Before the snow comes, let’s get the dryer vent cleaned!
Why should we clean our dryer venting system?
In March 2017, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) issued a report on this topic. Below is a summary of the report’s findings:
“Report Highlights-
In 2010-2014, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 15,970 home structure fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines each year.
-These fires caused annual averages of 13 civilian deaths, 444 civilian injuries, and $238 million in direct property damage.
-The vast majority of fires (92%) involved clothes dryers.
–The leading items first ignited in dryer fires were dust, fiber or lint (26% of total) and clothing (26%), while items first ignited in washing machine fires were part of the appliance itself, including wire or cable insulation (26%), appliance housing or casing (24%), and drive belt (11%).“
National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA)
Is your Dryer Vented Properly?
Your clothes dryer, whether gas or electric, should be vented outdoors because of the discharge of carbon monoxide and moisture. Not in the attic!
Outside Dryer Vent
Tools for cleaning the vent piping
The basic tools required to clean a 4″ vent pipe: drill, a brush tip, and enough flexible extension attachments to clean the length of your pipe.
- Drill, brush and 5 flexible extensions.
- Brush attached to drill with 1 flex-extension.
- Extending brush’s reach with more flex-extensions
- Additional flex-extensions added as needed.
- Keep on extending depending on your duct length
- Expanded brush reach by approximately 10 feet.
Cleaning the lint at the dryer
Here are the brushes needed to clean the lint filter opening:
Many years ago I had trouble with our dryer. I kept adding dryer time, but the clothes kept coming out damp. I cleaned all the vent pipes, the dryer itself, everything I could think of. So I called Sears. The serviceman noticed that the lint screen was clogged with soap. He asked me if we did a lot of our laundry in cold water, yes, we do I replied. He explained to me that the soap, which was not totally dissolved in the cold water clogged the lint screen in the heated dryer. And, that is why our clothes were coming out damp…FYI Guys!!!!!
What does a poorly installed vent pipe look like?
How about a properly installed venting system???
The best venting material is galvanized metal pipe, galvanized metal elbows held together with screws and aluminum tape.
Vent piping materials:
See you all soon.
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