Clogged Dryer Vent Fire

How to get clogged lint out of dryer venting.

Clogged dryer vent fire.

More home clothes dryer fires occur in the fall and winter months peaking in january. Kim grugle finance assistant here at bpi recently hired a technician to clean her. Unsurprisingly the leading cause of these fires at 34 is the failure to clean dryer vents. 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.

The lint that has built up over the past few months or year affects not only the operation of your dryer vent but can also be a fire hazard. When a dryer vent is clogged the drying cycle can double or triple in time. Lint also builds up with added condensation pests in the vent what you dry and how often the dryer runs. If your vent is blocked by lint the air will stay in your dryer keeping your clothes hot and moist.

Poorly vented or clogged dryer vent can cause fire hazards and even carbon monoxide poisoning. 2 900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths 100 injuries and 35 million in property loss. The same is true for the check vent feature on maytag and whirlpool dryers. Failure to clean the dryer 34 percent is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires.

A clogged dryer vent can be caused by a buildup of lint in the ventilation system that is restricting air flow. You ll notice that clothes are not completely dry at the end of a regular cycle. Hoses that are bent crimped squashed or otherwise. Facts about home clothes dryer fires.

The vast majority of fires 92 involved clothes dryers. A dryer is designed to push out the hot moist air for clothing to dry. The hose or pipe is held in place by a clip or a steel clamp that can be loosened with pliers or a screwdriver. As many as 15 000 fires are dryer vent related.

Lint buildup in your dryer vents not only affects the operation of the dryer it s a fire hazard. At least once per year unplug the dryer and check the area where the exhaust vent connects to the dryer. After removing the pipe reach inside the dryer opening or use a vent brush to remove as much lint as possible.