You know you need to make sure you get the proper maintenance done on your dryer, but you may have a tough time deciding how often to do what you can yourself and how often you should call in a professional to do the rest. Here are a few things to consider that will help in making a responsible decision:
How old is the dryer?
The age of your clothes dryer is something you really need to consider. The older the dryer is, the more likely there is lint clogged up in the system. It's a fact, time means more loads have gone through the machine and more lint has gone through the system. Another thing to keep in mind about older clothes dryers is that they were not built to the same efficient standards as today's dryers so they may need more maintenance to keep them going more efficiently.
How active is the dryer?
Do you just do a couple of loads of laundry on the weekend or less frequently; or do you have a large enough family to have you drying clothes every other day? The more active your clothes dryer is, the more often you will need to clean the dryer vent system.
How long is your dryer vent?
The length of a dryer vent is a major factor to consider when scheduling regular maintenance. If you have a dryer vent that is more than 10 feet long (meaning from the back of your dryer to where the line terminates outside your home), this means a lot more space where lint can be trapped along the path and a higher need for more frequent cleanings.
What path does your dryer vent take?
If your dryer vent takes a turn that is at a 90-degree angle, that is a hard space for the lint to make it's way around and safely out of your house. This type of vent is more likely to be trapping some amount of lint or dust in the line and that dust can slow down operations of your machine. If this design cannot be altered, you will want to consider having it professionally inspected more often.
Maintenance
You should start with the maintenance you can do which is cleaning out the lint trap before every load. You can also clean out the chute that the lint trap sits in with a specialized cleaner or the nozzle portion of your vacuum cleaner.
Eventually you should call in a professional who can look for the lint trapped inside your machine as well as in the vent line. This should be done at least once a year for moderate use and more frequently if you use your machine more often.
This article was written by Rhonda Nole, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard of the Greater North Bay area, servicing Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Lake and Mendocino Counties and the following cities in California: San Francisco, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Cotati, Windsor, Napa, Ross, Kentfield, Bodega Bay, Healdsburg, American Canyon, Corte Madera, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Guerneville, Greenbrae, Sausalito, Marin City, Larkspur, San Anselmo, Sonoma, Glen Ellen, Cloverdale, Mill Valley, Woodacre, Novato, Tiburon, Belvedere, Stinson Beach and other near by areas.
Dryer Vent Wizard of the Greater North Bay Area Rhonda Nole PO Box 7625 Cotati, CA 94931 Phone: 866-498-7233 Email: Website:
Some say he is constantly ranting, raving and ?venting? about dryer vent cleaning. The Chicago Wizard vents: Dryer Vents and Ducts Your clothes dryer requires proper air-flow in order to do its job efficiently. The dryer vent and exhaust duct is responsible for removing heat, moisture and lint from your laundry as it dries. Hot moist lint that escapes the lint screen often ends up stuck to the sides of the dryer exhaust duct; though some will make it to the vent outdoors. Dryer vents and ducts are also responsible for removing gas by-products from your home; if you have a gas dryer, poor venting can result in carbon monoxide leaking into your home. Lint Build-up Restricts Air-flow Eventually, trapped lint will build up in the dryer duct, or inside the dryer near the motor, causing the dryer to work harder to do its job. The harder the dryer is working, the more you are spending on energy to operate the dryer, and the greater the chances are that the dryer will break down. Dryer vent cleaning helps to save energy and reduce the need for repair expenses as it prolongs the life of the dryer. When the dryer is taking more than one cycle to properly dry a load of clothes, chances are likely that the ducts are clogged with lint. Heat and moisture cannot escape the dryer drum. You may also notice that clothes are very hot when you remove them, or that the outside of the dryer is very hot. When lint is allowed to build up to the point of restricting air-flow it causes overheating which eventually leads to a fire. The lint is very combustible; therefore, fuel for a fire that will spread quickly. Properly Installed In addition to proper maintenance, a dryer duct and vent system must meet current safety standards. Too many people are still using the old plastic, vinyl or flexible foil type of venting for their dryers. These are no longer considered to be safe for several reasons. ?Vinyl or Plastic deteriorates, cracks and breaks ?The flexible foil type is easily crushed or bent, restricting air flow and trapping lint ?Excess venting material is often coiled or stuffed behind the dryer, trapping hot air, moisture and lint ?Use of incorrect venting materials can void the warranty on your dryer
These are just a few of the problems associated with an insufficient dryer duct system. The ideal venting is short, has few turns, is smooth inside and is made of semi-rigid metal. Mory Matias is the Chicago Wizard; owner/operator of Dryer Vent Wizard serving the Northshore Chicago area. Mory provides dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation services while he explains the importance of proper maintenance to his customers. For more fire safety and energy savings tips, visit http://www.dryerventwizard.com
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Dayne has sinced written about articles on various topics from Interview Questions, Franchise and Home Management. Dryer Vent Wizard is a nationwide company, Dryer Vent Wizard professionally inspects and cleans clothing dryers for homeowners and in commercially-owned buildings. Poorly maintained dryer vents cause fire hazards and cost substantially more to operate.At. Dayne's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.