Did you realize that, according to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), 5,100 clothes dryer fires were reported in 2012 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission? These fires resulted in 10 deaths, 180 injuries, and approximately $80 million in residential property losses. Why did thousands of clothes dryers catch on fire? The main reason for these fires is dirty and clogged dryer vents. Many homeowners are unaware that national fire safety organizations recommend having their dryer vents professionally cleaned annually, but this service is essential in reducing your risk of a clothes dryer fire. Aelite Chimney Specialties is proud to offer this maintenance service to the residents of the Chicago area, and you can trust our expert technicians to thoroughly clean your entire dryer vent. We would like to answer a couple of frequently asked questions about dirty dryer vents and the dangers they pose.
Why are dirty dryer vents so dangerous?
Your clothes dryer produces a lot of lint, and this lint can end up accumulating inside the vent. Lint is so flammable that the Boy Scouts of America recommend using it to start campfires, so when you have a large accumulation of lint within your dryer vent, you have the risk of a fire igniting within the vent. Lint can build up to the point to where it clogs the vent, and this causes your dryer to overheat. If your dryer gets hot enough, the lint can easily ignite into a fire that could spread throughout your entire home. Aelite Chimney Specialties can reduce this fire hazard with our professional dryer vent cleaning services. After we have thoroughly cleaned the vent, you can rest easy and not worry about your clothes dryer catching on fire.
What are the other benefits of professional dryer vent cleaning?
Since accumulations of lint can block your dryer vent and cause your dryer to overheat, you can prolong the life of your clothes dryer by having its vent professionally cleaned every year. When your dryer overheats, it can make important parts in your dryer prematurely wear out. If your heating element breaks down, it can involve expensive repairs, and you may even have to buy a new clothes dryer. Additionally, a clogged and dirty dryer vent reduces the efficiency of your dryer by causing you to have to run your dryer for more than one cycle to fully dry one load of clothes. Running your dryer like this can be expensive and cause your utility bills to increase. A professional dryer vent service will save you both money and energy.
Avoid potentially devastating clothes dryer fires. If you live around Chicago, contact us today at Aelite Chimney Specialties to schedule an appointment for our professional dryer vent cleaning services that will reduce your risk of experiencing a fire in your clothes dryer.