Local Dryer Fire Reminds Us of Importance of Regular Dryer Vent Inspection and Cleanings

Not a week goes by when we don’t hear of another tragic fire caused by an overheated dryer sparking built up lint in the dryer vent.

The most recent case took place just north of our Yorkville chimney sweep shop in McHenry, IL. Luckily no one was injured, but when firefighters arrived they found the homeowners in the laundry room attempting to extinguish the blaze themselves. Firefighters escorted the homeowners to safety and put out the fire a short time later.

During the warm summer months our jobs as chimney sweeps often transitions to another of our services — providing annual dryer vent inspections and cleanings. So, we thought now would be a ideal time to once again revisit the importance of our dryer vent maintenance recommendations.

To help prevent dryer fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, the Chimney Sweep Institute of America recommends a home’s dryer vent system receive an annual inspection and cleaning as needed by a Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician like those on staff at Valley Chimney Sweep & Restoration.

Clogged or loose dryer vents can cause many dangerous issues in your home. Lint buildup in a dryer vent system is highly flammable and can quickly spark a devastating fire. Loose venting systems can cause another type of serious danger — a carbon monoxide leak.  

Carbon Monoxide is a poisonous odorless gas that can only be detected through the use of a carbon monoxide detector. If your home is without a carbon monoxide detector, it’s imperative that you install one immediately. They are relatively cheap, easy to install and are available at all big box and local hardware stores.

Valley has several Certified Dryer Exhaust Technicians who can provide peace of mind that your dryer venting system is operating all year long. In addition to clearing out dryer vents clogged with flammable lint, our techs also search for improperly installed or loosening dryer vents or venting systems.

Today’s larger homes are built with laundry rooms often found on an upper level. While that may be a convenient location, a second floor laundry can lead to dangerous hookup situations with longer vent runs to the outside. Many times improper materials are also used.

Take a moment to assess your dryer’s venting system to determine if it’s made up of the proper materials. Dryer ducts must be at least 4” in diameter and at least as large as the dryer outlet

• Dryer exhaust should not be longer than 25 feet (each 90° angle adds 5 feet)
• Dryer vent should end outside, not in a chimney crawl space, attic or garage
• The termination point of the dryer vent should have a back draft damper and bird guard protection
• Metal transition ducts should be used only between the dryer and the exhaust duct at the wall or ceiling
• Flexible transition ducts shall never be used in enclosed area; only 4″ rigid metal is allowed

According to the Federal government, there are over 15,000 dryer-related fires in the US each year. Many of these fires are preventable with a regular dryer vent inspection and cleaning. To ensure your dryer is running safely, schedule a dryer vent inspection with Valley Chimney Sweep and Restoration today.