Dryer vent fires peak in winter. Here is how to prevent them
Clean the lint screen every load, keep the full vent duct clear, and make sure the outside hood opens freely. Failure to clean is the leading factor in home dryer fires, and those fires are most common in fall and winter.
What the numbers say
A U.S. Fire Administration report, Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings (2008 to 2010), estimated that about 2,900 clothes dryer fires in homes are reported to fire departments each year, causing an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property loss.
The same report found that failure to clean was the leading factor in those fires, at 34 percent. Dryer fires were more common in the fall and winter months, peaking in January at 11 percent.
Why winter is worse here
In a Minnesota winter, clothes go in the dryer instead of on the line, and heavy coats, blankets and towels shed a lot of lint. Snow can also pile up against a low outside vent hood, and ice can keep its flap from opening. Both slow the airflow, so lint settles in the duct instead of leaving the house.
Signs the vent needs cleaning
- Loads take longer than they used to
- The dryer or the laundry room feels unusually hot
- A burning or musty smell when the dryer runs
- Little or no air coming out of the outside hood
- Lint collecting around the hood or behind the dryer
What you can do between cleanings
Empty the lint screen before or after every load. Keep the area behind the dryer clear, and check that the flexible transition duct is not crushed or kinked when the dryer is pushed back. In winter, clear snow away from the outside hood after storms. The screen only catches part of the lint, so the duct itself still needs a periodic cleaning.
Quick answers
Is cleaning the lint screen enough?
No. The screen catches lint at the dryer, but some always passes into the duct. Over time it builds up along the run and at bends, which is where a full vent cleaning helps.
Why does my dryer take two cycles to dry?
A restricted vent is a common cause. When moist air cannot leave quickly, clothes stay damp longer. It is worth having the duct checked before assuming the dryer itself is failing.
See our dryer vent cleaning service, or book online.
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