As a homeowner, you may not give much thought to your dryer’s potential for a fire. You’re not alone. Not so many people realize the inherent danger of dryers and their fire potential. But they happen at a higher rate than you may imagine. In some cases, it is due to a faulty dryer, but more often than not, these fires could have been prevented.
According to dryer repair technicians in San Diego County, a dryer fire is usually started because of a buildup of lint coupled with a reduction in airflow. Lint from a clothes dryer is extremely combustible. When you add this problem to new dryers that are often located inside a home away from outside ventilation, you have a recipe for disaster.
Your dryer can produce a great amount of lint. The majority of this is caught in the lint trap. However, a large amount of lint can build up inside the dryer ducts. It can even build up on the heating element itself. This buildup can cause a dryer to overheat and possibly catch fire.
San Diego County technicians have seen many instances of improper ventilation when making dryer repair calls. When vents aren’t properly installed or maintained, airflow is restricted. Dryer vents should be short and straight to the outside. Long vents with too many bends inhibit proper airflow and allow lint to become trapped. Often, technicians see plastic or foil, even flammable materials making up the venting material. Manufacturers specify metal vents.
There should be adequate clearance around the dryer as well. When a dryer is placed against a wall, the venting material can become crushed which will reduce proper airflow. The temperature safety switch may continue to switch on and off to compensate which can lead to failure of the switch.
To prevent the possibility of a dryer fire, make sure it was properly installed and vented. Check to see of the dryer duct is metal and not vinyl or foil. The dryer duct should vent to the outside of the home, not into an attic or crawlspace. The duct should be straight and not kinked or crushed.
Keep your dryer and ductwork as free of lint as possible. Vacuum or use a lint brush to get to any accumulated lint under the trap. Clean the lint trap after each load of laundry. Disconnect and clean the dryer duct often, or hire a professional dryer repair technician in San Diego County. These things will greatly reduce the risk of a dryer fire in your home.
Keeping your dryer lint free and conducting regular dryer vent cleaning are important ways to protect your home from the potential of dryer fires. If you are looking for a professional dryer repair technician in San Diego County, call the experts at San Diego Appliance Repair Company. We would be glad to conduct a full vent cleaning and diagnostic checkup to make sure your home is free from dryer fire risk.
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