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Dryer Vent Installation Tips from the Chicago Wizard

2009-11-26T09:06:00.000-08:00

Dryer Vent Installation – What does your dryer vent look like? Have you ever looked at it or even given it a thought? Is it the flexible foil type that reminds of something out of a science fiction movie about beings from outer space? Or is it the vinyl or plastic type?

The problem with the flexible foil or corrugated material is that it slows air flow from the dryer. The corrugated type tends to accumulate more lint, allowing build-up and airflow blockage which could lead to a dryer fire.

Plastic and vinyl vents are also dangerous. They crack and deteriorate, allowing dryer exhaust to leak into your home. They also tend to sag, especially when lint build-up is weighing them down.

These types of dryer vent systems are no longer acceptable; they do not meet current safety standards. Replace your dryer vent system with a smooth-wall or aluminum dryer vent which directs air outside much faster. Proper air flow speeds up drying time to reduce utility bills. Upgrading your dryer vent system might take a few hours, but will be well worth the effort.

Be sure to use rigid metal or aluminum tubing. Join pieces with foil tape – Do not use duct tape; it is combustible. Do not use screws that protrude to the inside where lint will catch. Run the tubing so the route from the back of the dryer to the vent outside is as short and straight as possible.

Longer runs with sharp turns tend to slow air flow, causing your dryer to labor harder as it does its job. Make sure pieces are securely joined so dryer exhaust is not leaking into your home, especially if you have a gas dryer. This could be a carbon monoxide threat.

Even the best dryer vent system, professionally installed will require annual dryer vent cleaning to remove lint build-up and ensure your dryer is operating safely and efficiently.

Mory Matias owns Dryer Vent Wizard in Chicago, specializing in all dryer vent exhaust issues. Mory provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair and dryer vent installation for homes and businesses in North Side Chicago and North Shore Suburbs, Cook and Lake Counties, Evanston, Wilmette, Glenview, Deerfield, Gurnee, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire and neighboring cities and communities.

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Dryer Vent Cleaning – The Wizard of Chicago is all for Teaching the Children

2009-10-30T06:59:00.000-07:00

Dryer vent cleaning is a popular topic, among others, during the month of October. This is when we honor National Fire Prevention Month; it is the time of year when the firemen visit the children at school to educate them about home fire prevention.

I’ve read some articles where children put good use to the lessons they learned when they were involved in a home fire. One particular story I remember involved two young girls who helped their grandmother escape safely when her home was on fire. This happened the very day the local fire department visited their school so they knew just what to do.

This story inspires me to suggest adding dryer vent cleaning and maintenance to the children’s fire safety education. Since they obviously listen pretty well when this type of material is presented to them, and some know how to use the clothes dryer, it is important to teach them about dryer lint.

I think children listen to figures of authority, like the firemen visiting their school, better than they do their parents. So, when mom says, “clean the lint screen,” how many do you think really listen? Mom probably doesn’t explain why. If she does, it probably isn’t as much fun to listen to as when the firemen are doing their presentation.

Children often come home and tell their parents what they learned in school. Sometimes relaying what they leaned in school inspires a change in behavior, for example, when they tell mom to quit smoking or dad to quit drinking because it’s bad for their health. Maybe they will remind mom to have the dryer vent cleaned when they see her using the clothes dryer during National Fire Prevention Month, especially if they learn about it from the exciting visit from the firemen.

Mory Matias owns Dryer Vent Wizard, a company who specializes in all dryer exhaust issues and educating consumers about dryer fire prevention. Anyone who owns a clothes dryer needs to be aware of the importance of dryer vent cleaning and proper maintenance to prevent dryer fires.

Mory Matias owns Dryer Vent Wizard, providing dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair and dryer vent installation for homes and businesses in North Side Chicago and North Shore Suburbs, Cook and Lake Counties, Evanston, Wilmette, Glenview, Deerfield, Gurnee, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire and neighboring cities and communities.

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Dryer Vent Installation Advice from the Wizard of Chicago, Illinois

2009-10-30T06:53:00.000-07:00

Dryer vent installation requires understanding the purpose and function of your dryer vent system. Forced heat produced by natural gas or electricity is blown on your laundry as it tumbles in your dryer. This moist heat must escape through the dryer exhaust ducts to the dryer vent outdoors.

An improperly installed dryer vent system can restrict airflow and cause your dryer to labor excessively as it does its job. Here are some tips from a dryer vent installation specialist.

Dryer Vent Installation Tips from the Wizard of Chicago, Illinois

The dryer vent pipe should be made of rigid or semi-rigid material about 4 inches in diameter. The old flexible foil or vinyl tubing do not meet current dryer vent installation safety codes.

Dryer lint will build up in the dryer exhaust duct over time. To reduce lint build-up, the dryer duct should be very smooth inside. Pieces of ductwork should be connected with foil tape, not screws that protrude to the inside which can catch and trap lint.

By law, all clothes dryers must be vented to the outdoors. If you have a gas dryer, the dryer vent system is responsible for removing gas by-products, like carbon monoxide, from your home.

The dryer vent tube should be installed with as few turns as possible and the shorter the run, the better. The longer the dryer duct, the harder the dryer works to force the hot air to the vent outside.

Use straps to support the duct so that there are no low points for lint to collect and build up. Use a level to set horizontal sections with a slight fall to prevent moisture from collecting.

Dryer Vent Installation in New Homes in Chicago, Illinois

Newer homes are built with convenience for the homeowner in mind; unfortunately, not enough consideration was given to dryer vent safety and efficiency. The laundry area is now located near the center of the home, upstairs between bedrooms where most dirty laundry originates. Now the distance from the dryer to the vent outside is considerably longer. Proper dryer vent installation is most critical for this type of system.

It is more difficult to push air through a longer vent because the air inside has weight and volume. The average clothes dryer can handle venting through about 20 feet of venting pipe before having any difficulty. The motor lacks the strength needed to push the air much further as the weight increases and the flow slows down.

When the air flow is too slow moisture is allowed to accumulate in the venting. When the dryer ducts are moist, lint will stick and accumulate, building up and restricting air flow.

When lint is allowed too build up and block the air duct the system overheats. The normal drum temperature of 175 degrees can quickly increase to 300 degrees or higher, eventually becoming hot enough to ignite.

Dryer Vent Installation Done Right Prevents Problems in Chicago, IL

Proper dryer vent installation and following up with annual dryer vent cleaning will save you from many costly problems down the road, including:

• Up to $300 per year in additional utility expenses due to reduced air-flow and longer drying time
• Expensive dryer repair services due to overworked dryer
• Mold and mildew damage to your home; contaminating the air you breathe
• Carbon monoxide poisoning due to improper venting of a gas appliance
• Dryer fire, causing extensive home damage, loss of home, loss of lives

Are you sure your dryer vent system is properly installed? If you have any doubts, you need to call a dryer vent installation specialist for a complete inspection. The fee for this type of service quickly pays for itself as it eliminates all the problems listed above.

Mory Matias owns Dryer Vent Wizard, providing dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair and dryer vent installation for homes and businesses in North Side Chicago and North Shore Suburbs, Cook and Lake Counties, Evanston, Wilmette, Glenview, Deerfield, Gurnee, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire and neighboring cities and communities.

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