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Aarons Air

Aarons Air

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I've posted on this topic before, but think it bares repeating. Fires in homes caused by lint buildup in dryer vents take lives every year. With my biz, i see firsthand all the fire hazards in peoples homes. Most of the time, the homeowner is unaware. I see disconnected/ broken vents in attics, blowing lint everywhere. Rusted vents in crawlspaces doing the same. I've taken multiple birds, and multiple nests out of a single vent. I've seen people build decks and put a ledger board right over a cap. And things roofers had to be stoned to do.
So inspect your homes vent, and clean it regularly. I recommend the brushing method, as opposed to moving air through it. https://www.bpihomeowner.org/blog/things-you-should-know-dryer-vents-can-be-fire-hazard
 
Aarons Air said:
I've posted on this topic before, but think it bares repeating. Fires in homes caused by lint buildup in dryer vents take lives every year. With my biz, i see firsthand all the fire hazards in peoples homes. Most of the time, the homeowner is unaware. I see disconnected/ broken vents in attics, blowing lint everywhere. Rusted vents in crawlspaces doing the same. I've taken multiple birds, and multiple nests out of a single vent. I've seen people build decks and put a ledger board right over a cap. And things roofers had to be stoned to do.
So inspect your homes vent, and clean it regularly. I recommend the brushing method, as opposed to moving air through it. https://www.bpihomeowner.org/blog/things-you-should-know-dryer-vents-can-be-fire-hazard
Click to expand...
How much does it cost to clean out a straight 40 foot dryer vent ( about)? Frankly I’ve never done it - are there companies that service these vents. Never really thought much about it.
 
GetX'd said:
How much does it cost to clean out a straight 40 foot dryer vent ( about)? Frankly I’ve never done it - are there companies that service these vents. Never really thought much about it.
Click to expand...
Air duct cleaning companies usually clean dryer vents as well. Though most only blow air through them, which is a poor way to clean. Dryer vent cleaning kits with fiberglass rods & a brush can be purchased at hardware type stores, lowes, home depot, etc, if your handy.
 
I got in the habit long ago - clean that **** out
 
When I rebuilt our laundry room, I plumbed in a direct duct to outside - using semi-rigid aluminum ducting. Only about 3 feet long to the inside wall...and at 6" diameter, I can easily get my arm inside the duct to remove excess lint that the dryer filter lets escape. Keeping the exterior mesh grille clean is another regular task.

Great advice @Aarons Air :thumbsup:
 
Our building code does not allow that flexible plastic hose that people want to use. It has to be metal. And most people don't know that the sections are required to be taped together, not screwed. The screws tend to catch lint and cause a buildup and clogs. That's another fire hazard..
 
When planning a new home or addition, make sure the dryer vent will be kept very short, and very simple. These days a builder or contractor will throw any fixture or appliance anywhere you want it, and make it work, so to speak, without any advice or consultation of manufacturers recommendations (Some of them now require 5" duct and high velocity terminations). I've seen them installed way out of code compliance, and very diffficult to maintain. No hose is best, short and sweet is also best. As Aarons Air has said, this kind of carefree attitude can cost you or your family a very great deal of grief. HTH Lefty71
 
Big Bad Dad said:
Our building code does not allow that flexible plastic hose that people want to use. It has to be metal. And most people don't know that the sections are required to be taped together, not screwed. The screws tend to catch lint and cause a buildup and clogs. That's another fire hazard..
Click to expand...
Exactly right !
 
In addition, dryer vents at the roof level or walls should have a damper, not a screen.
 
Look what i found today. Can you say, fire waiting to happen ?

20200121_100808.jpg 20200121_100949.jpg
 
From the article.
"Like Kim’s situation, your first hint that you need to check your vents is when your clothing doesn’t dry after a normal drying cycle. If you encounter any other issues, contact a professional right away, such as a BPI GoldStar Contractor or BPI Certified Professional, to inspect your venting."
I moved to 5,00 feet and replaced the hose, why does it take longer at 5K' then at sea level? I have my theories, what's yours?

Look out for the following signs of a clogged dryer vent

  • A musty odor is discovered in the clothing following the drying cycle
  • Clothes seem unusually hot to the touch
  • Excessive heat is noticed in the room in which the washer and dryer are operated
  • The dryer vent hood flap does not open properly when you use the dryer (this is the slitted vent opening to the exterior of your home)
  • Debris is noticed within the outside dryer vent opening
  • Large amounts of lint build-up in the lint trap during each cycle
  • Odor noticed from dryer sheets used during the drying cycle
I have none of these issues, so why does my drying take longer now?
 
69a100 said:
From the article.
"Like Kim’s situation, your first hint that you need to check your vents is when your clothing doesn’t dry after a normal drying cycle. If you encounter any other issues, contact a professional right away, such as a BPI GoldStar Contractor or BPI Certified Professional, to inspect your venting."
I moved to 5,00 feet and replaced the hose, why does it take longer at 5K' then at sea level? I have my theories, what's yours?

Look out for the following signs of a clogged dryer vent

  • A musty odor is discovered in the clothing following the drying cycle
  • Clothes seem unusually hot to the touch
  • Excessive heat is noticed in the room in which the washer and dryer are operated
  • The dryer vent hood flap does not open properly when you use the dryer (this is the slitted vent opening to the exterior of your home)
  • Debris is noticed within the outside dryer vent opening
  • Large amounts of lint build-up in the lint trap during each cycle
  • Odor noticed from dryer sheets used during the drying cycle
I have none of these issues, so why does my drying take longer now?
Click to expand...
Try doing a load with the vent disconnected. If it still takes too long, it may be lint buildup in the dryers blower wheel, or exit tube.
Also, make sure the dryer isnt pushed back against the wall, pinching off airflow through the hose.
 
great practices to get into

good warnings too :thumbsup:
 
Aarons Air said:
Air duct cleaning companies usually clean dryer vents as well. Though most only blow air through them, which is a poor way to clean. Dryer vent cleaning kits with fiberglass rods & a brush can be purchased at hardware type stores, lowes, home depot, etc, if your handy.
Click to expand...
Do mine annually $135.
 
69a100 said:
I have none of these issues, so why does my drying take longer now?
Click to expand...

Sometimes, this is a problem with the dryer itself. If it's an electric unit, there can be two dryer elements, normally used for different heat settings. If the clothes are taking forever (and the vent is clearly not an issue), then maybe it burned up one element so it always runs on "low" setting regardless of where you have the controls set. Gas units can have similar issues with staging as well, although not nearly as common. HTH, Lefty71
 
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