Dryers are extremely useful appliances, especially in Florida, where daily rain showers in the spring and summer make drying laundry on a line challenging. It’s important to take proper care and precautions with your dryer, though–each year, there are more than 15,000 house fires caused by dryers, resulting in about $190 million in property loss. In this article, we learn about protecting your home and family from dryer fires.
First, what causes a dryer fire to happen?
Lint from clothes is highly flammable–in fact, many people save it and use it as kindling for fire pits or camping trips. Dryers need to be cleaned regularly; failure to do so is the most common cause of dryer fires. The lint trap needs to be emptied between every use, as it can get very full after one load. However, the trap is not the only place where lint and other dust collect. Pieces that don’t make it into the lint trap can get caught in your dryer’s heating element and build up in the exhaust vent over time.
Preventing Dryer Fires
Clean out the lint: The lint trap, heating element, and exhaust vent all need to be cleaned out so that the lint that collects inside doesn’t catch fire. You will need to disconnect your dryer and use a vacuum and brushes on flexible piping that you can stick into the vent and gather lint that has built up inside.
Check the manufacturer’s recommendations: When installing your dryer, pay close attention to the instructions provided in the manufacturer’s manual. Incorrect installation can cause overheating or electrical fires.
Store combustible materials away from the dryer: Cleaning supplies, fabric, and other flammable items should not be stored close to the dryer. Sweep regularly around and underneath the dryer to get rid of dust buildup; remove any items that may have fallen into the small spaces between the dryer and wall or floor.
Choose the right duct: It is always best for your exhaust ducts to be as straight as possible to prevent lint buildup. Have it run straight from the dryer vent to the outside. Ideally, the length of the pipe will be minimized as much as possible. When installing a new vent, opt for metal sheeting if you can. This material is rigid and smooth, making it easy to clean and unlikely to gather lint. Flexible foil ducts are common and less expensive, but they tend to sag over time which creates a dip in which lint accumulates.
Install a vent fan: In cases where your duct has to be longer or more curved than is ideal, a professional electrician can install a dryer duct fan. These increase the air flow power through the duct and can help significantly to push lint through the duct and out the vent.
Pay attention to how your clothes feel: After going through the dryer, how do your clothes feel? If they are still damp or are hotter than they should be, it could be that your dryer is experiencing issues. Check for smells of burning or any other signs that it is working overtime. If you have any suspicions of an issue, contact a trusted electrical professional to diagnose the problem.
Promise Electric employs a team of master electricians experienced in all types of electrical projects. Whether you are a residential homeowner or a commercial property manager, you can trust our professionals to get the job done right. Protect your home and property by calling Promise Electric today.
