The Chimney Pro Blog

The Importance of Keeping Your Dryer Vent Clean

We all know the importance of removing lint from the lint trap inside the dryer. Most wouldn’t think of running a load of clothes without performing this task. The buildup of lint in this area is just a small portion of the lint that is produced. The dryer vent is the route in which lint, air and gases travel and is removed from the home. Lint can build up and clog these vents creating a fire hazard.

When your vent is clogged the air can’t move thru the vent because this lint constricts the space in which the air travels. If your dryer cannot vent properly it will dry poorly. You may find yourself having damp clothing upon cycle completion. Not only is there a problem with time in getting your clothes dry but a clogged vent can also prevent poisonous carbon monoxide from leaving the home and letting these dangerous gases escape into your home. When the vent airflow is constricted the heated air is held inside producing increased temperatures which can ignite the highly combustible lint causing a house fire.

More commonly known is the need for professional chimney sweeping, but did you know that according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission almost 17,000 occurrences of house fires annually are related to neglected dryer vents? These fires result in loss of lives and injuries as well as millions of dollars from property damage. Improper installation and clearances are sometimes to blame, and the most common cause of fire is not having these vents cleaned and maintained.

Chimneys and dryer vents have similar jobs. Each are responsible for containing high heat and venting toxic gases and other combustion byproducts from your home. If not properly maintained chimneys and dryer vents can be a very hazardous, causing a fire in the home. During a typical inspection a CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician (C-DET) examines, cleans and verifies that the venting system is sized and installed correctly.

In addition to keeping you safe, an annual clothes dryer exhaust inspection by a CSIA C-Det technician can also increase the efficiency of your clothes dryer and decrease the wear on your appliance and your clothing which ultimately saves you, the homeowner, a lot of money.

Remember anyone can call themselves a professional and advertise these types of services but this means nothing without a CSIA C-DET Certification, the only nationally recognized credential. You may verify these credentials for any prospective companies at www.csia.org.

Contact Chimney Pro

Feel free to contact us at Chimney Pro at 1-256-845-9814 or use our contact form if you’re in our service areas of Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia, we would love to earn your business!

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