Dryer Vent Cleaning
A lack of {routine|regular} maintenance could put your {home|house} at risk of {having|experiencing} a fire if you don’t know how to clean a dryer vent.
Do you know how to clean a dryer vent? When’s the last time you checked yours?
A lack of {routine|regular} maintenance could put your {home|house} at risk {for|to get} a fire if you don’t regularly clean your lint filter and dryer vent. In {fact|actuality}, the U.S. Fire Administration reports that {every|each and every} year clothes dryers are the cause of {more than|over} 2,900 home fires. And, {aside from|besides} being a fire hazard, a {dirty|filthy} dryer vent can increase drying time and spike energy {costs|prices}.
{Here’s|Here is} How To {Remove|Eliminate} Dryer Lint:
When’s the last time you cleaned your dryer vent? A lack of {routine|regular} maintenance could put your {home|house} at risk of {having|experiencing} a fire if you don’t know how to clean a dryer vent.
Signs of Lint Buildup
Is {your|the} laundry taking longer to dry? {Do you have|Have you got} to run the {same|exact same} load twice? Is the top of your dryer hot to the touch after {each|every} use? {Rather than|Instead of} a faulty {dryer|drier}, clogged ductwork {may|might} be the culprit. The removable dryer lint filter {catches|captures} {most|the majority} of the line as it {passes|moves} through a load of laundry.
But|However}, pieces of lint can sneak past the filter and get stuck in {crevices along|cracks across} the dryer duct. {When|Whenever} there’s a buildup of lint, airflow is {restricted|limited}, which {can|may} {lead to|result in} overheating. If the air {inside|in} the duct {gets|becomes} hot enough, it can {ignite|spark} the lint and {cause|create} a dryer fire.
How to Clean a Dryer Vent Duct
{Rather than|As opposed to} {hire|employ} a {professional|specialist}, a DIY cleaning job saves money. The tools and {supplies|equipment} you {need|want} to clean a dryer vent duct {include|comprise} a vacuum {with|using} a long hose attachment, dryer vent brush kit, screwdrivers and UL-listed {metal|metallic} foil duct tape.
Step one:
{The first|First} thing you {have|need} to do is {locate|find} where the duct {begins|starts} and ends. Most dryers will have a {short|brief} 4-inch diameter exhaust in back that connects to the ductwork through {an|a} aluminum elbow.
Hot air goes through {those|these} pipes and {exits|leaves} your {house|home} through an opening {on|onto} an outside wall.
Step two:
Safely disconnect your dryer by unplugging the power cord from the {outlet|socket} or turning off the {gas|gasoline} or propane valve.
{Remove|Eliminate} any clamps or {metal|metallic} tape so {that |}you can pull the dryer vent pipe free {from|in} the exhaust. If you {own|have} a dryer that runs on natural gas, be extremely careful you {don’t|do not} disturb the {dryer’s|drier’s} gas line when disconnecting the power. A gas leak is {serious|severe}; call a professional if {you’re|you are} unsure of the {process|procedure}.
Step three:
Pull the vent pipe {away |}from the wall duct. {And then|Then} remove the dust {cover|cap} from the exit point {outside|out} so that you have clear access to the entire ductwork.
The dryer vent brush kit will {come with|have} a lint brush and {flexible|elastic} segments {that|which} {you can|it is possible to} connect together, {depending|based} on the {length|duration} of your dryer ducts. You do need special {vent|port} brushes {in order|so as} to effectively clean a dryer vent duct.
Step four:
Insert the vent brush {into|to} the ductwork and {spin|twist} it counter-clockwise {while|whilst} pushing the brush as far as {you can|possible} down the dryer ducts. If you need more length to reach the {other|opposite} end of the {duct,|duct, then} add another {segment|section} from your brush kit. The brush should loosen lint {that|which} has become lodged {along|across} the ductwork.
Pro tip: {enter|input} from the {outside|exterior} of the {house|home} if {it’s|it is} located higher than the {dryer|drier}. Gravity {can|will} help clear lodged debris and {it’s|it is} {easier|a lot easier} to clean lint {on|in} your laundry room floor than having it clutter any landscaped areas. While {you have|you’ve got} the vacuum out, {remember|don’t forget} to clean out the {inside|interior} of the dryer outlet {as well|also}.
Step {five|5}:
Clean all {of |}the lint that comes {out of|from} the duct work with a vacuum{.|cleaner.} (Heads up: It {may|might} be a lot!) Use the flexible hose attachment to {clear|clean} out the openings on both ends, and the lint trap {housing|casing}. Repeat as needed until {there is|there’s} no more {existing|present} lint that {needs to|should} be {removed|eliminated}.
Step six:
{Put|Place} {all|each} {of |}the {dryer|drier} components back together and plug it in. Then give it a trial run before {sliding|slipping} it back into place.Check to {make|be} {sure|certain} all of the {venting|ventilation} {remains|stays} connected and there are no gas leaks, if your dryer runs on {natural |}gas,” he says. “Bad connections {can|may} {lead to|result in} problems {later on|in the future}.”
While you’re at it, we recommend checking to {ensure|make certain} that your outside dryer vent is in {good|great} working order, {too|also}. {Make|Be} sure it’s well {fastened|secured} or caulked {to|into} the {building|construction}. A poor installation {can|may} {lead to|result in} extra heat or {air conditioning|ac} costs and allow pests to enter your {home|dwelling}.
Safety Precautions to {Consider|Take into Account }
When you hook your dryer back up, avoid using a {soft|gentle} foil-style {vent|port} that connects to the wall duct, {as|because} these are a known fire hazard. These and other flexible plastic tubes are {forbidden|prohibited} by most building codes. Go with {an adjustable|a flexible} rigid, 90-degree elbow {at|in} the exhaust end of the dryer instead.
Why {choose|select} Leons Carpet Cleaning Service?
{Many|A number} of our {competitors|opponents} clean only the portion of the dryer vent {using|with} a simple duct brush, between the walls of {the|their} {home|house} leaving other {areas|regions} of build up {at|in} the {exterior|outside} opening, dryer duct connection hose {and even|as well as} the dryer itself. A {full-service|full size} cleaning should include all areas where lint accumulates and {that is|that’s} what we proudly {deliver|provide}.
Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning Services
{Apart|Aside} from the fire {dangers|risks} of not cleaning dryer lint, dryer vent cleaning is important to maintaining the efficiency of your dryer. If you {do not|don’t} clean your dryer vent on a regular basis, you take the chance that your unit will perform at {optimal|optimum} specifications and {could|might} very well burn {out |}your appliance and {potentially|possibly} break your {warranty|guarantee}.
We {provide|supply} dryer vent lint removal {services|solutions} to {customers|clients} in Woodbridge, VA area. We {remove|eliminate} clogged dryer vents, clear vent openings and remove lint buildup.
We help you {remove|eliminate} fire hazards and {help|assist} your clothes dryer help drying {clothing|clothes} properly. Having your vent cleaning {can|may} also remove dampness and bad {odors|smells} in your laundry {room|area}.
Some try to {clean|wash} their {venting|ventilation} systems using a cheap brush kit, a department store dryer vent cleaning kit or a vacuum attachment.
Your better bet {is|would be} to {call|phone} a commercial air duct and vent cleaning company like Leons Carpet Cleaning, that has commercial {vent|port} cleaning tools like high-powered {commercial|industrial} vacuums and {vent|port} brushes.
{In|From} the user manual for Maytag, (one of the {leading|Top} dryer companies) they {specify|define} the symptoms {for|to get} a blocked dryer {vent|port} as follows:
- {Long|Extended} Dry
- Dryer is {very|extremely} {warm|hot} to the touch
- Steam/Moisture {in|from} the {dryer|drier }
- Water dripping on the {floor|ground }
Benefits of {using|Working with} a Dryer Duct Cleaning Company
By choosing our dryer vent cleaning {services|solutions}, we can be {a |}part of the solution of {helping|assisting} protects your home and its contents from fires, smoke, and pollutants. We can also help you significantly reduce the energy operating costs. Dryers run {more efficiently|better}, last longer and even clothes will dry faster {when|if} your dryer vents are properly maintained.
Contact Leons Carpet Cleaning today to inspect and clean your dryer vents.
Call Us At 1-000-000-0000
[ne_semantic_video video_id=”IxkoMJM3nX4″ title=”How To Clean A Dryer Duct – Step By Step” upload_time=”2018-12-30T20:34:23Z” description=”Visit website for more infor: Cleaning A Dryer Vent When you consider that 15,000 fires start in the laundry room every year and that these fires are mostly” duration=”428″]
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Cleaning A Dryer Vent
When you consider that 15,000 fires start in the laundry room every year and that these fires are mostly due to lint build up in the clothes dryer or a clogged dryer duct it makes you wonder why we don’t do something about it. Annual dryer duct cleaning will ensure you avoid these possible issues.
Determining if your dryer duct is full of lint and in need of cleaning can be straightforward. The clue is noticing if your clothes dryer is taking longer to dry a load of clothes, actually taking two and three cycles to dry clothes that once dried in one.
If your clothes come out hot after the last cycle then you can usually rule out your your heating element and suspect a blocked duct.
Inspect Exterior Vent Flap
Inspect the exterior vent flap when the dryer is in use. Make sure there are no exterior obstructions like bird, mouse or bee nests. The air velocity should open this vent wide open. If the exterior flapper barely opens then your airflow is minimal and your duct may need to be cleaned or shortened.
bathroom vent hood
Check For Kinked Hose Behind Dryer
When dryers are located a short distance from an outside wall, the short, straight exhaust duct runs worked well, and leaves little need for maintenance and making inspecting easy. Many laundry rooms today are situated deeper inside homes with long runs and several elbows, often resulting in restrictive airflow. Many times these pipes are buried in finished ceilings or floors.
Clues Your Dryer Duct Is Clogged
Clothes take an unusually long time to dry
Clothes are hotter than usual at the end of the drying cycle
Outside of dryer feels unusually hot
Exterior vent flap barely opens when dryer is on
Laundry room feels warmer or more humid than normal
Unexplained moisture stains appear in ceiling below exhaust pipe
Burnt smell when using machine
Do You Have The Correct Vent Pipe?
Before you clean our your dryer duct, it’s a good idea to see if you have the correct type of pipe installed, and if it was installed properly to operate safely.
Inspect the rear of the dryer and ensure that the was not pushed in too far, resulting in the dryer duct being crushed. This condition would also slow air flow and create a lint trap. A good dryer to pipe transition is the “Periscope-type connector.” I like these connectors because they eliminate the common problem of kinked and crushed transition ducts behind the dryer.
Dryer ducts should be UL-approved 4″ metal material and all the joints sealed with metal foil tape. The metal tape helps seal off air leaks form the system and makes the air flow more efficient. Avoid using metal screws or white plastic flex pipe.
Removing white plastic flex pipe
There should be no sheet-metal screws, rivets or any other fastener used to connect the duct joints. Fasteners that extend into the airway will catch lint and obstruct airflow. Clamps or foil duct tape should be used to secure joints.
Avoid White or Mylar Spiral Type Duct
Mylar-covered spiral wire duct was popular for awhile and replaced the white vinyl duct. Mylar is a shiny metallic-coated polyester film, and it is slightly more heat-resistant than vinyl, but still presents a fire hazard. The use of solid all-metal exhaust ducts is now the standard, code-approved, and solid piping is still the BEST method for venting.
Look for sags in the dryer exhaust duct-pipe run. This happens when the pipe is not properly supported and the sag cab create a restriction, preventing all the moisture and lint from blowing out.
Insulate Any Vent Pipe In Unheated Spaces
Ensure that any dryer ducts traveling through unheated attic or eve spaces are insulated. Un-insulated pipe will sweat or create frost and interior lint build up.
Dryer Duct Best Practices
Use rigid aluminum or rigid galvanized steel duct (especially if concealed). If flexible metal duct must be used, use the semi-rigid type.
The dryer duct should be as straight and short as possible. Minimize 90-degree turns. Sharp turns cause back pressure and create resistance to airflow. Two 45-degree bends are more efficient than one 90-degree bend. For best performance, separate all turns by 4 feet of straight duct.
Duct joints should be wrapped with foil tape to make air and moisture tight.
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