Cleaning Your Dryer Vents: Tips for Preventing a House Fire!
Make it a ritual!
If cleaning your dryer vents isn’t part of your home maintenance plan, then you should. Each year there are more than 15,000 home fires caused by dryer fires with more than 300 injuries and 30 deaths. Failure to clean your dryer vents also causes $ 90 million in damage in the United States alone. Based on these statistics, it is important for all homeowners to know the recommendations and procedures for cleaning dryer vents that will keep them safe and comfortable in their home for years to come. Take a look at these important questions about cleaning your dryer vents and the facts to consider when deciding how to do it, when to do it, and who should do it.
What are the clues you need to clean your dryer vent?
If the dryer takes longer to dry a load than it used to, the vents may need to be cleaned. As a general rule of thumb, the dryer vents should be cleaned every six months. A simple reminder is to start cleaning your dryer vents the same day you change your clocks for daylight saving time.
What is the purpose of cleaning the dryer vents?
As the clothes dry, they produce lint and the lint trap does not catch all the lint that goes through the dryer. By cleaning the dryer vents outside of the lint trap, you are removing this excess lint.
Where are the dryer vents?
When cleaning your dryer vents, you should be sure to clean the vent located at the rear of the dryer, as well as the pipe path to the outside of your home.
Should I clean my vents on my own?
You can easily hire someone, or if you’re comfortable and willing to buy the right tools, you can easily clean the dryer vents yourself. You can find tools in hardware and home improvement stores, or online made specifically for cleaning your dryer vents. When cleaning your dryer vents, you will need a circular or horizontal brush that is at the end of a plastic / metal pole or a durable line. Ask a professional to help you find the best tool for the needs and shape of your dryer.
Take this simple step toward preventing fires in your home that will go a long way toward keeping your family safe.