According to the U.S. Fire Administration (Division of U.S. Department of Homeland Security), clothes dryers were involved in an estimated 15,600 U.S. structure fires, fifteen deaths, 400 injuries, and $99 million in direct property damage, annually, between 2002-2004.
The leading factor in these residential dryer vent fires were “Failure to clean the dryer vent”.
A dryer works by forcing hot dry air through a turning drum. The combination of tumbling clothes and the rapid replacement of hot dry air dries the clothes. Lint and moisture are biproducts of this process and are pulled from the drum by fan motor and then pushed through the remaining exhaust conduit. The exhaust conduit is comprised of the flex transition hose found immediately behind your dryer, the 4″ rigid galvanized pipe and elbow fittings found within the wall framing, and the vent duct termination found outside the house.
Bottom Line: while the majority of the lint is trapped by the dryer’s lint filter, a small portion escapes past the filter and is suspended in the moist heated exhaust air. Lint buildup in the dryer vent reduces air flow and accelerates more lint buildup. Lint blow-back into the appliance is the result and the ultimate ignition concern. Dryer fires can occur within the actual appliance or within the duct pipe. They can smolder for hours or be accelerated by the oxygen rich air that is provided by an operating dryer.
Regular inspections and maintenance of the dryer exhaust is highly recommended by all dryer manufacturers.
About ABC Cleaning, Inc. of Orlando, FL
Serving Central Florida since 1992, ABC Cleaning, Inc. has been the acknowledged leader in air duct cleaning, chimney cleaning and dryer vent cleaning. We’re NADCA certified, we consistently invest in and have the most modern equipment and utilize the latest technology available with the best-trained service technicians in all of Orlando. If you need help deciding whether to replace or repair faulty ducts, please contact us at ABC. We provide quality HVAC service throughout Orlando and the surrounding communities. Please give us a call today at (407) 381-2120. We are here to help!
