Did you know that one of the major risk in your home for a fire is your dryer? A dryer is something many families use on a daily basis, but few people provide the proper care and maintenance needed to keep this device running properly, efficiently, and safely. Getting your dryer vent cleaned is one of the best things you can do to reduce the risks of a fire starting from your dryer, and here are several other things you should know about this.
How dryer fires start
When you run your dryer, the machine heats up as a way of drying the clothes you put in it. As this happens, the machine must eliminate the moisture it pulls from the clothing, and while this is occurring the dryer will also be pulling small amounts of clothing fibers from the fabric. These small fibers are the lint you see in your lint tray. As this process is occurring, the lint can get trapped in the vent that is designed to remove the moisture and heat from the drying process, and this is what can lead to a fire.
When the lint builds up in the vent, you may not realize it is there. Eventually, this can restrict the airflow in the vent, preventing it from escaping outside. The combination of the lint, the airflow restriction, and the heat can cause a fire to start.
Signs your dryer vent is clogged or is not operating as it should
You may not even realize your vent is clogged until it is too late, but there are signs you should be aware of. Here are the common signs that a dryer vent is not working properly:
If you notice any of these signs, you should hire an appliance company to check out your vent. There are several problems they may find, and one is that your vent is clogged. To fix this, they will clean the vent out so it can operate normally. Another problem they may find is that the vent is not sealed properly. A vent that has leaks will force moisture and odors into your home instead of forcing them outside.
If you want to avoid a fire in your home and have a dryer that operates more efficiently, you should have your dryer vent cleaned and inspected each year. To schedule an appointment for this, contact a company that specializes in appliance services.
For more information, you will want to contact a company such as Oliver Dyer's Appliance.
Share