Lint from Your Dryer Can Be Deadly

We all wash our clothing on a regular basis using modern-day technologies. Machinery may help us save time, but we must still monitor these sophisticated devices. Dryers speed up the process by allowing clothes to dry in large quantities rapidly, but the lint produced is a consequence of fabrics when they are dried. The lint screen of the dryer machine and the vent leading out of the house can get coated with these particles. Dryer lint might be a fire starter if it builds upon the lint screen.

The team at United Water Restoration Group Melbourne wants to offer you some hints on avoiding a lint fire. While some of these activities may appear ordinary, they are critical in preventing a disaster at your home.

Clean Out Your Lint! It’s Worth The Attention

A dryer is a fire starter that can grow into an imminent hazard, making it critical to avoid. Each year, 2900 home clothes dryer fires are reported in the United States, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. These blazes result in about 5 fatalities, 100 injuries, and more than $35 million in property damage.

Cleaning the external dryer vent may take a while out of your day, but it is well worth it. Most of these fires start in the winter months and are preventable if you clean out the dryer vents. Failure to clear out your dryer vents is partly to blame for 34% of these blazes. It’s very easy to prevent these sorts of fires if you follow the necessary precautions.

 

Make Sure You Use Your Dryer Appropriately

Every dryer has an easily accessible lint screen, but keep in mind to clean it after each usage. Keeping your clothes and appliance clean is a great preventative measure against fires. This should not be done on a monthly or weekly basis; instead, it must be completed after each cycle. Dryer lint builds up in the ductwork and restricts airflow, causing it to overheat. Drying this screen will make your dryer more efficient during its cycles. If you detect any damage to the filter, check it for tears and replace it if necessary.

There are several dangers that come with operating a dryer. When it comes to drying clothes, try not to overfill the dryer or leave it on when you’re not home. Place no plastics, foam, rubber, soggy fabrics, or any combustible materials in the dryer.

There are a number of stain removers on the market that include flammable chemicals, so you must first wash them out. Before drying clothes stained by chemicals such as gasoline, paint thinners, or cooking oil, it is recommended that they be washed twice to ensure safety.

You can always change the dryer’s temperature to match the current conditions. If a fire begins, dial 911 immediately. To assist with the issue, they will send the fire department to your site. Do not open the dryer because oxygen may spur the flames to grow faster.

 

Lint in Your Dryer: What to Look For

The following are common signs of a clogged dryer vent:

• A musty odor on clothes after a drying cycle
• Usually hot clothes
• Odor present on drying sheets
• Large amounts of lint build up on the dryer lint screen
• Debris present in the air when opening the dryer

 

How to Clean Your Dryer Vents

A clogged exhaust hose is an ideal environment for dryer lint to start a fire. Cleaning the exhaust line might be difficult, but it can be done. Disconnecting the hose from the dryer and the wall exhaust port is usually the first step. All three regions – including the dryer connection, wall connection, and outside port should be vacuumed. If you have access to a clean toilet brush, use it to sweep all of the dust into the hose after cleaning it thoroughly. You can then vacuum up all of the mess that formed on the ground as a result of this operation.

Connecting a long, flexible brush head to a screwdriver is another technique that experts employ. They may easily turn the brush and clean the tube’s interior while removing all of the dust. As long as your exhaust hose is cleaned on a regular basis, you’ll be fine. This is by far the most effective method for avoiding a dryer lint fire.

 

We’re Here to Assist You if a Fire Starts

Remember to check your dryer’s exhaust hose for signs of excessive lint build-up on a regular basis. After each dry cycle, the lint trap can be cleaned easily. This will assist to keep large amounts of lint from entering the exhaust vent.

Local appliance repairmen or experts can effectively remove dryer lint from the hose. Our firm is available to help with any fire damage recovery needs in the event of a fire. Smoke and soot removal are things that our specialists are familiar with.

These fires can be avoided, but we’re here for you at (321) 348-4639 if something goes wrong. Before it’s too late, protect your property from a fire. When you need us the most, we’re here for you!

Try out our related blog on ways to prevent your washer from leaking!