Dryer Vent Cleaning Richmond, VA

Dryer Vent Cleaning and Common Hazards found in Charming, Older Homes in Richmond

2010-03-17T11:39:00.000-07:00

Dryer Vent Cleaning and Tips from the Wizard of Richmond, VA

Dryer vent cleaning is necessary for everyone who owns a clothes dryer. Dryer vent cleaning opens the air-way to allow heat and moisture to escape as your laundry dries. Dryer vent cleaning promotes maximum dryer performance and eliminates a fire hazard.

If you live in an older home, you may appreciate its beauty and charm; however, there are some common hazards found in older homes.

When an older home was built, and the appliances were installed, there were very different safety codes in place. Back then vinyl or flexible foil vents were commonly used for dryer vent systems. Over the years it has been determined that these flammable materials are not safe for venting your clothes dryer.

While you may not want to think of your dryer as something that can cause a fire, the reality is that it produces hot air and it is a machine, so there is always a possibility of sparks being created. The type of duct you have attached to your dryer can make the difference between a spark that harmlessly fizzles out and one that grows to a rapidly spreading fire.

There is no reason to sacrifice the charm of an older home; however, it would be a good idea to have it inspected for safety. If you do not know what type of dryer vent system you have then it is likely to be serious fire hazard. A dryer exhaust specialist can inspect your dryer vent system and make necessary upgrades to ensure you dryer is operating safely and efficiently.

The Wizard is an expert at handling dryer vents in crawl spaces

George Hostetler owns Dryer Vent Wizard, a company who specializes in all dryer exhaust issues. Dryer Vent Wizard technicians are committed to educating consumers to make them aware of how their dryer vent system works and signs to look for indicating the need for service. George Hostetler scored a perfect 100% on the CSIA CDET Dryer Exhaust Technician's Exam qualifying him to provide top-notch service in his community.

Dryer Vent Wizard of Central Virginia, provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair and dryer vent installation for consumers and businesses in the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area, Central Virginia, Richmond, Colonial Heights, Petersburg, Hopewell, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Franklin, Williamsburg, in the counties of Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Goochland, Powhatan, New Kent, Charles City, King William, West End, Westhampton, Tuckahoe, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Ashland, Brandermill, Midlothian, Bon Air, Stratford Hills, Fan District and Museum District and neighboring cities and communities.

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Dryer Vent Cleaning Richmond, VA - The Wizard is Troubled by So Many Dryer Fires

2010-01-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

Dryer vent cleaning prevents dryer fires, reduces energy bills and prolongs the life of your clothes dryer. Clean dryer vents annually to keep your dryer operating safely and efficiently.

There are many companies who repair, install and clean dryer vents. The internet is loaded with articles and blogs all warning consumers about the danger of clogged dryer vents; not to mention the increase in utility expenses when clothes dryers are not venting properly.

So Many Dryer Vent Cleaners; Yet, So Many Dryer Vent fires

Morgan County, West Virginia: Home destroyed by fire that started with a clogged dryer vent. The Red Cross helped the family with lodging; they lost everything.

Leesburg, VA: An estimated $200,000 in damages occurred when a clothes dryer in an enclosed breezeway between the garage and the home caught fire. When firefighters arrived they found the garage burning with fire spreading to the two-story home. Two residents were transported to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation; a third was treaded at the scene. The American Red Cross is assisting the three residents with temporary housing.

Salisbury, MD: Excessive lint build-up in the dryer vent system caused a fire at a Holiday Inn resulting in an estimated $5,000 to the building and contents. 10 firefighters worked for an hour to get the blaze under control. There were no injuries.

Franklin, NC: A clothes dryer fire destroyed a home and killed 12 family pets including 9 newborn puppies and 3 cats. The couple’s disabled son, Robert, bravely battled the flames for 20 minutes after helping other disabled residents to safety. Robert called 911 several times to keep an open line of communication and to guide firefighters through the thick, black smoke to the origin of the fire. Robert was able to save two adult female dogs and the lives of other residents; however, he was unable to get to the cats and the litter of puppies. The family lost everything; home, clothes, food, belongings, Christmas presents, photos; they have little money and yet they feel blessed to be alive.

Chattanooga, TN: A resident heard popping noises coming from the clothes dryer and then noticed fire and called 911. Fire was contained to the laundry area; however, the entire house suffered smoke damage. Structural damages were estimated to be $15,000. No injuries were reported.
Dryer fires are caused by a combination of excessive heat and blockage of air flow. If there is a lint build-up in the system then you have the combustibles needed to start a fire.

Check the internet and you will find many dryer vent cleaning companies in your area. With so many dryer vent cleaners, there is no reason for so many dryer vent fires. Annual dryer vent cleaning is the number one prevention of clothes dryer fires. Have a dryer vent specialist inspect your dryer vent system to be sure it is safe and your dryer is operating efficiently.

George Hostetler, owner and operator of Dryer Vent Wizard of Central Virginia, is dedicated to servicing dryer vents. George Hostetler was inspired to purchase his franchise in July, 2009, after one of his neighbors experienced a dryer fire. George is committed to educating consumers in his community to reduce dryer fire hazards and ensure clothes dryers are operating safely and efficiently. George has earned the CSIA CDET Certification which qualifies him to provide the very best dryer exhaust services available.

Dryer Vent Wizard of Central Virginia, provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair and dryer vent installation for consumers and businesses in the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area, Central Virginia, Richmond, Colonial Heights, Petersburg, Hopewell, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Franklin, Williamsburg, in the counties of Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Goochland, Powhatan, New Kent, Charles City, King William, West End, Westhampton, Tuckahoe, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Ashland, Brandermill, Midlothian, Bon Air, Stratford Hills, Fan District and Museum District and neighboring cities and communities.

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Dryer Vent Cleaning: What is Lurking in Your Dryer Vent?

2009-09-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

Out of sight, out of mind; yet very dangerous, the dryer vent system is often neglected as homeowners perform seasonal maintenance around the house. Failure to clean the dryer ducts and dryer vent system will result in higher energy bills and could lead to a dryer fire. The lint screen only traps about 60 percent of the lint from tumbling laundry; the rest gets trapped in the dryer ducts, the dryer vent or inside the dryer around the drum and motor.

Is Your Dryer Vent System Safe?

Some people still use the flexible foil, plastic or vinyl venting, which is no longer up to code. Manufacturers recommend using semi-rigid metal for a safer, more efficient dryer vent system.

Too many bends and turns slow down the flow of dryer exhaust; longer lengths of duct cause moisture to condense, trapping and allowing lint to build up. This will cause your dryer work harder and use more energy.

When sections are joined with screws that protrude to inside of the dryer duct, they catch lint and cause exhaust leaks. If you have a gas dryer, you might have carbon monoxide leaking into your home. Leaks in the system also allow humidity to cause mold and mildew growth in your home. This can cause damage to your home and health problems for residents.

Professional dryer vent cleaning is recommended annually to keep clothes dryers running safely and efficiently. A specialized technician can do a thorough inspection to be sure your system meets current safety codes and is properly installed for optimum air-flow and efficiency.

This article was written by George Hostetler, owner and operator of Dryer Vent Wizard of Central Virginia. George specializes in all dryer vent and dryer exhaust issues while educating his customers to help them prevent dryer fires and save money. Dryer Vent Wizard will meet their goal of making one million clothes dryers safer and greener by the year 2010.

George provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair, dryer vent installation, dryer vent inspections and all dryer vent services for homes and businesses in Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area, Central Virginia, Richmond, Colonial Heights, Petersburg, Hopewell, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Franklin, Williamsburg, in the counties of Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Goochland, Powhatan, New Kent, Charles City, King William, West End, Westhampton, Tuckahoe, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Ashland, Brandermill, Midlothian, Bon Air, Stratford Hills, Fan District and Museum District and neighboring cities and communities.

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Dryer Vent Cleaning: Advice from the Wizard of Richmond, VA

2009-09-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

Don’t Let Your Dryer Start a Fire! Keep Your Richmond Home Safe and Sound

Most people have their furnaces cleaned regularly; however, very few people think of the clothes dryer in relation to appliance maintenance. According to the National Fire Protection Association over 15,000 dryer fires are reported each year. Failure to clean the dryer vent and duct system is the cause of most of these fires. Believe it or not, your clothes dryer is more likely to cause a fire than your furnace or stove! Dryer Vent Wizard recommends annual dryer vent cleaning.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Prevents Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Richmond, VA

Besides being a fire hazard, improper dryer venting also poses a carbon monoxide risk. The dryer vent system removes gas by-products from your home if you have a gas dryer. Dryer Vent Wizard recommends a complete inspection of your dryer vent system to be sure it is functioning safely.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Reduces Energy Bills for Richmond Residents

When a dryer vent and the dryer ducts are clogged with lint, air flow is restricted, causing your dryer to work harder and use more energy. This creates higher utility bills and a greater chance of the appliance breaking down. Appliance repairs and/or replacement can be expensive. You can prolong the life of your clothes dryer with proper dryer vent cleaning and maintenance. Dryer Vent Wizard provides dryer vent cleaning, maintenance, repairs, installation and dryer vent inspections for homes and businesses in your area.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Prevents Fires in Richmond, Virginia

A clothes dryer fire is caused by lint build-up which restricts airflow and leads to overheating. Dryers produce a lot of lint and simply cleaning the lint screen is not enough. Though the lint filter catches most of the lint, some will escape and end up in the dryer vent system. The dryer ducts remove lint and moisture from your clothes; the moist lint doesn’t always make it to the vent outside of your home. It can stick to the sides of the ducts where it builds up and eventually dries to a hard paste. This hard paste attracts more sticky lint, eventually creating a blockage which can cause a fire.

Dryer Vent Inspections and UL Safety Standards in Richmond, VA

Underwriters Laboratories is an independent product safety certification organization that has been testing products for safety for over a century. Dryer Vent Wizard will inspect your dryer vent system to be sure it meets UL Safety standards in your community.

Dryer Vent Wizard of Richmond Recommends Shorter Dryer Ducts

It used be that most clothes dryers were in the basement, on an outside wall, with a relatively short, straight vent to the outdoors. These days many newer homes tend to have their laundry area located away from an outside wall; some are on the second floor. This means dryer vents are much longer and contain some elbows and bends where lint can accumulate. They’re also harder to reach therefore more difficult to keep cleaned. The ideal dryer vent system is short and straight. Dryer Vent Wizard has special tools for reaching the hard to get to places.

Dryer Vent Wizard of Richmond Uses Rigid Venting Material, not Vinyl

Dryer ducts should be made of rigid or semi-rigid metal, not the flexible foil or vinyl type that was used in the old days. The flexible vinyl type of tubing crushes easily and restricts air-flow. Dryer Vent Wizard professionally installs semi-rigid metal dryer vent systems in homes and commercial buildings.

Dryer Vent Wizard of Richmond Inspects to Ensure Proper Installation

Dryer Vent Wizard does not advise use of sheet metal screws when attaching multiple sections of vent pipe together. They use foil tape instead to eliminate protuberances that cause obstructions where lint can accumulate, eventually leading to a restriction which hampers dryer vent cleaning and allows lint to build up.

Wash the Lint Screen to Remove Residue Build-up

Few people are aware that the dryer vent screen should be washed thoroughly with warm soapy water every few months to remove residue build up caused by dryer sheets. It is actually possible for the lint screen to have so much build-up on it that it will hold water! This definitely restricts air flow and causes the dryer to take more than one cycle to properly dry a load of clothes.

Bugs, Mice, Birds and Critters in Richmond, Virginia

If you have mice in your house, you have probably called exterminators or tried your own critter traps to get rid of the pests. But this is just a temporary solution until more critters come in. The only effective way to get rid of them for good is to stop them from getting into your home in the first place. The one major path of entry that mice have into your home is the dryer vent.

Birds have been known to build nests in dryer vents which prevent lint from escaping. Bees, wasps and hornets nests have also been found in dryer vents. Dryer Vent Wizard recommends annual dryer vent cleaning and regular inspections to be sure the dryer vent system is free of clogs.

Dryer Vent Cleaning and Tips from Dryer Vent Wizard of Richmond, VA

• Make sure your dryer vent system is up to city, state and manufacturer’s codes
• Replace plastic or foil vent with semi-rigid or solid meta material
• Keep the lint screen clean; check before and after each load
• Wash lint screens with soap and water every few months to remove residue from fabric softener sheets
• Have professional dryer vent cleaning done annually
• Don't keep combustibles like chemical cleaning products or chemical laden rags near your clothes dryer
• Don't leave the house or go to sleep with your dryer running
• In cold weather, check outside vent cover to make sure it's not blocked or frozen shut

Dryer Vent Wizard of Richmond Shares Warning Signs to Watch for

• The dryer takes more than one cycle to get a load dry
• No lint visible on lint screen
• Dryer repeatedly stops during a cycle
• Clothes have moldy smell after dry cycle
• Clothes are very hot after a dry cycle

Dryer Vent Wizard of Connecticut is the dryer vent cleaning and repair expert to call for service. The service call is very little compared to the loss of your home or the lives of you and your family if you should experience a clothes dryer fire.

Please watch this video provided by Dryer Vent Wizard of Richmond, VA

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26507771#26507771

Dryer Vent Wizard of Central Virginia provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair, dryer vent installation, dryer vent inspections and all dryer vent services for homes and businesses in Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area, Central Virginia, Richmond, Colonial Heights, Petersburg, Hopewell, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Franklin, Williamsburg, in the counties of Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Goochland, Powhatan, New Kent, Charles City, King William, West End, Westhampton, Tuckahoe, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Ashland, Brandermill, Midlothian, Bon Air, Stratford Hills, Fan District and Museum District and neighboring cities and communities.

23005, 23015, 23059, 23060, 23063, 23069, 23111, 23116, 23112, 23113, 23114, 23120, 23139, 23141, 23150, 23233, 23234, 23235, 23236, 23237, 23238, 23242, 23294, 23801, 23803, 23805, 23832, 23834, 23836, 23838, 23860, 23875, 23885