Prevent Home Fires by Knowing if Your Dryer Vent is Operating Properly
A congested/clogged dryer vent can lead to devastating results. A clogged dryer vent can threaten your home or business. It's crucial that dryer vents are maintained and cleaned on a regular basis, for safety reasons and economic reasons. A house fire is bad enough, but when a fire happens in a large apartment complex or worse can be deadly.
A few years ago the residents of UC's Calhoun Hall were evacuated when a fire started in the laundry area of the basement. The fire was caused by an overheated (clogged dryer vent) dryer. The dryer vent was so backed up with lint the dryer got to hot and the clothes inside the dryer caught on fire.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned several years in a row that a clogged dryer vent are the most common source of all household fires.There are several warning signs to a clogged dryer vent.
- The clothes take longer to completely dry.
- Clothes are hotter than normal upon removing them.
- The exterior flaps on the dryer vent do not operate properly ( open and close).
- The exterior vent has lint hanging off the cover.
Airflow is the most important element in a clothes dryer's ability to function and operate safely and efficiently. When a dryer is given the appropriate air flow, the clothes dry faster and results in less gas and electric usage for the dryer, in which saves you money on the gas and electric bill and adds longevity to the dryer's life.