Have you noticed that your clothes are taking longer to dry? Lint builds up in your system and slows down the flow which rises the temperature and the possibility of fire. Excess lint builds up slowly and is generally unseen, so that you think tht emptying the trap is getting the job done when it really isn’t. You may not see the lint buildup but you experience the results as your dryer has to work harder to compensate for this reduction of airflow. Your utility bills can skyrocket as those thick towels you love to use take two cycles to dry thoroughly. This is not only wasteful, it puts added stress on your appliance. It can also be dangerous. Your dryer is the No. 1 cause of home fires.

In 1999 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPC) released the “Report on Electric and Gas Clothes Dryers.” In it, the USCPC determined that of the 15,000 fires studied in one year, electric dryers were over 2.5 times more likely to be the cause of the fire than gas dryers. Fires originated most frequently from two places: dryer venting and the lint trap. This is a silent danger and it can erupt with no one around to see it, such as when you turn the dryer on and head out for errands or to work.

Keep an eye on these symptoms:

Clothes that take longer to dry; clothes that don’t try fully; clothes that are hotter than normal at the end of the cycle; a very hot exterior to the dryer; an outside vent flap that opens very little for exhaust. If you see any of these signs, call us immediately.

Be clean and green and safe and cozy at home with our thorough look at your dryer and its venting system. We inspect and clean residential dryer vents. A thorough sweep includes searching for any issues that might interfere with optimal operation. A small investment here can save you big on utility bills.