Dryer Vent Cleaning & Installation

Anyone who has ever seen the amount of lint that can come out of a dryer venting system during a professional cleaning would not hesitate for even a second to schedule an annual dryer vent cleaning. Dryer lint build-up is one of the most common causes of house fires, but because the dryer vent is hidden from view, it is too easy to put out of mind. However, there can be an immense amount of lint jammed inside your dryer’s venting pipe. A highly-combustible material, lint can become a very real fire hazard. The chimney professionals at Hudson Chimney have also seen blockages in dryer exhaust vents from nests of small animals and insects and damages to the venting system or an improper connection. A compromised vent will not exhaust properly to the outside. Accumulated lint can lead to reduced airflow and this can cause overheating which could easily start a fire. Most people assume that their dryer’s lint trap does a good enough job when it comes to catching lint, and while it generally does, “good enough” has not been enough for some. U.S. fire departments report an estimated 2,900 clothes dryer fires in residential buildings each year, causing an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property loss.

Wondering why a chimney sweep company also specializes in dryer vent cleaning? Well, a dryer vent is not very different from a chimney; it just carries away moisture and flammable lint instead of smoke and wood debris. Hudson Chimney is trained to clean and install dryer vents. Beyond routinely cleaning out your dryer’s lint trap, it’s recommended that you have your dryer vent professionally cleaned once a year. One good indication that your dryer’s venting system needs cleaning is if it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry. Call us today to schedule your Florida dryer vent cleaning.

Clothes Dryer Fire Statistics

These findings were collected by the U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS):

• Clothes dryer fire incidences in residential buildings were higher in the fall and winter months, peaking in January at 11 percent.
• Failure to clean (34 percent) was the leading factor contributing to the ignition of clothes dryer fires in residential buildings.
• Dust, fiber and lint (28 percent) and clothing not on a person (27 percent) were, by far, the leading items first ignited in clothes dryer fires in residential buildings.
• Fifty-four percent of clothes dryer fires in residential buildings were confined to the object of origin.

How to Prevent a Clothes Dryer Fire

Beyond routinely cleaning out your dryer’s lint trap between each load of laundry, there are many things you can do to prevent your clothes dryer from becoming a fire hazard:

• Have your dryer installed by qualified personnel.
• Clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up. While you’re back there, inspect the venting system to ensure it is not damaged, crushed or restricted. Consider replacing coiled-wire foil or plastic venting with rigid, non-ribbed metal duct.
• Make sure that outside wall dampers have a covering that keeps out rain and dirt.
• Make sure the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is operating. Also check periodically to see that nests of small animals and insects are not blocking the outside vent.
• Have the interior of your dryer and venting system serviced and cleaned periodically by qualified service personnel.
• Have gas-powered dryers inspected by a professional annually to ensure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.
• Make sure the correct electrical plug and outlet are used and that the dryer is connected properly.
• Don’t run your dryer when you’re away from home or while you’re sleeping.

For a thorough dryer vent cleaning, call Hudson Chimney today. We can be reached at 904-282-4159.

When you contact us, you can be assured that you are getting reliable, professional service. Hudson Chimney is ready to help you.