How To Prevent a Dryer Fire

2/23/2022 (Permalink)

Important Tips to To Prevent a Dryer Fire in your Ogden, UT Home.

The average family runs their clothes dryer one or more times per week without any issues. However, when lint builds up in the exhaust of your dryer it increases the risk of a lint fire. Removing the lint can help prevent an accident that could damage your home.

Clean Your Dryer Exhaust To Avoid Fire Damage

One of the main risks of a dryer fire is lint buildup in the exhaust. The first thing you should do to reduce your fire risk is to regularly clean the lint out of the lint trap:

1. Remove the Lint Screen

Find the lint screen on your dryer. It may be located on the top, bottom or side or at the bottom of the dryer door. Pull the screen out to check for lint before you use your dryer.

2. Clean the Lint From the Screen

Use your hands to ball up the lint and then rub the lint ball on the screen to pick up the remaining lint. Discard the lint in the trash. Alternatively, you can use a cleaning or vacuum brush to remove the lint.

3. Rinse the Screen

Run the screen under the tap in your sink. Rinse until the screen is clear. You don't need to perform this step every time, but it is a good idea to rinse the screen once every few weeks to remove residues on the surface.

4. Vacuum the Screen Vent

Before you replace the screen, use the attachment on your vacuum to remove any lint in the trap. This helps prevent clogs.

5. Replace the Screen

Insert the screen back into the lint trap. Repeat this process before each load.

Deep Clean the Vents

Occasionally deep cleaning the vents can help prevent a blockage that could start a lint fire. First, unplug your dryer. Next, pull your dryer away from the wall and remove the exhaust hose by loosening the o-ring and then pulling the hose away from the dryer and wall port.

Move to a well-lit area and use a brush or the attachment hose on your vacuum to remove the lint from the hose. Buy a vent cleaning rod from a home improvement store. Follow the directions to insert the brush into the vent. Gently push and rotate the brush until the inside of the vent is clean.

Reattach the exhaust hose to the dryer and the port. Plug your dryer back in and run it to make sure no hot air is escaping from the sides of the vent. If it is, tighten the clamps on the exhaust hose.

Finally, find the vent on the exterior of your home. It probably looks like a square hole that is covered by a plastic or metal screen. Use a brush or small vacuum to remove lint from the vent. When you are done, reattach the screen. Taking these steps should help avoid a fire, but if one does occur, contact a restoration company in Ogden, UT, for assistance.

Regularly cleaning the lint trap and occasionally doing a deep cleaning of the exhaust hose and vent reduces your chance of a lint fire. It also helps keep your dryer working efficiently.