Stuart Dryer Vent Cleaning Wizard Concerned with Increase in Dryer Fires

Dryer Vent Cleaning Stuart FL:  Over 17,000 dryer fires occur each year causing deaths, injuries and nearly $100 Million in property damages.  Failure to clean dryer vent systems is the number one cause.  Improper dryer vent installation and dryer malfunction can also be dangerous.

There are many different companies who provide dryer vent cleaning and installation services.  The internet is flooded with articles and blogs all warning consumers about the danger of clogged dryer vents; not to mention the increase in utility expenses when clothes dryers are not venting properly.

So Many Dryer Vent Cleaners; Yet, So Many Dryer Vent fires

Gulf Breeze, FL – A clogged dryer vent was the cause a fire which resulted in an estimated $1,000 in damages. 

Corpus Christi, TX:  A man’s laundry went up in flames when the dryer at the local public laundry caught fire.  One customer thought it smelled like a marshmallow roasting before she saw the smoke.  The cleaners were closed for about an hour while they cleared the smoke from the building.

Tampa, FL – Lint buildup in the dryer vent caused a fire when the homeowner left to run errands while the dryer was running.  A quick thinking neighbor used a garden hose to control the flames until firefighters arrived.  No one was injured and firefighters rescued Smoky, the pet Chihuahua, who was found hiding in a closet.

Newport News, VA – A dryer fire caused some damage and resulted in a resident and a firefighter being transported to the hospital with minor injuires.

Cookeville, TN – A dryer fire prompted the evacuation of all residents at a retirement home.  Fire was contained to the laundry room and no one was injured.  Damage was estimated at $7,500. 

Orange County, FL – Firefighters warn residents to clean dryer vents after a buildup of lint caused a fire in a Pine Hills home.  A smoke detector alerted the residents who escaped safely.  The American Red Cross helped them find a place to stay for the night.

Dryer fires are caused by a combination of heat and blockage of air flow.  Lint accumulation in the dryer vent system is the main ingredient of a dryer fire.  Combine this with the old fashioned vinyl dryer duct and you have even more fuel to feed a rapidly spreading fire.

Many dryer vent cleaning companies that service your area can be found with a simple Google search on the internet.  With so many dryer vent cleaners, there is no reason for so many dryer vent fires.  Annual dryer vent cleaning is the number one prevention of clothes dryer fires.  Have a dryer vent specialist inspect your dryer vent system to be sure it is safe and your dryer is operating efficiently.

 

This is great time to call the Wizard for a complete inspection of your dryer vent system.  Dryer Vent Wizard is the largest chain of dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation companies with nearly 60 locations in the US.  Services by the Wizard ensure your clothes dryer operates safely and efficiently. 

Dryer Vent Wizard of the Treasure Coast is a licensed and insured company with uniformed professional technicians trained to solve any venting issues customers may have. Technicians are bonded, with background checks for customer’s peace of mind.  Dryer Vent Wizard stands 100% behind their work and guarantees full customer satisfaction.

Dryer Vent Wizard of the Treasure Coast serves homes and businesses in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Brevard Counties, Tequesta, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, Palm City, Stuart, Jensen Beach, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Port Salerno, White city, Lakewood Park, Vero Beach, Sebastian, Micco, Malabar, Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island, Satellite Beach, and neighboring cities and communities.

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Dryer Vent Cleaning Service by the Stuart Wizard

Dryer Vent Cleaning Stuart:  Dryer Vent Cleaning is the number one defense against clothes dryer fires.  The number of dryer fires has increased to over 17,000 per year, causing over $100 million in property damages.  So why is it that this important appliance maintenance task so often neglected?

Out of sight, out of mind is the reason dryer vent cleaning is often overlooked, but you really cannot afford to ignore this chore.  The lint trap in the dryer will only catch about 60-80 percent of the lint removed from laundry.  The rest will end up in the dryer cabinet or trapped in the dryer exhaust system where it accumulates and becomes a fire hazard.

Dryer lint is highly flammable which makes it good fuel for a fire to spread quickly throughout your dryer vent system and your home.  As your dryer works to remove lint and moisture from tumbling laundry, the moist lint sticks to the sides of the dryer ducts and eventually builds up.  Over time this reduces airflow, the dryer works harder and the motor overheats.  This is a fire hazard and the cause of increased energy consumption.

Dryer Vent Inspection and Safety Tips

Clean the lint trap after every load of laundry even if there is only a small amount of lint on the screen.  The lint should be dry; if it’s wet then there is an airflow problem most likely due to lint build-up in the dryer ducts.  Wash the lint screen with soapy water every few months to remove residue from dryer sheets.  Check the screen for tears. 

Look for lint on the floor behind and around the dryer.  If there is lint around the dryer then you need to have a dryer vent specialist inspect the system; this is a sign that it is time for dryer vent cleaning.

Go outside and inspect the dryer vent hood while the dryer is running to be sure it is opening and there is airflow.  You should see it working; if not, then it is time for a good dryer vent cleaning and inspection.

If clothes are taking more than one cycle to dry this is a sign of restricted airflow.  It is not a sign that the dryer is wearing out even if it is very old.  Other signs of poor airflow are clothes having a moldy or smoky smell when they come out of the dryer or if laundry is very hot when you remove it.

More Safety Tips for the Laundry Room

Do not place clothes or rags soaked with flammable materials in the dryer even if they have been washed.  Some combustible residue can remain on the fabric and cause a fire hazard.  These items should be line dried.

Laundry rooms make great storage areas but do not store flammable chemicals like paint thinners or lighter fluid near the clothes dryer.

Never leave the house or go to sleep when the dryer is running.

Dryer Vent Cleaning and Maintenance

Dryer vent cleaning is recommended at least once a year.  There are products you can buy to clean your dryer ducts including brushes with rods that can be attached to a drill but most of these products are only good for short, straight dryer ducts.  If you have a run longer that 10 feet or one with elbows then it’s a good idea to call a dryer vent cleaning professional to do the job.  A dryer vent repair and maintenance specialist will have the equipment needed to do the job right.  Since most dryer exhaust systems are installed by homeowners many have problems that need to be addressed. 

Dryer Vent Repairs and Alterations

A dryer vent professional can do a thorough inspection of your dryer vent system to be sure it meets current safety codes.  Plastic or flexible foil ducts should be replaced with rigid metal.  Depending on the location of your clothes dryer this can prove to be a big job, sometimes requiring tearing into a wall or ceiling. 

Dryer vent cleaning, repair and proper installation are critical to preventing fires and ensuring your dryer exhaust system is working efficiently.  The fee for this service is small compared to the loss of your home should you have a fire.  In addition the money saved on energy bills and appliance repair bills is much more than the service charge for dryer vent cleaning and maintenance.

George Perez, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard of the Treasure Coast is licensed and insured with uniformed professional technicians trained to solve any venting issues customers may have. Technicians are bonded, with background checks for customer’s peace of mind.  Dryer Vent Wizard stands 100% behind their work and guarantees full customer satisfaction.