Fire Prevention

Unfortunately I missed Fire Prevention Week this year but I thought I would share a link to their Brochure in PDF format - http://www.fiprecan.ca/pdf/FPW_Kit_English_Final_2012.pdf .
On page 15 of the brochure under the subject Winter Safety here is what it says about Dryer Safety -


How to avoid Dryer Fires  
-  Lack of maintenance is the number one cause of dryer fires.  That is why it is critical to
clean the lint filter before and after each use, and wipe away any lint that has
accumulated around the drum.  
-  Perform periodic checks to ensure that the air exhaust vent pipe is unobstructed (lint
accumulation) and the outdoor vent flap opens readily.  
-  Do not run the dryer without a lint filter.  
-  You are encouraged to not leave the dryer running if you go out, in case it malfunctions.  

Dryer fires are more common than most people think. There are few things in the home that are as flammable as dryer lint. If the area around your dryer is dusty or linty your dryer vent is in need of a professional cleaning.

Insurance companies also recommend having your dryer cleaned by a professional yearly.
If you own a home with an apartment(s) it is imperative you protect yourselves and your tenants by cleaning your dryer vents and your dryers.

I was in an apartment just yesterday and the tenant did not ever clean the lint from the lint traps in the machine. The trap and the machine was completely jammed with lint. The dryer motor was blown and the machine had to be replaced.

Dryer vent cleaning is relatively cheap compared what results from lack of maintenance.
Contact us to have your vents cleaned - clearmyvent@gmail.com

Laundromat dryer vent cleaning

A new customer called this week and asked for his dryer vents to be cleaned. He had a laundromat with machines that keep over heating.When I went down to take a look right away I knew what the problem was.

Around the door that leads behind the dryers was a coat of lint. When the door was opened lint was covering everything. 

Why would lint behind the dryers matter?

A dryer sucks in air heats it and expels the air. If the source of air is dirty or contains lint you have a dangerous situation. Lint is flammable. If lint is sucked into your heat source then it is quite possible you could have a fire on your hands. Lint will also collect around the air intake vents. This will reduce the amount of air coming into the dryer. The heating element with out air flow will just continue to get hotter. The dryer in turn gets hotter. The computer heats up. The wiring heats up. The drum rollers heat up. The belts and motors heat up. Your dryer starts to break down and expensive repairs follow or total replacement. 

Now that might seem dramatized. Think for a second about your car. When your car over heats why do you pull over right away let it cool down and then either get it towed or limp it to the shop. Because you know that you are in for major repairs if you don't figure what is making your car overheat. It is cheaper to do the regular servicing then to have too pay for an engine overhaul. Dryers are the same. You keep your dryer exhaust vents clean. You maintain the area around your vents and have regular (every six months) dryer exhaust vent cleaning your machines won't need replacing or major overhauls.
Clear Vent dryer vent cleaning

Why Clean Your Dryer Vents?

Why clean your dryer vents... 

Dryer vents become dirty or clogged over time. Lint from clothing, human and animal hair, and whatever we left in our pockets quite often survive the washing machine. As clothes tumble around in the dryer this lint and debris from our clothes become air born. As the air from the dryer escapes through the ventilation system the damp lint and debris follow. Lint being damp as it escapes has a tendency to stick to the outer walls of the ventilation system. The lint over time reduces the air flow which makes the dryer work harder and can even restrict the air from escaping altogether.

If your dryer vents are clogged then the hot air that is supposed to escape isn’t. That means that the damp air is coming into the house. The result can be mould issues. But it can also mean allergy issues too.

Lint-clogged dryer vents create unnecessary wear and tear on dryer parts, which can lead to costly repairs. What kind of repairs? A dryer sucks in air from behind the dryer. The air passes an element very similar to that of an oven. The air blows through the tumbling clothes and then through the ventilation system. If the hot air has nowhere to go or is restricted the dryer begins to heat up. The air in the dryer becomes hotter but doesn’t dry the clothing because no moisture is being released through the vents. The dryer has sensors that will blow once the dryer reaches a certain temperature. The result is expensive repair cost.

Also as a dryer is working harder because of inefficiency and lack of air flow, the dryer will consume more energy resulting in higher gas or electric bills.

Clogged dryer vents can also pose as a potential fire hazard. Lint is very flammable. As dryer vents clog, the area surrounding the dryer usually accumulates quite a bit of lint. As the dryer sucks in air to be heated, lint would also be sucked up passing through the heating element. This creates a very dangerous fire hazard.

Warning signs that indicate your Dryer Vent is clogged.

• Jeans and towels take more than one cycle to dry
• Clothes are damp and hot after a cycle
• The dryer is hotter to the touch than usual
• Windows fog up in the house every time you use the dryer
• Your laundry room has a lint problem
• The outside vent isn’t opening while dryer is on
• You may even hear birds chirping in your vent

What can you do?

• Clean the lint trap after every load of laundry
• Inspect the vent outside to make sure it isn’t clogged or birds have not made your vent a home
• Pay attention to the condition of your dryer. Inspect the area surrounding your dryer including the electrical connections or the gas connections.
• Replace any plastic hoses or kinked hoses with proper metal hoses
• Never leave the dryer running when you are not paying attention
• Regular maintenance will ensure your dryer lasts many years.

There are monitors available that can help you feel safe about your dryer vents. Lint Alert monitors the air pressure in your ventilation system and lets you know when you need to clean your vents. http://www.lintalert.com

Regular inspections and maintenance is recommended by all  manufactures. They recommended getting your dryer vents cleaned by a professional every 12 to 18 months. A professional will be able to scrape out all the lint that has built up in your ventilation system and your dryer. An inspection by a professional will also ensure that your dryer will work efficiently and safely. http://toronto-dryerventcleaning.com/

Why clean your dryer vents? Your families’ safety is involved. A clean ventilation system also is energy efficient and keeps your family’s home cleaner