Mold In Dryer
Sources of Mold in the Dryer Vent
Clogs - If your dryer vent is clogged, moisture can condense into pools of water in the dryer vent. It then mixes with excess lint, creating a maché that sticks to the vent walls. This not only clogs the vent further, but also creates perfect conditions for mold and mildew to grow. We now offer a mold control and elimination application. Add this service when you schedule your appointment on line at www.cleanmydryervent.org
Dryer Maintenance
Following regular maintenance will help your appliance run efficiently and safely. Ignoring regular dryer maintenance may pose a fire hazard. Failure to clean the dryer is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
Below are several dryer tips for properly caring for your dryer:
Ensure proper installation
Be sure to have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional. Check your manual to ensure that your electrical outlet is appropriate for your plugs. If you have a gas dryer, have it inspected by a professional to make sure the gas line and connection are working properly and don’t have leaks.
Clean the lint filter
Always clean the lint filter before drying each load of laundry. If you are drying a new item that creates a lot of lint, such as a bath towel or bath mat, consider drying it for half a cycle and then pause to clean out the lint filter before continuing to dry the item. Regularly check the dryer’s drum for lint accumulation.
The leading cause of clothes dryer fires is a failure to clean the dryer of dust, fiber and lint. Lint is highly combustible and can lead to reduced airflow, posing a fire hazard in clothes dryers.
Inspect the dryer vent
The dryer vent is located outside of your house. It’s a good idea to periodically check to make sure air is coming out of the vent while clothes are drying. If no air is coming out of the vent, turn off the dryer and inspect the vent for blockage. Accumulated lint, a bird’s nest or even small animals can block vents.
Consider installing a dryer vent seal to help ensure the vent is closed when the dryer is not in use.
Check the exhaust vent
Make sure the duct that runs from the back of your dryer to your wall and outside to your dryer vent isn’t clogged with lint or debris. If there is a blockage, you may have to remove the duct to clean it out. Consult with a professional before making any changes to your dryer’s exhaust duct.
Basic washer and dryer safety tips
Follow these basic safety tips when using your dryer.
Don’t overload.
Read and follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
Don’t run the dryer when you aren’t home or when you are sleeping.
Keep the entire area clean and free of clutter, boxes and other materials.
Don’t store items on the top of the washer and dryer.
Consult operating instructions prior to drying an item that has been soiled with chemicals such as gasoline, cooking oil or paint.
Taking care of your appliances will help them last longer and run safely. Use these home appliance safety tips for your other home appliances.
Contact us at 830-320-0773 to schedule your appointment today.
Dryer Not Working. Error Code
“My dryer isn’t drying my clothes in one cycle.” or “I have an error code on my dryer.”
In most cases, if the dryer is getting hot but the clothes are not drying in one cycle, the dryer vent system has blockage. Lint builds up over time and begins to block the dryer vent path. Connect with us and schedule an appointment so we can solve this problem for you at www.cleanmydryervent.org
Error codes are common when this happens. Some examples are d95, d80, d90, OD
In order to clear these dryer error codes you must have your dryer duct system cleaned from the dryer to the exit point on your home. The cost for this service is $75 from Patriot Dryer Vent Cleaning.
Birds Nest In Dryer Vent
While seemingly harmless, bird nests in dryer vents can cause poor dryer efficiency, human respiratory infections and dryer fires. In a three-year span within the last decade, dryer fires have resulted in $35 million in residential home property loss, according to The U.S. Fire Administration. Patriot Dryer Vent Cleaning San Antonio shares the following tips for homeowners on how to inspect and properly remove bird nests from the dryer vent.
Warning Signs:
Loss in Dryer Efficiency: A first sign of a bird’s nest in a dryer vent is that the dryer suddenly becomes less efficient, taking longer to dry clothes. The bird’s nest blocks the vent and traps moisture in the dryer, requiring more time to dry a load.
Droppings in Plain Sight: Birds leave droppings near their nests, and a key inspection step is to check for them just below the exterior portion of a dryer vent, outside of the home.
Debris around the Vent: If you see pine needles, hay, grass and other small debris inside the dryer vent or right near the opening, this is a sign of a bird nest.
Professional Process
There are many ways to properly clean a dryer vent. There is only one way to do it properly though. We use two specific industry grade commercial tools either separately or in conjunction with one another to ensue your dryer vent line is cleaned properly and efficiently.
A high speed router tool with a brush system is inserted in the the dryer vent either at the exit point or where the dryer meets the wall depending on the homes set up. At the same time or often separately, a high pressure reverse air flow device is used as well to blow all debit from the line.
Photos below represent the correct tools that we always use rather than the home improvement store version, also shown, that is often ineffective and more times than not, get stuck in the vent system.
Schedule today by using this link.
#gotlint
NOT Recommended
Roof Venting
For dryer efficiency and safety, the shortest and straightest ducting route is always best. Every turn increases friction loss (unless you use non-restrictive elbows). Air velocity reduction from friction loss promotes lint build up and makes the dryer work harder to completely dry each load. Length of run also reduces efficiency. The longer the run, the more friction loss is created which is why building code restricts total run length. Often, going straight up through the roof is the shortest route.
How to Prevent Clothes Dryer Fires
Very few people realize the danger of clothes dryer fires. However, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are an estimated annual 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and 10 injuries due to clothes dryer fires. Several hundred people a year are also subjected to carbon monoxide poisoning from improper dryer vent setups. The financial costs come to nearly $100,000,000 per year. In some cases faulty appliances are to blame, but many fires can be prevented with proper dryer venting.
How Clothes Dryer Fires Occurs
Lint accumulation and reduced airflow feed on each other to provide conditions ripe for a fire. Lint is a highly combustible material, which, interestingly enough, is one of the ingredients in a recipe for home-made fire starters. A number of dryer vent problems contribute to this. #gotlint
A growing problem
Traditionally, most clothes dryers were in the basement. However, nowadays many newer homes tend to have dryers located away from an outside wall in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and hall closets. These new locations mean dryers tend to be vented longer distances and vents are generally installed with sharp turns and bends to accommodate the structure of the home. As a result, dryer vents are harder to reach, and also create more places for lint to gather. The ideal solution is to have short, straight, dryer duct venting. However, a dryer vent booster, while not the ideal approach, can improve your dryer venting in cases where your venting is longer and/or has more bends than it should. In addition to creating a fire hazard, if the venting is too long and/or has two many bends, it will cause your dryer to take much longer than necessary to dry loads.
Inside the Dryer
Lint is the biggest culprit here. As you know from cleaning out your lint filter, dryers produce very large quantities of lint. Most people assume their lint traps catch all the lint, and that all they need to do is clean them out after each load. However, a significant amount of this lint is not caught by the lint trap and builds up inside the dryer-even on the heating element! If you are skeptical, try this experiment: pull out the lint trap and look underneath it- you may find large mounds of lint staring at you. Lint can build up on the heating element and in other places inside the dryer, causing it to overheat and possibly catch fire. As a rule, a fire starts from a spark in the machine. However, improper clothes dryer venting practices outside the dryer can play a key role in this process.
Outside the Dryer
There are many improper dryer vent practices which restrict airflow and lead to lint buildup, the two main preventable causes of clothes dryer fires. Some of the most common and important dryer vent mistakes are:
Dryer vents are too long and/or have too many bends, but don’t use a dryer duct booster, resulting in lint buildup. When it comes to dryer vents, shorter and straighter is better.
Use of flammable, flimsy plastic or foil duct extenders. Only metal vents should be used, which is what most manufacturers specify. Metal vents also resist crushing better than plastic and foil, which allows the air and lint to be carried out of the system. Reduced airflow from build-up or crushing can cause overheating and wear out the clothes and appliance faster. In fact, many state and local municipalities have placed requirements on new and remodeling projects to include all metal dryer venting.
Inadequate clearance space between dryer and wall. Many people create problems by putting their dryer right against the wall, crushing the venting material in the process. The cumulative effect of reduced airflow and the resulting lint build-up prevent the dryer from drying at the normal rate. This causes the high temperature limit safety switch to cycle on and off to control the heater. Most high temperature limit safety switches were not designed to continuously cycle on and off, so they fail over a period of time.
Failure to clean the dryer duct.
Your Dryer May be Failing If:
The clothes are taking an inordinately long period of time to dry, come out hotter than usual or if the vent hood flapper doesn’t open. Maintenance is needed in these cases.
Only You Can Prevent Clothes Dryer Fires
Proper Installation & Choice of Building Materials
Make sure the dryer duct is made of solid metallic material. Both vinyl and foil are combustible and spiral-wound surfaces tend to catch lint more readily.
The dryer duct should vent to the exterior and in no case should it vent to the attic or crawlspace. Avoid the use of inside heat recovery diverter valves or termination boxes, which do not comply with current standards.
Avoid kinking or crushing the dryer duct to make up for installation in tight quarters -this further restricts airflow. If you really want to save the extra space, the Dryerbox is a new invention that allows the dryer to be safely installed against the wall.
Minimize the length of the exhaust duct (maximum recommended lengths depend on a number of factors, such as number of bends, and vary by model-check with your manufacturer for their specifications). If this is not possible, you can install a dryer duct booster.
If at all possible, use 4-inch diameter vent pipe and exterior exhaust hoods that have openings of sixteen square inches or more, which offer the least resistance to air flow.
Don’t use screws to put your vent pipe together – the screw shafts inside the piping collect lint and cause additional friction.
Keep the Dryer Duct in Good Condition
Disconnect, clean and inspect the dryer duct run on a regular basis, or hire a professional company to clean the dryer duct. This will reduce the fire hazard, increase the dryer’s efficiency and increase its lifespan. In addition, you are less likely to experience water damage.
Keep Your Dryer as Lint-Free as Possible
By keeping your dryer clean, not only will you significantly reduce the fire hazard, you will also save money as your dryer will run more efficiently and last longer. To keep your dryer clean:
Use a lint brush or vacuum attachment to remove accumulated lint from under the lint trap and other accessible places on a periodic basis.
Every 1-3 years, depending upon usage, have the dryer taken apart and thoroughly cleaned out by a qualified service technician.
Clean the lint trap after each load.
Home Safety Dryer Vents
According to the United States Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association:
Clothes dryer fires account for over $238 million in losses every year.
Approximately 15,970 fires are started by clothes dryers each year.
These fires resulted in 13 deaths and 440 injuries.
In addition to the fire hazard, improper dryer vent setups can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
The leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires was failure to clean (32%), followed by unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction (22%). Eight percent were caused by some type of electrical failure or malfunction.
CALL US TO GET YOUR DRYER VENT CLEANED AND INSPECTED BY A PRO: 830-320-0773
Schedule on line at www.cleanmydryervent.org
Dryer Vent Fires Are Real
It all begins with an idea.
There’s a hidden fire hazard in almost every home. Removing lint from the dryer is only partially preventing a fire. The lint filter is only catching a small percentage of lint, the rest passes through directly into the dryer vent hose. Over time, lint can build up in the hose and catch fire. You must clean dryer vents annually.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration:
2,900 fires caused by dryers are reported every year
Each year they cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property loss
34% of dryer fires are caused by filing to clean them
Signs your dryer vent is clogged or improperly installed:
If you notice it takes longer than usual to dry clothes (this is actually costing you more money per load)
The outside of the dryer is hot to the touch
You smell something burning when the dryer is running
Tips for preventing dryer fires:
It’s recommended that you have your dryer vent hose cleaned at least once a year.
There are ways to clean the vent yourself, but it’s always recommended you have a professional take care of the cleaning every six months. (this runs around $100-$150)
Never leave home or go to sleep while your dryer is on.
Make sure the covering to the dryer vent outside opens when the dryer is on.
Inspect the vent hose behind the dryer, make sure it’s not damaged or crushed.
Buy dryers that use moisture sensors rather than ordinary thermostats to end the auto-dry cycle. Thermostats can allow the dryer to run longer than necessary.
Keep This On Your Spring Cleaning List
A clogged dryer vent can become a serious problem.
Dryer Vent Cleaning should be performed every year and can really depend on the size of the household. In a large family home, we recommend a yearly session. Whereas a single couple or a single person, may not need a dryer vent cleaning as often. A clogged dryer vent can cause damage to your dryer, your clothes and can start a fire in your home. It's that important to keep your dryer vents clean. Trying to clean the dryer vents yourself is not recommended as tools can get stuck and cause a bigger clog. So call us today and schedule a dryer vent cleaning.
Clothes Dryer Temperatures
Clothes Dryer Temperatures
Clothes Dryer Location / ConditionNormal Clothes Dryer Temperature Abnormal / Unsafe Clothes Dryer TemperatureComments / Source Air inlet to the clothes dryer & into dryer heating element
18 °C (64 °F) to 24 °C (75 °F)
Building indoor ambient temperature, conditioned space, comfortable temperatures for sedentary adults3Air temperature at an electric clothes dryer heater element120-200°C (250-400 °F) Varies by dryer heat source such as electric vs gas. (Marks, 2012) cited in (Bonaccorso 2012)1Air temperature entering the clothes dryer tumbler / drum80 °C (175 °F) (Marks, 2012) cited in (Bonaccorso 2012)Air temperature inside the clothes dryer drum / tumbler50-57 °C (125-135 °F)> 200 °C (392 °F)Some sources claim 65 °C (150 °F) - informal search 2017/07/17Air temperatures in the clothes dryer exhaust vent at the dryer50-57 °C (125-135 °F)> 200 °C (392 °F)(Marks, 2012) cited in (Bonaccorso 2012) 1Estimated clothes dryer exhaust vent surface temperature at interior surface of exterior wall45-55 °C (113-130 °F)> 200 °C (392 °F)Author's IR temperature measurements 1,2Estimated clothes dryer exhaust vent interior surface temperature at exterior wall vent outlet37-62°C (100-145 °F)> 200 °C (392 °F)
Author's IR temperature measurements 1,2
Dryer vents that pass through hot roof cavities may reach the elevated temperature at the high end of this range.
Pyrolysis temperature range 90 - 150 °C (200-300 °F)PYROLYSIS EXPLAINED (Kim 1994) in (Bonaccorso 2012) warns of pyrolysis hazards at clothes dryers. Maximum safe temperature inside a clothes dryer<= 200 °C (392 °F)> 200 °C (392 °F)232°C (450 °F) is the combustion point of paper - in a clothes dryer could initiate a lint or other fire "... no location inside the cabinet can achieve this temperature throughout the seven hours of performance testing" - (Bonaccorso 2012).
Dryer Flow Sensor Warning
Most dryers have a this built in safety feature. Does your dryer have an error code? If yours does, and this is displayed check your lint filter. If the lint screen in clear, you have a blocked or obstructed dryer vent line. Book your appointment at www.cleanmydryervent.org #dryerventcleaning #emergencywasherdryer #residentialwasherdryer #dryerductcleaning #dryerventcleaningservice #dryerventcleaning equipment #cleaningdryerventfrominside #exteriordryerventcleaning #outsidedryerventcleaning #dryercleaner #dryerventcleaningsystem #cleanmydryervent #bestdryerventcleaningcompany #veteranowned #gotlint #publicserviceannouncement #takecare #checkyourlinttrap #gotlint #dryerscanbedangerous #staysafe #safetyfirst #gotlint
My dryer isnt drying my clothes.
In most cases, if the dryer is getting hot but the clothes are not drying in one cycle, the dryer vent system has blockage. Lint builds up over time and begins to block the dryer vent path. Connect with us and schedule an appointment so we can solve this problem for you at www.cleanmydryervent.org
Why Are My Clothes Coming Out of The Dryer Wet?
So, what causes a dryer to lose its drying ability? There are a couple of different possible scenarios, one of which is a full or partial blockage in the exhaust duct. If a buildup of lint and debris accumulates in the exhaust duct, it will prevent the moist hot, humid air from escaping; thus, resulting in wet clothes. You can perform a quick visual inspection of the duct by unplugging your dryer and pulling it away from the wall. Use a flashlight to look down inside the dryer portion of the exhaust and the duct running through the wall to see if there’s any debris blocking it.
Longer dryer exhausts are more susceptible to blockages since the lint and debris is forced to travel over a longer period of time. If the dryer exhaust is just 3-4 feet, the chance of a blockage is fairly low. On the other hand, exhausts over 5 feet in length tend to have a high chance of lint blockages. Contact us and we will solve your problem. www.cleanmydryervent.org or call us at 830-320-0773
Why is my dryer not drying?
In most cases, if the dryer is getting hot but the clothes are not drying in one cycle, the dryer vent system has blockage. Lint builds up over time and begins to block the dryer vent path. Connect with us and schedule an appointment so we can solve this problem for you at www.cleanmydryervent.org
Dryer Vent Fires
It all begins with an idea.
There’s a hidden fire hazard in almost every home. Removing lint from the dryer is only partially preventing a fire. The lint filter is only catching a small percentage of lint, the rest passes through directly into the dryer vent hose. Over time, lint can build up in the hose and catch fire.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration:
2,900 fires caused by dryers are reported every year
Each year they cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property loss
34% of dryer fires are caused by filing to clean them
Signs your dryer vent is clogged or improperly installed:
If you notice it takes longer than usual to dry clothes (this is actually costing you more money per load)
The outside of the dryer is hot to the touch
You smell something burning when the dryer is running
Tips for preventing dryer fires:
It’s recommended that you have your dryer vent hose cleaned at least once a year.
There are ways to clean the vent yourself, but it’s always recommended you have a professional take care of the cleaning every six months. (this runs around $100-$150)
Never leave home or go to sleep while your dryer is on.
Make sure the covering to the dryer vent outside opens when the dryer is on.
Inspect the vent hose behind the dryer, make sure it’s not damaged or crushed.
Buy dryers that use moisture sensors rather than ordinary thermostats to end the auto-dry cycle. Thermostats can allow the dryer to run longer than necessary.