How can you ensure the preventive maintenance of your dryer?
One of the most effective tips to maintain your dryer vent clean is to regularly empty the lint basket inside your dryer. Also, always be there when you operate your dryer (for example, never dry a load during your work hours!). If the circuit breaker fails, the appliance can continue to operate without interruption and lead to an incident.
Be sure to install a smoke detector near the dryer and never store flammable products nearby. Also make sure that the connection at the back of the dryer is made of aluminum. In order not to increase the risk of clogging, the flue that connects your dryer to the exterior opening of your chimney must not show signs of crushing. In the spring and before the winter season, clean the outside outlet of your dryer with a vacuum cleaner, if it is accessible. Some consumers prefer vinyl ducts, but this is a serious mistake, because its non-rigid surface allows textile fibers to accumulate and its plasticized texture melts on contact with the heat of the flames.
One last tip… There is a very simple way to tell how clogged your dryer vent is. To do this, take a look at the protective grill located on the external outlet of your unit. If there is even a slight accumulation of lint on its walls, it means that the vent has accumulated too much.
And remember: preventive maintenance is highly recommended if the duct of your dryer has a significant sinuosity and length that amplifies the accumulation of dust…
Commercial dryer maintenance: an economical act
Most dryers on the market exhaust air through a main duct that is easy to maintain. Although your dryer’s filter retains most of the lint, it is necessary to regularly clean the exhaust air duct and the hoses located at the back of your dryer. This is to avoid long-term residue build-up.
In most cases, this cleaning, done section by section, is simple, quick and therefore inexpensive.
When should I clean my dryer vent entirely ?
Maintaining your dryer vents every three years offers significant benefits: faster drying time, an appliance that can run longer and lower electricity bills.
Every year, many fires are caused by unmaintained duct dryers. These unfortunate incidents are particularly common in large buildings and condominiums (especially older ones), which are equipped with a greater number of these appliances. Fortunately, all this can be avoided by performing preventive maintenance on your dryer vents.
At home, it’s best to call in a professional from time to time, such as every three to five years. This allows for a thorough cleaning that you can then continue to maintain with all of the tips mentioned above for a few years.
As for buildings, their drying ducts are wide and winding, they accumulate lint faster. For safety reasons, maintenance should be carried out at most every three to five years by a specialized company.