the seminar. Parents who attended the workshop with their adult children appreciated the advice offered by Janice. "Kids don't always listen to their parents," said the mother of two who attended. "They are more likely to listen to an expert in the field who is unrelated to them. I have to admit that I also learned a lot by attending the workshop."
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, and most important, fires. Janice Bittner has owned http://www.dryerventwizard of Northern Virginia since 2006. Janice services Northern Virginia, Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington and Alexandria Counties, Annandale, Huntington, Sterling, and neighboring cities and communities.
Contact:
Janice Bittner
19 E. Loudoun St
Round Hill, VA 20141
Phone: 866-498-7233
Email: jbittner@dryerventwizard.com
Website: http://www.dryerventwizard.com
Dryer vent wizard, dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent exhaust cleaning, dryer vent repair, dryer vent alterations, air duct cleaning,
Dryer Vent Wizard ensures dryer vents meet building codes and accommodate the dryer manufacturer's warranty for consumers in Fairfax County, Annandale, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Dunn Loring, Fort Hunt, Franconia, Great Falls, Groveton, Herndon, Huntington, Hybla Valley, Idylwood, Jefferson, Lake Barcroft, Lincolnia, Lorton, Mantua, McLean, Merrifield, Mount Vernon, Newington, North Springfield, Oakton, Occoquan, Pimmit Hills, Reston, Rose Hill, Seven Corners, Springfield, Tysons Corner, Vienna, West Springfield, Wolf Trap, Arcola, Mount Laurel, Herndon, West Mclean, Waterford, Reston, Reston, Fairfax Station, Vienna, Loudoun County, Hamilton, Hillsboro, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, Round Hill, Dulles, Ashburn, Sterling, South riding, Paeonian Springs, Aldie, Arlington County, Arlington, Alexandria County, Alexandria and neignboring cities and communities
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.
This article was written by Janice Bittner, owner of http://www.dryerventwizard in Northern Virginia. Janice specializes in dryer vent cleaning, maintenance, repair and alterations to prevent clothes dryer fires. She is also committed to educating all of her customers, explaining to them how their dryer duct and vent system works and how to properly maintain it to reduce the risk of fire. Janice services Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington and Alexandria Counties.
Dryer Vent Wizard ensures dryer vents meet building codes and accommodate the dryer manufacturer's warranty for consumers in Fairfax County, Annandale, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Dunn Loring, Fort Hunt, Franconia, Great Falls, Groveton, Herndon, Huntington, Hybla Valley, Idylwood, Jefferson, Lake Barcroft, Lincolnia, Lorton, Mantua, McLean, Merrifield, Mount Vernon, Newington, North Springfield, Oakton, Occoquan, Pimmit Hills, Reston, Rose Hill, Seven Corners, Springfield, Tysons Corner, Vienna, West Springfield, Wolf Trap, Arcola, Mount Laurel, Herndon, West Mclean, Waterford, Reston, Reston, Fairfax Station, Vienna, Loudoun County, Hamilton, Hillsboro, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, Round Hill, Dulles, Ashburn, Sterling, South riding, Paeonian Springs, Aldie, Arlington County, Arlington, Alexandria County, Alexandria
Warning-Is there a fire in your dryer?
Sterling, VA -- One particular September evening last year brought Karen King of Sterling, Virginia, and her family close to what could have become a devastating house fire. Karen was finishing up some household tasks, including drying her last load of clothes for the day. Fortunately for her and her family, she didn't let that last load go unattended.
Karen said that when she opened the dryer door, smoke came pouring out. She quickly closed the dryer door and called the fire department, who moved the two-year-old dryer out to the family's garage. Once the fire inside the dryer had been put out, the fire department quickly determined what had caused this dryer fire.
The King's dryer was located off of their kitchen, in an alcove. The dryer vent was 25 feet long and vented through the house and under the deck. It was difficult to reach, and thus difficult to clean. Karen admitted to doing between 10 and 12 loads of laundry per week.
Inside the dryer the fire chief found excessive amounts of lint. The Kings were strongly encouraged to move the vent in order to prevent any future fires. Dryer Vent Wizard, a professional dryer vent maintenance company, consequently shortened the vent to 10 feet and relocated the hosing to vent out the front of the house.
The King family bought a new dryer and feel much safer with the new dryer vent routing. Had Karen King left her dryer on and gone out, she might have had a full-blown house fire. As it was, she caught it early and no one was hurt. In anticipation of National Fire Prevention Month, Karen King was kind enough to share her story with us.
According to the National Fire Protection Agency, dryers are involved in over 15,000 fires per year, with the leading cause being failure to clean dryer vents.
These fires caused an average of 26 deaths, 468 injuries and $198 million in direct property damage per year.
Janice Bittner, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard of Northern Virginia urges consumers to have their dryer vent systems professionally inspected to be sure they are safe. http://www.dryerventwizard.com specializes in dryer vent cleaning, repair, installation and alteration to prevent dryer fires. Technicians also educate consumers to promote dryer fire safety. "My job isn't complete until my customer understands how their dryer vent system works and they know how to properly maintain it between my annual visits," says Janice.
Contact:
Janice Bittner
19 E. Loudoun St
Round Hill, VA 20141
Phone: 866-498-7233
Email: jbittner@dryerventwizard.com
Website: http://www.dryerventwizard.com
Dryer Vent Wizard ensures dryer vents meet building codes and accommodate the dryer manufacturer's warranty for consumers in Fairfax County, Annandale, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Dunn Loring, Fort Hunt, Franconia, Great Falls, Groveton, Herndon, Huntington, Hybla Valley, Idylwood, Jefferson, Lake Barcroft, Lincolnia, Lorton, Mantua, McLean, Merrifield, Mount Vernon, Newington, North Springfield, Oakton, Occoquan, Pimmit Hills, Reston, Rose Hill, Seven Corners, Springfield, Tysons Corner, Vienna, West Springfield, Wolf Trap, Arcola, Mount Laurel, Herndon, West Mclean, Waterford, Reston, Reston, Fairfax Station, Vienna, Loudoun County, Hamilton, Hillsboro, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, Round Hill, Dulles, Ashburn, Sterling, South riding, Paeonian Springs, Aldie, Arlington County, Arlington, Alexandria County, Alexandria
Don't let your dryer start a fire; keep your home safe and sound. 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.
Why Dryer Vent Cleaning is so Important!
•· Dryer vents clogged with lint cost $18-24 more per month.
•· There are 15,500 fires every year caused by dryer vents.
•· Dryer manufacturers recommend you clean your dryer vent every year.
•· Regular dryer vent maintenance prolongs the life of your dryer.
Our services include:
•· Dryer vent cleaning
•· Dryer vent repair
•· Dryer vent alterations
•· Dryer vent tube installations
•· http://www.dryerventwizard.com
Contact:
Janice Bittner
Phone: 866-498-7233
Email: jbittner@dryerventwizard.com
Service area: Fairfax County, Annandale, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Dunn Loring, Fort Hunt, Franconia, Great Falls, Groveton, Herndon, Huntington, Hybla Valley, Idylwood, Jefferson, Lake Barcroft, Lincolnia, Lorton, Mantua, McLean, Merrifield, Mount Vernon, Newington, North Springfield, Oakton, Occoquan, Pimmit Hills, Reston, Rose Hill, Seven Corners, Springfield, Tysons Corner, Vienna, West Springfield, Wolf Trap, Arcola, Mount Laurel, Herndon, West Mclean, Waterford, Reston, Reston, Fairfax Station, Vienna, Loudoun County, Hamilton, Hillsboro, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, Round Hill, Dulles, Ashburn, Sterling, South riding, Paeonian Springs, Aldie, Arlington County, Arlington, Alexandria County, Alexandria
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
Great Job with Dryer Vent Tube Installation
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