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REASONS FOR DRYER VENT INSPECTION, REPAIR & CLEANING
- SAFETY: Prevent fires & carbon monoxide poisoning
In 1998, the most recent statistics available, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that over 15,600 dryer fires occurred killing 20 people, injuring 370 more and causing over $75.4 million in property damage.
And the number continues to rise. Why? Most people don't know that their dryer vents need to be cleaned. They clean out their lint filters -- and think that's enough. But the dryer vent duct is where lint can really build up and get clogged. This accumulated lint is highly flammable, accounting for most dryer vent fires. Additionally, gas-powered clothes dryers vent their gases out of a home through the dryer vent. If the vent is blocked, carbon monoxide backs up into a home--often with deadly results.
In addition to lint build-up and blocked vents buildup, improper installation of a dryer vent system can also pose a serious danger. To ensure safety, Lord's certified dryer vent cleaning professionals can detect potential hazards such as the presence of flammable vinyl duct or a duct run that is improperly routed.
- EFFICIENCY: Increase effectiveness & save money
- Dry clothes more rapidly
- Save on utility bills
- Help the dryer last longer
- Create less wear & tear on your clothes (prolonging their life)
If your dryer isn't drying your clothes like it used to, you may not need a new dryer - the problem may be your dryer vent. A clogged dryer vent reduces airflow so that the dryer doesn't dry as efficiently. An inefficient dryer requires more time and more energy, thereby costing more money. When clothes receive the appropriate amount of air, they dry more quickly, tumble less, and require less electric or gas usage. There's also less wear and tear on the clothing, increasing its life. Proper venting helps achieve maximum performance and extends the life of your dryer.
Put your family's safety in the hands of the certified professionals at Lords Dryer Vent. We will protect you against potential fire and save you money as well - two great reasons why you should think about your dryer vent.
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RECOMMENDED SERVICE/MAINTENANCE
- An initial inspection by a certified dryer exhaust technician (CDET) to insure that your system is designed appropriately and that there is limited lint build-up. A maintenance schedule will then be recommended based on the design features of the exhaust system.
- Depending on the design, a yearly inspection (especially for systems with long vents or vents with bends) may be needed. Most booster fan manufacturers recommend that they be inspected every 6 months.
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WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN EXAMINING A DRYER VENT SYSTEM
Dryer Vent Checklist: Indicators of Appropriate Venting Systems
- Typical drying times should not exceed one cycle per load.
- Dryer ducts (vents) should be at least 4" in diameter and as large as the dryer outlet.
- Concealed ducts should be made of rigid metal.
- Duct joints should be secured with metal tape - not screws, rivets or flammable duct tape.
- The length of the dryer duct should not exceed 25 feet unless otherwise permitted by the dryer manufacturer. In this calculation, a 45 degree elbow counts as 2.5 feet, and a 90 degree elbow counts as 5 feet.
- Joints should be installed so that the male end of the pipe points in the direction of the airflow (away from the dryer).
- Dryer vents should be independent of all other venting systems and terminate outdoors. (They should not vent into another chimney or vent.)
- Outside termination hoods should be equipped with a backdraft damper.
- Duct backpressure should not exceed 0.6 WC (inches of water column). Higher backpressures indicate a poorly installed vent or a vent that needs cleaning.
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AN OVERVIEW OF INSPECTION & CLEANING PROCEDURES [What You Should Expect When We Come]
- A certified technician will present a business card and photo ID. Protective footwear will be worn to protect flooring.
- The technician will then do each of the following.
- Check the dryer air flow outside at the vent termination.
- If the vent goes through the attic, inspect that portion of the vent.
- Conduct a back pressure test on the vent directly behind the dryer. (All dryers are different. Even if the air flow is good outside at the vent termination, a back pressure test will further determine if the dryer is venting freely.)
- Pull the dryer away from the wall, remove the connector pipe, and check air flow directly behind the dryer. (This will determine if the dryer itself is venting properly).
- Conduct a close-circuit video scan to check lint buildup and the condition ofthe vent.
- Connect a powerful vacuum to the inside of the vent to suck the lent out of the duct. This assures cleanliness outside and inside of the home.
- Clean the entire vent using a rotary rod and brush system which utilizes a drill to scrub the vent via rotation and spin action.
- Clean the dryer connector pipe and reinstall it.
- Check the air flow outside again at the dryer vent termination.
- Conduct a second back pressure test and close-circuit video scan to monitor the effects of the cleaning processes.
- Clean up all work areas.
- Customers are encouraged to ask questions of the technician. We want you to understand the processes and results.
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BOOSTER FANS
Booster fans are sometimes used to increase airflow and decrease backpressure with long and/or winding vents. The booster fans may, however, form an obstruction to the exhaust process and trap lint-thus becoming a fire hazard. Extra maintenance is needed to prevent this from happening. Many booster fan instruction manuals suggest inspection and maintenance every 6 months. Sometimes this maintenance involves cleaning the intact fan with special tools, and others times it involves disassembling the fan for cleaning. Booster fan cleaning is not included in the standard cleaning process or fees.
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