Help Prevent Fires in Multi-Family Homes with Regular Dryer Vent Cleaning
As a landlord or property manager, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your tenants. Did you know that something as simple as dryer vent maintenance could be the key to avoiding the loss of lives and property caused by fire?
Fires caused by dryers are more common than you might expect. A U.S. government report said that fires caused by clothes dryers accounted for 80% of residential fires. All because building administrators and homeowners failed to include clothes dryer vent cleaning among their routine maintenance and cleaning priorities.
Here in Canada, government authorities have observed that residential building owners typically do not place enough emphasis on the location of laundry areas in the overall building/residential lay-out and on placing washers and dryers where they can be effectively vented.
Homeowners are responsible for protecting themselves by taking care of their own equipment. But tenants of apartments and condo units are much more dependent on the good habits of their neighbors; a fire breakout in one unit is likely to spread to the next.
As a landlord or property manager it is important to ensure that communal laundry areas are kept clean, clear and well maintained. If individual units have their own laundry facilities, you can help reduce the chances of fire by conducting an awareness campaign among your tenants. After all, public awareness is the key to preventive action.
Why dirty vents pose a fire hazard
Dryers become a fire hazard when lint or fibers from clothes accumulate inside the vent. A clogged vent will make the drier run hotter and it can eventually catch fire.
Tell-tale signs of a dirty dryer vent
Accumulation of lint in the dryer does not happen overnight. Be mindful of these signs:
- It takes longer than usual for the clothes to dry, or they do not dry at all
- Clothes feel hotter than normal when they come out of the dryer
- The dryer creates a burning smell
- The laundry room is hotter or more humid than usual
- The dryer becomes hot to the touch
If you notice any of these signs, that means it’s time to contact a professional service provider to check your dryer vent.
Other benefits of cleaning your dryer vent
Fire prevention is the major reason to clean your dyer vent. However, there are additional benefits; regular clearing of the dryer vent will extend the life of the machine and reduce power usage.
How often do you need to clean dryer vents?
That depends on how heavily the dryer is used, and its design.
Annual cleaning is recommended for an average dyer load of two to three times a week. If the dryer is loaded up to five times a day, it should be cleaned every six months.
In terms of dryer vent design, the stronger the dryer blows, the less lint will build up. Also, shorter vents are better than longer ones, while full-size dryers are better than smaller ones. Lint also builds up faster in vents with several twists and turns.
If it’s been a while since your dryer vents were inspected and cleaned, now is the right time to do so. For professional dryer vent cleaning in Calgary, call Ram Cleaning Services at (403) 291-1051.
Complete Cleaning and Maintenance Care in Calgary area since 1967.