Regular dryer vent cleaning can prevent house fires by removing the lint buildup that causes overheating and ignition. Thousands of residential fires occur each year because clogged vents trap heat inside dryers, creating a dangerous fire hazard that spreads rapidly. Cleaning the entire venting system at least once a year, replacing outdated vinyl hoses with aluminum ones, and clearing the lint screen after every load are simple yet crucial steps to protect your home. This article explains how to clean your dryer vents properly, why certain materials are unsafe, and how tools like Lint Alert and RepairClinic’s DIY resources can make home maintenance easier and safer.
1. Clean out dryer venting at least once per year
A venting system should be cleaned out from inside of the dryer to the outside vent cap at least once per year. Professionals can be hired for this or homeowners can purchase a long brush or cleaning kit with instructional DVD to do it on their own and save money. RepairClinic also recommends Lint Alert, which monitors for lint build-up and blockage in gas dryers and alerts homeowners if there is a fire risk.
Homeowners should pay attention to drying time. If it’s taking longer for clothes to dry, it’s likely that lint is clogging the venting system. Homeowners should clean it out as soon as possible. Waiting to do this will threaten safety.
2. White vinyl venting should be replaced immediately with an aluminum equivalent.
White vinyl no longer meets national fire code standards in the U.S., as it is considered highly flammable. RepairClinic sells semi-rigid aluminum venting.
3. Clean out your dryer’s lint screen after every load.
Dryer lint screens should be cleaned out after every load. For extra precaution, homeowners can use a bristled long brush to remove stubborn pieces of lint and pieces that collect in the screen’s housing. A screen with tears should be replaced immediately. This RepairClinic video shares additional tips about dryer maintenance.
Last month, RepairClinic unveiled its advanced online Repair Help and troubleshooting system that empowers do-it-yourselfers to fix common problems associated with major home appliances and outdoor power equipment. Do-it-yourselfers can enter a model number to choose from a list of common symptoms for that particular model, troubleshoot and watch expertly-produced videos to learn the most likely causes and conditions and purchase the correct, recommended part.
RepairClinic.com stocks more than one million parts and accessories for 150 brands of washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, snow blowers, leaf blowers, edgers and many other products.
Since 1999, the company has served more than 2,800,000 customers including homeowners, first-time and beginner DIYers, advanced DIYers, appliance repair professionals, small engine repair shops and landscaping and lawn care business owners.
RepairClinic orders are backed by a 365 Days. Period.™ return policy that enables customers to return any part for any reason for replacement or refund within one year of ordering; this covers all parts, including electrical and special order parts. Of the more than one million parts available on the website, 95 percent of parts ordered are in stock and guaranteed to ship the same business day.
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RepairClinic.com® makes fixing things easy for millions of people. Founded in 1999, it’s North America’s most popular, trusted online store with replacement parts for major household appliances and outdoor power equipment. Free repair resources including 700 how-to videos empower people to fix their own appliances and outdoor power equipment. One million parts for 150 brands are stocked at its 86,000-square-foot facility in Canton, Michigan. Do-it-yourselfers also appreciate its generous, no-hassle 365 Days. Period.™ return policy. In-stock parts are guaranteed to ship the same business day. Visit RepairClinic.com for more information. Media Contact Jody Lamb, Public Relations Manager, is available at JLamb [at] RepairClinic.com or 734-495-3079 x 211.