Have you checked your dryer lately? No, it probably hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s right there where you saw it last, spinning and tumbling and drying your clothes, towels, coats and blankets, and even shoes. Your dryer is indispensable and most people wouldn’t want to live without one. However, there could also be a hidden danger lurking in your dryer. One that may have never crossed your mind: a dryer vent fire.
Did you know that dryer vent fires are actually rather common, especially this time of year when people use, and wash, much heavier clothing, sheets and coats a lot more often. All that extra lint build up can be a real threat to your home and safety. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission there are more than 15,000 dryer vent fires every year.
So how does it happen? Thanks to all that extra lint, your dryer vent gets clogged. When the lint clogs the vent the airflow to the dryer is inhibited, which prevents the dryer exhaust gases from getting outside. This creates a serious fire hazard. One of the most obvious signs to look for is clothing that isn’t drying all the way with just one cycle.
So, if you haven’t had your dryer vent cleaned in a while, or you’re not sure it’s ever been cleaned, then don’t wait any longer. Contact Better Air Northwest today to get your vent clean. In Portland call 503-208-8351 and in Vancouver call 360-852-6212. You can also reach us online by clicking here.