Dryer Vent Cleaning Arlington Heights, Illinois

Dryer Vent Cleaning: Fire Prevention Tips from the Wizard of Arlington Heights

2009-09-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

Have you ever given any thought as to the service your clothes dryer is providing? Imagine the heat required to dry your clothes. Imagine the heat produced by a fire! Clothes dryers are often placed in confined spaces where fires can build and spread quickly.

Also confined is the lint that builds up in the dryer vent system, no matter how efficiently is it working. Your dryer vent system takes heat, moisture and lint from the clothes dryer to the vent outside, but some of the moist lint will stick to the sides of the dryer ducts, where it forms a paste and dries. As more lint sticks to this dried paste, the system becomes clogged, reducing air flow and eventually igniting. A dryer fire can be most devastating as it burns very hot and spreads quickly.

So, your dryer vent system is clean and free of lint clogs, but the dryer is still taking too long to dry a load of laundry. Clothes feel very hot when you remove them from the dryer. What can be the problem? Something you may not have thought of.

A few days after dryer vent cleaning service was performed, it snowed…a lot! Snow has drifted against the outside of your home and blocked the dryer vent! Unaware of the problem, you continue using the dryer; as heat tries to escape, it melts the snow a little, then as it freezes, your vent is frozen shut, making it even more difficult for heat to escape.

Freak accidents cannot be anticipated; that is why they are called freak accidents! Always check the vent outside to be sure it is not obstructed. Dryer vents should be a few feet off the ground, but drifting snow can block them. When your dryer is running, look outside to be sure you see steam coming out of your dryer vent and that it is opening while the dryer is running and closing when the dryer stops.

Another cause of a clogged vent could be small animals, or birds that are attracted to the warm area. They crawl inside and build a nest. Check your outside vent often to be sure it is functioning properly and not letting unwelcome critters into your home.

Appliance maintenance not only keeps appliances in working order to avoid wear and tear and repair bills, it also helps in keeping appliances running efficiently to reduce energy costs and safely to prevent a fire. Professional dryer vent cleaning is recommended at least once a year, to be sure your dryer vent system is properly maintained and that it meets current safety standards.

Mory Matias is the owner of Dryer Vent Wizard in Chicago, Illinois. Dryer vents are Mory’s specialty; he is an expert who inspects, cleans, repairs and installs dryer vent systems while educating consumers on dryer fire prevention and energy savings

The Chicago Wizard Rants, Raves and "Vents" about Dryer Vent Cleaning in Arlington Heights

2009-05-02T08:31:00.000-07:00

There is a man on a mission to prevent clothes dryer fires in Chicago. He is a dryer vent cleaning and dryer exhaust specialist who is concerned with the safety of consumers and business owners in his community. Some say he is constantly ranting, raving and “venting” about dryer vent cleaning. The Chicago Wizard vents:

Dryer Vents and Ducts

Your clothes dryer requires proper air-flow in order to do its job efficiently. The dryer vent and exhaust duct is responsible for removing heat, moisture and lint from your laundry as it dries. Hot moist lint that escapes the lint screen often ends up stuck to the sides of the dryer exhaust duct; though some will make it to the vent outdoors.

Dryer vents and ducts are also responsible for removing gas by-products from your home; if you have a gas dryer, poor venting can result in carbon monoxide leaking into your home.

Lint Build-up Restricts Air-flow

Eventually, trapped lint will build up in the dryer duct, or inside the dryer near the motor, causing the dryer to work harder to do its job. The harder the dryer is working, the more you are spending on energy to operate the dryer, and the greater the chances are that the dryer will break down. Dryer vent cleaning helps to save energy and reduce the need for repair expenses as it prolongs the life of the dryer.

When the dryer is taking more than one cycle to properly dry a load of clothes, chances are likely that the ducts are clogged with lint. Heat and moisture cannot escape the dryer drum. You may also notice that clothes are very hot when you remove them, or that the outside of the dryer is very hot.

When lint is allowed to build up to the point of restricting air-flow it causes overheating which eventually leads to a fire. The lint is very combustible; therefore, fuel for a fire that will spread quickly.

Properly Installed

In addition to proper maintenance, a dryer duct and vent system must meet current safety standards. Too many people are still using the old plastic, vinyl or flexible foil type of venting for their dryers. These are no longer considered to be safe for several reasons.

Vinyl or Plastic deteriorates, cracks and breaks
The flexible foil type is easily crushed or bent, restricting air flow and trapping lint
Excess venting material is often coiled or stuffed behind the dryer, trapping hot air, moisture and lint

Use of incorrect venting materials can void the warranty on your dryer

These are just a few of the problems associated with an insufficient dryer duct system. The ideal venting is short, has few turns, is smooth inside and is made of semi-rigid metal.

Mory Matias is the Chicago Wizard; owner/operator of Dryer Vent Wizard serving the Northshore Chicago area. Mory provides dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation services while he explains the importance of proper maintenance to his customers.

Dryer Vent Cleaning: Energy Savings tips from Wizard of Arlington Heights

2009-04-20T16:22:00.000-07:00

Over 15,000 fires, caused by clothes dryers, are reported annually; most of these dryer fires are due to failure to clean the dryer duct and venting system. When lint is allowed to accumulate in the dryer ducts, air flow is restricted, causing overheating and making the dryer work harder to perform its job. Proper maintenance of the dryer vent system will greatly reduce the risk of fire and help to save on energy bills.

Here are some dryer vent maintenance tips:

Check the lint trap before each load; clean it after each load

Wash the lint screen with warm, soapy water, every month or two, to remove residue build-up caused by dryer sheets

Do not dry fabrics soaked in combustible substances, even if they have been washed; line drying is recommended

Be sure any flammable items or substances are not stored near the dryer

Have professional dryer vent cleaning done at least once a year

Have a dryer vent specialist inspect your system to be sure it is up to state, local and manufacturer’s codes.

Use metal venting material, not plastic or vinyl

Check the outside vent often to be sure it is not blocked or damaged

Following these guidelines will ensure safety from a dryer fire and help to save on energy costs. When a clothes dryer runs efficiently, clothes dry quicker; therefore, the dryer is not overworking and consuming extra energy. Proper maintenance also helps to increase the life of your clothes dryer and prevents breakdowns.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Tips for Arlington Heights Residents

2009-04-20T16:21:00.000-07:00

Dryer Vent Cleaning and Maintenance Prevents Fires in Arlington Heights, Illinois

With over 15,000 clothes dryer fires occurring each year, causing deaths, injuries and loss of homes, it is important that we work to increase public awareness of preventing clothes dryer fires. Most of the reported fires were due to improper dryer vent cleaning and maintenance.

Dryer Vent Cleaning and Maintenance Tips for Arlington Heights Residents

It is recommended that all dryer vent systems be inspected by a dryer vent professional to ensure that they are up to code and working safely and efficiently.

It is also most crucial that everyone who uses a clothes dryer understand proper maintenance between professional visits. Here are some useful tips for maintaining your dryer vent system:

· Keep the lint screen clean, removing the lint after every load
· Wash lint screens monthly with soap and water to prevent residue buildup caused by dryer softener sheets
· Do not use your dryer for fabrics covered in combustible substances
· Store flammable items far away from your dryer
· Have your dryer professionally inspected and cleaned annually
· Make sure the dryer vent system is up to code according to city, state, and manufacturer standards
· Use only semi-rigid or solid metal material for venting systems
· Frequently check outside vent cover for signs of blockage, freezing, or damage
· Be sure to have dryer vents cleaned seasonally

Dryer Vent Cleaning Wizard of Arlington Heights Neighborhoods

Dryer Vent Wizard will do a thorough inspection of your dryer vent system to be sure it is made of proper construction and that it is properly installed. They will do the necessary corrections to be sure that it meets current UL safety standards.

Dryer Vent Wizard provides dryer vent cleaning, repair, maintenance, installation, and dryer vent systems inspections for residential and commercial buildings. They strive to educate consumers on dryer vent cleaning and maintenance for fire prevention.

More Fire Safety Tips for Arlington Heights area Homes and Businesses

Here are some more tips to enhance the safety of your family, home or business:

· Maintain working fire extinguishers, including one designed for use in the laundry area
· Be sure to test fire alarms, replacing batteries frequently
· Store flammable items away from all appliances
· Keep up with professional maintenance on all appliances
· Develop a fire safety and emergency fire-escape plan for your household.

Besides fire safety and prevention, proper maintenance insures your clothes dryer will operate more efficiently, and cost less to operate, saving on energy costs. Dryer Vent Wizard has a policy that all technicians help educate their customers. Their job is not complete until the customer understands the function of their dryer vent system and how they can help maintain it between annual professional visits.

Please watch this video provided by Dryer Vent Wizard of Arlington Heights, Il

Dryer Vent Wizard of Chicago Ill provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair, dryer vent installation, dryer vent inspections and all dryer vent services for homes and businesses in North Side Chicago and North Shore Suburbs, Cook and Lake Counties, Arlington Heights, Chicago, Glenview, Evanston, Elmhurst, Cicero, Oak Lawn, Oak Forest, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Schaumburg, Wilmette, Wadsworth, Lake Villa, Deerfield, Gurnee, Grayslake, Antioch, Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Round Lake, Fox Lake, Zion and neighboring cities and communities.