According to Wayne Herr of VentSmart Dryer Vent Cleaning, we get calls every day of someone who has gotten to the point they experience a burning smell. People have no Idea how close they came to having a dryer vent fire.
Some of the Warning Signs:
- laundry takes much longer than normal over 55 minutes
- The outside of your dryer feels hot to the tough
- Your laundry feels hotter than normal
- You find less lint than normal on the filter, indicating it might remain on your clothing
- You find excess lint in back of the dryer
- Your clothing feels damp or has a musty smell after drying
- Your dryer shuts off early by itself
- The outdoors flap on the exhaust vent seems partially closed or not opening at all
- You find dryer lint on the exhaust vent or all over the back of the dryer
Preventing a Fire:
- Clean the lint screen after EVERY load
- Do not run your dryer while you are asleep or away from your home
- Do not run your dryer without a lint filter
- Avoid drying materials such as rubber, plastic, or foam
- Keep the lint filter and the vent clean and clear of lint and any other obstructions
- Do not dry rags or towels used to clean up chemicals, gasoline, or oil
- Keep the area around the dryer free of boxes, newspapers, or anything else flammable
- Conduct periodic inspections and cleaning of the duct hose and vent, ensuring they remain free
- of all obstructions and that airflow is not restricted
- Have your dryer professionally cleaned a minimum of once a year
About the author: Wayne Herr is the founder of VentSmart Dryer Vent Cleaning of Tampa Bay Florida for more information about dryer vent cleaning see www.safedryervent.com