Dryer Vent and Furnace Flue Sweeps

Another safety fun fact most people are not aware of; debris and lint buildup in your clothing dryer vent is more likely to cause a house fire than your chimney! The U.S. Fire Administration, National Fire Data Center reports that “there are over 12,700 home fires per year associated with clothes dryer fires resulting in 15 deaths and 300 injuries, and 88 million dollars in property loss.”  These millions of dollars' worth of damage could have easily been prevented if the homeowners had a certified dryer exhaust technician (awarded by the Chimney Safety Institute of America) inspect their dryer while sweeping the chimney.  The lint buildup in your exhaust system blocks air flow from your dryer which causes it to stay hotter, run less efficiently and eventually catch fire.  If you notice that your dryer is becoming slower to dry your clothes, a clogged dryer vent exhaust is likely to blame.  The venting method on your dryer can make a big difference in safety and performance as well.

A certified dryer exhaust technician will come out and make sure your dryer exhaust is unclogged as well as perform a safety check.  For example, flexible aluminum pipes and plastic pipes ARE NOT CODE COMPLIANT and should be replaced, as these materials deteriorate quickly and are more easily crushed during installation, which reduces the venting capacity. They will also make sure that you never allow your dryer vent exhaust to terminate under the house or inside the attic space.  There could be a bird or small animal obstructing the vent and they can remove the pest.  After checking for safety hazards, the sweep will clean the dryer vent.  Dryer vent cleaning requires the use of specialized brushes and other equipment to do a thorough job that doesn't damage your system. After cleaning your dryer exhaust system, they will use air flow gauges that show improved air flow for optimum performance. It's that simple!  Having a clear dryer vent will make your dryer last longer and run more efficiently, which will save you money by reducing your energy consumption.

Our recommendation is to regularly clean the lint from your dryer vent, this means after every time to run it.  Also, hire a certified chimney sweep to perform an inspection and clean your entire dryer exhaust system when they come to look at your chimney.  Some dryers are installed with very short runs of pipe that can be cleaned relatively easily by the homeowner, but complicated installations usually need special, professional style equipment that your chimney sweep uses regularly.

Call one of our member companies today to come out and inspect your dryer.  Having your dryer vent professionally inspected and cleaned helps reduce energy consumption, operating costs, reduces the possibility of a fire, and increases the lifespan of your dryer.