According to the National Fire Protection Association, roughly 13,820 house fires are caused by clothes dryers each year across the country. A buildup of lint is responsible for about 27% of these fires, which implies that not cleaning out your dryer vent might put you in a risky scenario considerably worse than the performance decline produced by limiting a dryer’s ductwork. When lint has piled up and clogged the vent, some dryers include indicators that will inform you.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE CAUSES OF A DRYER FIRE?
Failing to clean properly is the most common cause of dryer fires. Lint can start building up and catch fire in the heating element or exhaust duct since a lint trap is not a foolproof way of capturing all the fuzzy material from clothes.
The fact that many households now put dryers outside of their basements adds to the situation. As a result, dryer vent pipes are often significantly longer. Longer vent pipes are more likely to be twisted and bent to fit the structure of the home, creating places for lint to gather.
DRYER FIRE PREVENTION TIPS
Clean out the lint.
Cleaning the lint screen before and after each drying cycle is a wonderful habit to develop throughout your laundry routine. This is an apparent first line of protection against dryer fires. Wiping down the interior of the dryer can also eliminate additional lint accumulation that the screen does not catch. This is a less evident phase that many people overlook, but it is nevertheless critical.
It is also important that you never use a dryer without a lint filter, as this removes the dryer’s built-in protection against harmful lint accumulation. This may sound obvious, yet you’d be amazed how frequently it occurs.
Only use metal venting material that is rigid or flexible.
Most clothes dryer manufacturers recommend using flexible or stiff metal venting material to maintain optimal drying time and airflow. Lint can accumulate in accordion-style ducting, causing clogs and increasing blockages. Any dryer venting made of plastic or coiled wire foil should be replaced immediately with rigid non-ribbed metal ducting. Purchasing from a trustworthy vendor is critical to ensuring that your equipment meets the necessary safety requirements.
It is usually a good idea to complete your homework on any large item before purchasing it. Looking at the unit’s website to confirm it is from a reliable source, as well as reviewing user reviews, will help you make an informed purchase.
Check that the air exhaust vent pipe is not obstructed.
One of the primary causes of dryer fires is clogged dryer vents. When the vents are blocked, it is difficult to tell. Some people are completely unaware that the vents must be cleaned on a regular basis. However, it is critical to remember that lint builds on a large scale within the hoses and, when combined, can cause a significant problem. The accumulation inhibits ventilation, which can lead to overheating and fire.
Clean the exterior exhaust vent on a regular basis in between expert inspections. It is easiest to verify this while your dryer is operating by ensuring that the exhaust air is adequately leaving. If you cannot feel any air, a lint buildup is most likely obstructing the vent exit.
To clear the blockage, you may need to unplug the dryer’s exhaust vent. Before using the dryer again, remember to reconnect the ducting to the outside vent and dryer. If you are unclear how to proceed, it is usually best to get assistance from the manufacturer or hire an expert.
Avoid Overloading
Laundry is easy to put off, especially if you have a busy life. However, this can lead to you holding all of your filthy clothes to be washed on the same day, and it’s simple to use this as an excuse to overload your dryer, which can possibly be a safety problem.
A heavy load puts too much strain on the dryer, which is the leading reason for failure. An overloaded dryer can force the drum belt, spindle bearings, and pulleys to work overtime, resulting in higher-than-average temperatures, in addition to downtime and maintenance expenses. When this happens, the friction might start a fire.
This may be the simplest way to prevent dryer fires and problems. Reduce your laundry loads to a couple times a week and stay organized. If your schedule makes this impossible or unrealistic, you could be better off splitting your laundry load into two or three loads instead, and taking a bit longer (albeit safer) time to do this vital task.
Inspect Gas Lines
The gas line and connection should be inspected by experienced employees to ensure that they are free of leaks and in good working condition. Apart from a dryer fire, gas leaks are quite dangerous and can result in a variety of problems. If you notice a burning smell when using your dryer, turn it off right once and contact the manufacturer. Always stay away from the suspected gas leak area.
When you leave the house or go to sleep, never use the dryer.
Before going to work or running errands, we’ve definitely given in to convenience and placed a load of clothing in the dryer. However, if a fire starts while you’re away, you won’t be able to put it out quickly. Also, if you are sleeping, you may not notice that your house is on fire until it is too late.
Consider using the dryer only while you are home and awake for your personal safety. In case something goes wrong, it’s also a good idea to have a fire extinguisher in your laundry room.
A faulty clothes dryer raises the likelihood of a fire. Look for symptoms that your clothes dryer isn’t working properly, as well as any possible fire hazards. A lack of visible lint on the lint trap, the top of the dryer being hot to the touch while running, and clothes taking longer than one cycle to dry are all indicators to look out for. Clothing that comes out hotter than normal and the dryer pausing repeatedly throughout a cycle are also signs of potential issue.
Clean the heat vents on the rear of your clothes dryer as well. Pull your dryer out once a year and use your vacuum to clean the vents at the back. Lint tends to collect back there, and if it gets too hot, it may start a home fire quickly. Keep your clothes dryer serviced, maintained and clean by HomeSmiles so you don’t have to worry about losing your house or family members.
