Corrugated Dryer Venting Clogged With Lint
If you have had a home inspection by HomePro Home Inspections you know that when I come across flexible, corrugated dryer venting, we discuss the potential for fire hazard. Dryer manufacturers recommend solid metal smooth bore venting to provide for better air flow. Considering how important this subject is, the stakes involved and the frequency of dryer fires in the home, the topic deserves more attention.
Clothes dryer fires account for nearly 16000 fires annually, with 80% of them occurring in residences, resulting in 15 deaths and 300 injuries per year.
New home trends tend to locate laundry room in more hazardous locations away from exterior walls. Locating laundry rooms near the center of the home results in longer vent lengths. Failure to keep these long runs clean is the leading cause for clothes dryer fires. In addition to fires, lint build up will prolong drying times, wasting energy, and contributing to even more lint build up.
Recently I came across a new product called Lint Alert. Lint Alert is a home safety device that measures and displays the back pressure in the dryer exhaust vent. The back pressure in a dryer vent will increase as lint builds up and restricts the airflow. When the backpressure increases to unsafe levels, the lint alert will alarm, letting you know that your dryer vent needs maintenance and cleaning. You can learn more about the Lint Alert at www.lintalert.com
Lint Alert