Tulsa Dryer Vent Cleaning Services

Tulsa Dryer Vent Cleaning Services is educating home owners of the need to clean their dryer vents to prevent a lint build up fire.  Most home owners have no idea that cleaning out their dryer vent needs to be done each year.  

Most dryer vent fires start with a buildup of lint, which blocks the flow of air and ignites when it becomes too hot.

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) regarding residential building clothes dryer fires. Between the years 2002-2004, an annual average of 12,700 clothes dryer fires occurred in residential buildings. These fires were responsible for an estimated 15 civilian fire deaths, 300 civilian fire injuries, and $88 million in property loss each year

Most often, poor venting causes the problem. As most people prefer to keep their dryer pushed as close to the wall as possible, this leaves little room for the pipe to come out and turn. Most people crush that pipe, which creates a trap for lint to collect, in an effort to get the dryer closer to the wall.

Also, dryer venting tends to sag, if it is not guided through the rafters with rigid ducting. The curves will stop the lint from blowing out. Lint becomes trapped in the ribs of ducting, creating pockets of potentially flammable debris. This creates an even more extreme problem when the heavy winds are blowing. Debris, such as tree bark can become lodged inside, mixing with the lint, and creating an easily ignitable pile of debris.

The easiest solution: clean your dryer vents regularly or have them professionally cleaned. Make sure that your dryer is operating properly. Each time that you begin a new load of clothes, you should make sure that the filter has been cleaned; also, check the outside exhaust to see that air is escaping normally. If there are any signs that your dryer is hotter than normal, your temperature control thermostat might need servicing.
In 1997, according to the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission, there were 16,800 residential fires reported and responded to by fire departments where the source of the fire was the clothes dryer or vent. These fires caused $97.3 million in damage, 430 civilian injuries, and 30 civilian deaths.

Since most new homes are now venting dryers through the walls and out to the roof it more important now than ever to have your dryer vent cleaned once a year.  Education is the key to keeping families safe and to prevent fires caused by lint build up.


To help Prevent Dryer Vent Fires:  

 
Clean the lint screen/filter before or after drying each load of clothes. If clothing is still damp at the end of a typical drying cycle or drying requires longer times than normal, this may be a sign that the lint screen or the exhaust duct is blocked.


Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically. Check the outside dryer vent while the dryer is operating to make sure exhaust air is escaping. If it is not, the vent or the exhaust duct may be blocked. To remove a blockage in the exhaust path, it may be necessary to disconnect the exhaust duct from the dryer. Remember to reconnect the ducting to the dryer and outside vent before using the dryer again.


Clean behind the dryer, where lint can build up. Have a qualified service person clean the interior of the dryer chassis periodically to minimize the amount of lint accumulation. Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of clutter.