Causes of Dryer Vent Fires and How to Avoid Them

In a report by the U.S. Fire Administration, it’s estimated that almost 3,000 household fires are caused by dryer vents every year. This is the number one reason why proper maintenance should always be part of your home care routine.

Dryer vent fires are caused by the lint buildup within your ducts. For the most part, lint from your clothes are caught by your air filters and the lint trap in the dryer itself. However, some lint can still pass through and accumulate in your vents and ducts. 

Lint Buildup

It’s not always clear when you need to call your local cleaning services to handle lint buildup. There are some signs you should always keep an eye out for because they can tell you that your ducts are getting too saturated with leftover lint.

• The performance of your dryer will gradually drop, and you’ll notice clothes now take longer to dry completely.

• You’ll also feel the clothes are a lot warmer than usual when they come out of the dryer.

• The dryer itself overheats during normal operation.

• The vent flappers outdoors aren’t moving much, which means there’s less air coming out of them.

• The laundry room is humid, and there’s a constant burnt smell.

Resolving Lint Problems

The best way to fully and safely avoid any dryer vent fire is with the help of your local chimney sweep. While lint traps and filters are great, the buildup can still reach unhealthy levels over time, and only a professional can make sure that it is completely clean. You can also avoid it altogether by cleaning out the lint trap filter after every load of laundry you dry.

At Chimney Doctors, we can help you keep your dryer vent safe and lint-free. Call us today at (518) 882-5009, or fill out our contact form to schedule a cleanup. We serve homeowners in Saratoga Springs and all surrounding areas.