Dryer Vent Installation and Maintenance Advice

2009-11-16T08:29:00.002-08:00

Dryer Vent Installation Indianapolis: Dryer vent installation should be done by a professional to be sure that it meets current safety standards. A poorly installed dryer vent system can be a fire hazard.

Homeowners who install their own dryer vent system often use the flexible foil or vinyl venting because it is simple to install. This was commonly done in the past; however, it has been discovered to be unsafe. Manufacturers recommend dryer ducts be made of rigid metal. Flexible foil and vinyl are really only suitable for bathroom exhaust fans; they are not designed to handle the heat and lint from your dryer.

Professional dryer vent installers will install a system made of rigid metal; the ducts will be properly routed to a dryer vent on the outside of the home. The ductwork will be installed so that it is as short and straight as possible; fewer bends and turns and a smaller distance creates maximum air flow. If several pieces are required to complete the dryer duct, they will be joined together with metal tape (not duct tape), rather than sheet metal screws. The inside of the dryer duct should be smooth; screws will protrude to the inside and trap lint.

Your dryer works hard to do its job; air flow is the most important function of your clothes dryer. A properly installed dryer vent system will ensure maximum air flow so your dryer works safely and efficiently. The easier it is to release the heat and moisture from the dryer drum, the faster your clothes will dry and the less your dryer will labor. A well installed dryer vent system will also increase the life of your clothes dryer.

Dryer Vent Cleaning: Even the Best Require Maintenance

The National Fire Prevention Association reports over 15,000 clothes dryer fires annually; some were due to improper dryer vent installation; few were caused by dryer malfunction; most of them were caused by failure to clean dryer vents. Even the very best dryer vent system, professionally installed, will require maintenance. Here are some common signs that dryer vent cleaning is necessary:

• Clothes taking several cycles to dry – this is almost always a sign of an air-flow problem; rarely is it a problem with the dryer
• Clothes smell moldy or they are unusually hot when they come out of the dryer
• No visible lint on the lint screen
• Dryer repeatedly stops during a cycle

All of these symptoms indicate a venting problem with your clothes dryer. You need to disconnect, clean and inspect the dryer vent tubing regularly, or hire a professional dryer vent cleaning specialist to do the job. Dryer vent cleaning reduces the risk of fire and increases the dryer’s efficiency, saving on energy costs and extending the life of the dryer.

Tips to keeping the dryer vents lint free:

• Clean the lint trap after each load of laundry
• Wash the lint trap with warm soapy water every few months to remove residue from dryer sheets and fabric softeners
• Check outside, when the dryer is running, to be sure the exhaust is escaping
• Have professional dryer vent cleaning performed annually

Other safety tips include:

• Never leave the house or go to sleep when the clothes dryer is running
• Avoid drying items that have been soaked with combustible chemicals
• Avoid storing combustible chemicals, cleaning products or chemical laden rags near the clothes dryer
• Be sure the outside vent cover is not blocked (or frozen shut in the winter)
• Have your dryer vent system inspected by a qualified professional to be sure it meets city, state and manufacturers codes

The fee for professional dryer vent installation and maintenance quickly pays for itself as your dryer works more efficiently, using less energy. Proper air flow prevents the dryer from overworking; therefore, a proper dryer vent system will extend the life of your appliance. Most importantly, proper ventilation eliminates a serious fire hazard.

Glen Mayfield owns Dryer Vent Wizard, providing dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair and dryer vent installation for homes and businesses in Central Indiana, Indianapolis, Plainfield, Mooresville, Greenwood, Avon, Brownsburg, Lebanon, Zionsville, Carmel, Westfield, Franklin, New Whiteland, Whiteland, Pittsboro, Danville, Lizton, Speedway, Whitestown, Bargersville, Monrovia and neighboring cities and communities. 46214, 46221, 46224, 46158, 46142, 46123, 46112, 46052, 46077, 46032, 46074, 46131, 46184, 46167, 46122, 46224, 46075, 46106, 46202, 46204, 46208, 46217, 46222, 46225, 46227, 46228, 46118, 46158, 46143, 46123, 46112, 46052, 46077, 46033, 46074, 46131, 46062, 46149, 46034, 46157, 46069, 46071, 46105, 46113, 46120, 46121, 46128, 46147, 46165, 46168, 46172, 46180, 46208, 46231, 46234, 46254, 46260, 46268, 46278, 46280, 46290

Dryer Vent Installation Advice from the Wizard of Indianapolis, Indiana

2009-11-16T08:29:00.001-08:00

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 Indianapolis, Indiana

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 Indianapolis, Indiana

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 Indianapolis, IN

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.

Glen Mayfield owns Dryer Vent Wizard, providing dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair and dryer vent installation for homes and businesses in Central Indiana, Indianapolis, Plainfield, Mooresville, Greenwood, Avon, Brownsburg, Lebanon, Zionsville, Carmel, Westfield, Franklin, New Whiteland, Whiteland, Pittsboro, Danville, Lizton, Speedway, Whitestown, Bargersville, Monrovia and neighboring cities and communities. 46214, 46221, 46224, 46158, 46142, 46123, 46112, 46052, 46077, 46032, 46074, 46131, 46184, 46167, 46122, 46224, 46075, 46106, 46202, 46204, 46208, 46217, 46222, 46225, 46227, 46228, 46118, 46158, 46143, 46123, 46112, 46052, 46077, 46033, 46074, 46131, 46062, 46149, 46034, 46157, 46069, 46071, 46105, 46113, 46120, 46121, 46128, 46147, 46165, 46168, 46172, 46180, 46208, 46231, 46234, 46254, 46260, 46268, 46278, 46280, 46290

Dryer Vent Installation Indianapolis 317.493.8886

Dryer Vent Installation and Maintenance Advice

Dryer Vent Installation Advice from the Wizard of Indianapolis, Indiana