When most people think about fire safety, their thoughts centre around the kitchen. However, the laundry room is another part of the house that can be a fire hazard, especially if the dryer is running. Knowing how to carry out dryer vent cleaning Toronto is one way to reduce the chances of a fire happening in the first place, and it’s much easier than many people think.
The U.S. Fire Administration states that 31% of clothes dryer fires from 2018 to 2020 were caused by not cleaning the dryer. The lint filters in dryers trap the flammable fibres necessary for combustion, so they are not the problem. If your vent is clogged and you can’t easily tell that it is, there is a decent chance your dryer is starting to become a fire hazard. Before starting dryer vent cleaning, ensure the dryer is off, and look for any obstructions in the system.
- What To Consider Before Starting
If you’re unable to deep-clean the vent on your own or if the dryer still isn’t doing its job, it may be time to bring in an expert. The service’s price depends on where you live, what your vent is made from, and what’s actually wrong with it. $100 to $200 seems to be the going rate for a simple unclogging, with the assurance that the job is good enough for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommendations.
Remember if the job is a bit too tricky for you or you just don’t have the time, please don’t put off having a professional do it. Your safety might depend on it.
- How To Clean Your Dryer from Inside
Starting to do dryer vent cleaning Toronto process from the inside requires some preparation, such as ensuring the unit has no power and is disconnected from any gas service if applicable, as well as a few basic tools. Most important, however, is that the vent is accessible from the inside of the structure.
If this is not the case, the homeowner will not be able to clean the vent from this side and should consider a professional service that can clean the vent from the other side.
Once you’ve ensured the vent can be cleaned from the inside and that you’ve taken all necessary safety precautions, there are several dryer vent cleaning Toronto steps to follow.
Step 1: Remove the rest of the lint with a pipe brush- If any stubborn lint remains stuck to the inside of the vent pipe or wall, all but the most ridiculous will follow with the next step, which is to get an extendable pipe brush and use it to get the lint out.
Pipe brushes can be found at most hardware or home stores. If you don’t have one, or can borrow one, it’s pretty much essential to have in order to clear any path leading to your plumbing from lint. “Unclog the pipe to your dryer” should be the mantra you follow while doing this step.
Step 2: Reattach the dryer duct- When the path is clear, reattach the duct that leads to the dryer.
Cleaning the exterior vent of your dryer is an important maintenance task that ensures dryer safety and efficiency. To do this from outside the house requires some care and basic supplies.
- Cleaning The Dryer Vent from Outside
To clean the vent from the outside, first, ensure that the dryer is turned off. Then get a sturdy ladder, if necessary, to reach the vent. The supplies you’ll need include a power drill (if necessary), a screwdriver, a wire brush, a lubricant (where needed), a washcloth, warm water, dish soap, and a small vacuum.
- Ways To Make a Dryer Vent Clean for A Longer Time
When using the dryer, try to use dryer sheets or wool dryer balls to eliminate static cling. This will prevent your clothes from attracting more lint. And remember: lint is the main thing that can clog a dryer vent and make your dryer work inefficiently or even dangerously.
Not that you’re in danger if you don’t do this, but you really should clean a dryer vent every so often. I found that doing it every three months works pretty well, and not just because I live in a space where I dry a bunch of air-clogging, lint-filled towels. The soap method that I use for dryer vent cleaning is very effective.
