Old Smokey's Fireplace & Chimney's Blog

Don’t forget about dryer vent cleaning!

People used to tie a string on a finger to keep them from forgetting something. How would that work? What if looking at the string served to remind them of SOMETHING, but they forgot what it was they were supposed to remember?

How’s this? To remind yourself of the need for dryer vent cleaning, place those little plastic dryer balls around the house.

Dryer vent cleaning is important enough that reminder tricks might well be worth it, no matter how eccentric. Here at Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney dryer vent cleaning is a key part of our business.

Let’s review why this relatively straightforward task is prudent and smart.

First, it’s the safe thing to do. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires is failure to clean. (Incidentally, here are some tips the NFPA offers regarding dryer vent safety.)

What is this “failure to clean”?

Dryer vents tend to get blocked or clogged over the course of time and repeated use. If the dryer vent is not cleaned, lint and other debris collected there can start a fire. The lint is dry and flammable. It poses a fire risk. These vents need to be professionally cleaned.

Old Smokey’s has the trained professionals and equipment to properly clean your dryer vent. Our experts will clear clogs and remove blockages to allow air to ventilate and flow freely – and safely. Old Smokey’s knows how to professionally clean your dryer vent, including the vent line, the lint trap, and connections and fittings.

A dryer vent cleaning yields several benefits.

You save money because your dryer is more efficient. (Plus, you won’t have to take as long to dry clothes.) You can reduce health risks by ventilating carbon monoxide to the outside. And you can lessen the likelihood that lint buildup can create conditions for mold to form.

We at Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney suggest that you have your dryer vents inspected annually by a qualified professional. In line with that annual inspection, have your vents professionally cleaned to clear away any potentially fire-inducing lint blockages.

Call Old Smokey’s today!

Call us at 260-424-0009 or 800-876-6539 to set up a dryer vent inspection and professional cleaning. Or schedule an appointment online.

Our 30+ years of experience testifies to the trust Old Smokey’s has built throughout northeast Indiana, northwest Ohio, and mid-south Michigan. We are proud of the thousands of satisfied customers we have capably served.

Avoid Potential Hazards From Uncleaned Dryer Vents

Isn’t it odd that people have bonfires in the summer more than in the winter? We don’t have statistics to prove that, but it’s a good hunch. That got us thinking: some fires are wanted; most fires are not. Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney is here to talk about preventing unwanted fires in your home arising from clogged dryer vents.
Without having your dryer vents cleaned, you face the potential hazard of an unwanted fire in your home. With that in mind, here are some sobering statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

• The leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires was failure to clean (32%).
• Dryers and washing machines were involved in 1 out of 22 home fires for 2006-2010.
  In 2010, an estimated 16,800 fires involved clothes dryers or washing machines, resulting in 51 deaths, 380 injuries, and $236 million in property damage.
• Dryer vents can get blocked or clogged as a result of repeated use. Lint and other debris collected in your dryer vents can start a fire. “Other debris” might include animal nesting materials. Lint collected in dryer vents is dry and flammable.

To minimize any risks posed by clogged dryer vents the first order of business is an inspection conducted by a professional. This is the best way to assess whether your dryer vent is clogged. Enlist Old Smokey’s to take a look at your dryer vents to make sure that lint or other debris build-up does not pose a threat of fire.
Old Smokey’s qualified and experienced professionals can identify any problems and then expertly remove clogs and blockages to allow air to ventilate and flow freely — and safely. Old Smokey’s is your go-to source to inspect and clean your dryer vents, including the vent line, the lint trap, and all connections and fittings. As professionals, we do it right the first time.
Our trained experts give dryer vent cleaning the same kind of care and attention chimney sweeping gets. We take pride in excellence. We are proud to say that dryer vent cleaning has been a significant part of our business for many years. As you likely know, our service area is broad and far, but close enough for prompt response time.
In closing, we’d like to add that an Old Smokey’s dryer vent cleaning yields dividends above and beyond fire safety. You can save on energy costs as a result of better drying efficiency. With smooth airflow, your dryer doesn’t need to take as long to dry your wet loads of wash. Also, a good cleaning can help to minimize health risks by enhancing the ventilation of carbon monoxide properly to the outdoors.
p.s. Here are some additional dryer vent safety tips from the NFPA. Now go ahead and call Old Smokey’s at 800-876-6539 to set up a dryer vent inspection and professional cleaning.