Ice Machine Maintenance and Sanitation

You can order ice makers and dispensers with automatic cleaning features, such as air filters and self-rinsing ice contact surfaces, or you can do it the old-fashioned way. Either way, ice that is dirty, melts too quickly, or lacks uniformity usually signals a dirty or malfunctioning machine. Here are the most common problems and ways to prevent them: Dirty ice. Clean and sanitize the machine regularly to remove algae, slime, and mineral deposits from the water. Bin walls can be washed with a neutral cleanser as long as you are sure to rinse them thoroughly. Always remove ice with clean hands and a sanitized plastic scoop, and never use the bin as a convenient place to stash foods or beverages. Check the air filter on air-cooled models at least twice a month, and wash it whenever it is dirty. Small, cloudy, or broken cubes.

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This usually signals a problem with the water filtration system. Perhaps the water is not entering the machine at sufficient pounds per square inch because it's being partially blocked. Try replacing the water filter by turning off the water first, then slowly opening the filtration cartridge or canister. Blocks of ice stuck to bottom of bin. Keep the ice machine level and the drain unclogged to prevent melting ice from puddling at the bottom of the bin and refreezing to form blocks. Lack of ice. First, confirm that the electric circuit breakers (for both the machine and the condenser) are on.

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If it's a self-cleaning machine, be sure it is set to make ice instead of clean; the switch may have been tripped to the wrong position. Check the sensor inside the bin; tighten it if it seems loose. Finally, inspect the water supply. A partially closed valve or insufficient water pressure can interrupt or reduce the ice-making cycle. Melting cubes. The fins on the condenser become clogged when they are dirty, which can interrupt the freezing process or make partial cubes instead of full ones. The fins should be clean enough to see through to allow the refrigerant to reach the right temperature to finish the freezing process. Inspect and clean fins at least every three months.

If your machine has a condenser, it should also be cleaned regularly with a brush or vacuum cleaner. These few problems are easily handled by your staff, but there are times it's probably best to call the factory-authorized service person: when the ice-making cycle takes far too long, or when ice is not made even though the water supply seems fine. By health code standards, ice is a food. A mandatory part of employee training should include handling ice so that it remains safe and sanitary for human consumption.

This means: use dedicated containers for ice. Don't use containers that have also been used to store food. Store ice containers by hanging them upside down, far from the floor. Don't nest them in stacks, which is unsanitary. Clean and sanitize every ice scoop regularly. Have plenty of scoops, and store them by hanging them outside the machine-not sitting in the ice. Employees must wash their hands before they scoop or bag the ice; and technically, they're not supposed to touch it at all without using clean disposable gloves.

No one can eat, drink, or smoke around the ice machines. Filtering water before it enters the machine will improve ice quality as well as protect your machine from lime scaling, chlorine buildup, and slime. (Slime, incidentally, has a scientific name: biofilm.) One popular manufacturer, Manitowoc Ice of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, now uses an antimicrobial chemical to make all plastic parts that come intocontact with water or ice. This retards, but does not completely eliminate, biofilm growth. Today's ice machines can be programmed to clean themselves automatically during the hours they are not in use, a process which takes about half an hour. Cleaning is recommended weekly.

Ice Machine Maintenance and Sanitation

Dryer Duct Cleaning

High Velocity Air Conditioners

High velocity air conditioners work by delivering air into a room at a high velocity (roughly two feet per second). This creates air currents that circulate cooler air throughout the room or entire house.

dryer duct cleaning kit

The high velocity systems have certain advantages and disadvantages over the conventional forced air system. For example, the conventional systems moves air slowly. You really don't feel the circulation and there can be dead spaces in rooms if vents were not placed properly. High velocity systems places vents in more locations; thus, there is a more consistent airflow and temperature throughout the house. However, since conventional systems use larger ducts, more air passes through and they are silent. The high velocity systems use much smaller tubes to circulate air and are nosier. Conventional systems are also easier on your pocket, as tend to last longer because of the metal ductwork, etc. High velocity tubing deteriorates more often than metal ducts and tubing causes stress on the mechanical components of the unit.

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On the plus side, conventional systems are more visible in the home than the high velocity. Conventional systems require more space because of the larger vents, and every room needs a supply and return. The high velocity unit requires much less space and can be set up in one area for the supply and return requirements. Also, the high velocity system is less expensive than the conventional one.

Finally, keep in mind that central cooling systems are not easy to install. There is generally a problem with any installation. Any errors in installation can cause major problems and a major impact on your electric bill. Make sure you get plenty of bids and pick a contractor that you have faith in. The contractor should be experienced and offer you references to check out the work that has been done.

High Velocity Air Conditioners

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Spring Cleaning: What's Lurking in Your Dryer Vents and Air Ducts?

Apparently, over 17,000 dryer fires occur every year, causing not just more than 0 million in property damages, but, in many cases, injuries and even death, too. And for that very reason, the National Fire Prevention Association, right there along with dryer manufacturers, recommends that we get our dryer vents cleaned annually-especially for those doing load after load several times a week. Other experts recommend it be done every two or three years.

dryer duct cleaning tools

Haven't done it in a while-maybe not ever? Clue #1 that you're past-due: if it's taking too long for your dryer to do its job, a build-up of lint blocking air flow may well be the culprit. That's all it takes to trigger a fire.

Dryer Duct Cleaning

More Warning Clues:

1. The clothes come out hotter than normal.

2. The dryer's exterior feels hot.

3. The laundry room is more humid that usual.

4. A burnt smell emanates from the laundry room.

It just makes sense: the better the air flow, the less likelihood of lint build-up, so be in the know:

· Short vents blow better than long ones.

· Full-sized dryers blow better than stack dryers or older ones.

· Vents with a lot of turns/elbows accumulate more lint.

· Full-sized dryers with very short vents may never need cleaning.

Don't stop there, though, as you tackle all those spring cleaning chores. Besides safely dried clothes, consider, as well, the state of the air in your home. This goes well beyond making appliances, windows, and floors glisten, but may be as important.

Fact is, when air conditioning and heating seasons are in full swing, air blows fairly constantly through your home's ducts. But during energy-free, money-saving spring and fall, evidently dirt, dead bugs, dust, mold spores and other allergens accumulate in there. Ha-choo!

Actually, says a1sparkles.com, the average home's duct system can circulate up to 20 pounds of the stuff in just one year. The company also advises that air duct cleaning keeps heating/cooling systems running more smoothly and lasting longer, while reducing energy bills, too. Sounds like a win-win.

Although the EPA says the jury is still out on the need for duct cleaning, it seems logical as a means of decreasing home air pollution. If uncertain, check with your local heating/cooling service company.

Two things are certain, however: keeping your dryer's lint trap clean, along with your heater's air filter, is a must. Then add an occasional professional cleaning of those dryer vents and air ducts and be breathing more easily all around.

Spring Cleaning: What's Lurking in Your Dryer Vents and Air Ducts?

Dryer Duct Cleaning

How to Repair Your Clothes Dryer

Clothes Dryers are one of the most useful appliances that has ever been invented. It not only helps the homemaker by making it much easier to do laundry. Many people live in an upper level apartment building and cannot simply hang their clothes outside on a line. However, after time goes by the clothes dryer will begin to have problems, and you should know a little bit about how to repair your clothes dryer.

dryer duct cleaning equipment

If your clothes dryer is still under warranty, the best thing is not to take any chances trying to fix it yourself. You should call the company and have a repairman come check the dryer out. Most warranties state that if you attempt to work on the dryer yourself, it will null the warranty. That means that if you open the top or the back. You will end up having to pay for all the parts.

Dryer Duct Cleaning

If your clothes dryer is past its warranty, then by all means, if you think you can possibly repair it yourself then do so. Most of it is simple.

If your clothes are taking longer to dry than normal, it could be cause from several different things. Hopefully, you did not throw away your owner's manual. That is one of the most important booklets that you could ever receive about the trouble shooting that sometimes takes place with your clothes dryer. First, you should check the lint filter, hopefully, you have cleaned it out after a few times drying clothes. This must be done on a regular basis, at least once a week.

If that is not the trouble, the next thing to investigate is your vent tube. The vent tube may have gotten clogged by something and need cleaning out. If this is so, unplug the dryer and slide it away from the wall so that you will be able to get to it from the back, the hose (tub) will only allow you to move the dryer for a short distance. Then with a pair of channel locks, if it uses a clamp of that time to hold the hose onto the base, it may need a screwdriver, or a pair of pliers to release the hose. Once the hose is up and you can see down into it as far as you can you may want to shake it to find out if there may be some trash somewhere in the hose itself.

If this is not the trouble, you should then consult the owner's manual on what steps to take next. Taking the back off the clothes dryer is simple, however, be very cautious, the sharp edges on the cross plates are very dull but they will cut you, sometimes very severely. Once you see the heating unit, you will notice that you will have to disconnect some wires, it is a good idea to mark which wires go where, because failure to put them back in the right spot could result in an electrical fire. On the inside of the plate you will see some screws or nuts that have been tightened down; it may take a lot of pressure in releasing them so that they will turn easily, however, once the unit is detached you should take it to the proper facility to have it checked.

There are other items such as the belt and the motor; however, there is not enough room in this article to delve into those areas. Everyone should learn all that they can about how to repair your clothes dryer.

How to Repair Your Clothes Dryer

Dryer Duct Cleaning

Cleaning Dog Toys

We will start by telling you how to clean rubber, plastic, and hard toys. These toys can be easily cleaning by using soap and water. If the soap and water method does not work well enough, you can also place these toys into the dishwasher. While in the dishwasher you should put the water on hot with no detergent. The heat and water pressure should remove the dirt and grime from the toys, which is why detergent is not needed. Another type of toy is rope toys. Rope toys can be cleaned by wetting the toy and placing it inside the microwave for a full minute. Microwaves are known for killing germs like bacteria to yeast and mold.

dryer duct cleaning tools

Another way to get rid of the germs on this type of toy is, again, to stick inside the dishwasher with no detergent. Using hot water will take care of all the germs on the toy. Dogs also love stuffed animals. Stuffed animals can get very slobbery and carry many germs so you should clean these very thoroughly. The easiest way to clean this is throwing it into the washing machine. Most animals can handle the washing machine, so this is your best bet. After surviving the washing machine you can then put it into the dryer. Keep in mind these things that you should discard:

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1.Toys that have missing parts and that have been heavily chewed.
2.Any toys with dangling bits, all which have a choking hazard.
3.Toys that your dog is "eating" excluding treat toys. Your dog should not be eating his toys.
Once you are satisfied with how the toy cleaning turned out, you are now ready to give the toy back to your dog.

Cleaning Dog Toys

Dryer Duct Cleaning

Kitchen Appliances - A Must Have Checklist for New Cooking Appliances

OVENS

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Has your joiner/builder received the correct installation details for your new oven?. Statistically about one third of appliances are installed incorrectly, giving poor results, and it is imperative you avoid this. You will usually find installation information in the oven, make sure your joiner/builder receives this.

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Height of Oven in your Kitchen - Is your oven set at the correct height for you? It's a good idea to visit a showroom and check the height most suitable for you.

Self Cleaning Ovens - Today's ovens are becoming more and more sophisticated with a number now incorporating catalytic self cleaning liners. These liners clean with the aid of heat from the oven. No chemical cleaners are to be used with the liners as chemicals will render the liners useless.

Pyrolytic Ovens - The ultimate in self-cleaning where the oven heats to 500o and burns all residues off. Make sure you remove all trays and racks first.

(WARNING: Most wall ovens are fitted with a concealed undersurface heating element in the oven base; do not place any object on oven floor including cooking vessels or foil liners as extensive damage to the oven liner will occur.)

COOKTOPS

Gas Cooktops - Have you had the jets adjusted to ensure your hob can simmer correctly? 99% of all gas problems are due to installation. (REGULATIONS FOR GAS COOKTOPS - Has your kitchen manufacturer adhered to the regulations regarding distances of your gas hob from flammable joinery, and the placement of gas bottles outside your house?)

Ego Cooktops - Rusting can occur if these hobs are left wet, and the stainless steel rims can discolour. Wipe dry after cleaning.

Ceramic and Induction Cooktops - Do you know how to clean and maintain these glass surfaces? Ask what is the best way to clean the surface of your appliance when you purchase it. Unlevelled saucepans will give inferior results and add to cooking time. Induction cooktops require pots to have a magnetic base. If a magnet does not work then the pots are unsuitable for induction.

FREESTANDING RANGES

Gas Appliances - These must be installed by a gasfitter. A serviceman will adjust jets, and ensure the oven works correctly. This will usually be an additional cost similar to where an electrician is required to install an electric range.

LPG/NG Jets - Most gas ranges and cooktops arrive into New Zealand with natural gas jets and the LPG jets need to be fitted, these are inside the appliance so do not throw them away.

RANGEHOODS AND DUCTING

Be aware that long runs of flexi hose create extra noise and impede performance. Most brands of rangehoods work best with 150mm ducting and we suggest if using a flexible ducting material to pay a few dollars extra and use the semi rigid for far better performance and longevity.

Kitchen Appliances - A Must Have Checklist for New Cooking Appliances

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Air Duct Cleaning - Homeowners Frequently Asked Questions About Duct Cleaning

While many homeowners are beginning to realize the importance of routine duct cleaning, you may still have questions about the process. That's why we've compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about who should clean your ducts, why it's necessary, and how it's done.

dryer duct cleaning equipment

"Why do my air ducts need to be cleaned?"

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Over the years, dust, allergens, dirt, and other debris can accumulate in your ducts. In fact, it can build up in layers as much as three inches deep! This filth can trap bacteria and foster mold growth, creating potential health threats for your family. And, to make matters worse, every time your HVAC system turns on, some of these contaminants are circulated throughout your house. Having your air ducts cleaned removes this accumulation of pollutants and greatly improves the air quality of your home. For safe, breathable air, you should have your ducts cleaned at least every four years.

"How exactly is my ductwork cleaned?"

Using specialized tools and a negative airflow system (essentially a huge vacuum), air duct cleaners scrape the dust, dirt, and debris from your ducts. The tools agitate the particles away from the sides of the ducts and the vacuum keeps them from escaping into your house. The cleaning should also include air washing furnace and air conditioner components, vacuuming registers, and applying mold inhibiting agents if necessary.

"Who should clean my ducts?"

Only trust a professional duct cleaning service. These experts have the knowledge and specialized equipment to effectively remove all of the dust and debris from your ductwork without damaging it or dispersing the pollutants throughout your house. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using only National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) certified specialists. NACDA certified professionals are trained, skilled experts with a thorough knowledge of industry standards, proper ductwork cleaning procedures, and environmental concerns.

"Will duct cleaning damage my furnace or air conditioner?"

No: duct cleaners use specialized tools and techniques to remove accumulated dust without harming any component of your HVAC system. In fact, your furnace and air conditioner will actually work better after a cleaning: airflow will be improved, so your heating and cooling system can run more efficiently.

"My home is new, so I don't need a duct cleaning, right?"

Wrong! Construction is a messy process, and frequently debris and drywall dust get into your ductwork. This blocks airflow, traps even more dust, and can contribute to mold growth. A thorough cleaning will remove any obstructions, as well as the accumulated dust, to get your ducts into great shape!

"Will my house be less dusty after my ductwork cleaning?"

You bet! Because your heating and cooling system circulates dust from your ductwork throughout your home, eliminating that dust means your whole house will be cleaner.

"Since my new furnace clean, I don't need a duct cleaning, right?"

Wrong. Even though your new furnace is clean, there is still dust in your ducts. And, because the fan on your new furnace is probably more powerful than the old one, all that dust and dirt is going to be blown straight into your rooms! Most HVAC cleaning specialists recommend a complete ductwork cleaning in tandem with any new furnace or air conditioner installation.

"Will duct cleaning help my allergies?"

Most likely. The accumulation inside your ducts includes pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and other allergens as well as dirt. Removing this debris should greatly decrease the concentration of allergens in the air and reduce your allergy symptoms.

If you have any additional questions about ductwork cleaning or need to schedule a cleaning for your ductwork, contact your local air duct cleaning service. They'll be able to provide additional information and superior cleaning!

Air Duct Cleaning - Homeowners Frequently Asked Questions About Duct Cleaning

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Spring Home Maintenance

Sacramento Spring Home Maintenance

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A Spring Check-up for the House

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With Spring around the corner it is a good time to think about giving your Sacramento house a thorough check-up. A regular Spring maintenance plan will go far in helping you identify problems early on and mitigate costly damage and repairs. And by keeping your Sacramento house in good repair and good order you will enhance your everyday living.

Inspect and repair exteriors suffering the effects of winter weather. Start a thorough Spring cleaning room by room and check all house systems. Think through each area of your property to make a comprehensive checklist of basic tasks, such as the following:

Home Exterior Spring Check List

Inspect the roof for leaks and damaged tiles or shingles Check siding for loose pieces and check trim for cracked paint Clean gutters, repair holes and weak joints, and replace damaged sections Replace exterior caulking that is peeling

Inspect the foundation for cracks or other signs of weakening. Repair cracked or uneven driveways, stairs, and sidewalks to prevent injuries

Remove and store storm windows and doors Wash windows and repair any damaged frames; clean and reinstall screens Clean up yard debris such as dead foliage and weeds; begin spring landscaping projects Clean and repair outdoor patio furniture Check sprinkler system for leaky or loose valves Inspect decks, patios, porches, stairs, and railings for loose pieces and deterioration

Home Interior Spring Check List

Service the water heater pump and motor Clean the air conditioning unit and replace the belt when necessary; follow the manufacturer's recommendations for professional maintenance Replace the furnace filter Make sure the electrical system is adequate to support any new appliances, technology, or increased wattage use; upgrade as necessary Clear slow-moving drains and ensure that plumbing shutoff valves function properly Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and damper Ensure that fire extinguishers are operable and accessible Clean smoke alarm covers and install new batteries Replace older light bulbs with energy-efficient models Sort through closets and other storage and pull out things that are no longer used, then make a plan to donate or sell them

With an established Spring Home Maintenance routine you will also become better acquainted with the nuances of your home systems and better equipped to deal with problems when they do arise. It is a good idea to supplement your Spring Home Maintenance efforts by making a professional home inspection part of the routine. While most homebuyers have an inspection as part of their due diligence when considering a new home, most homeowners don't think to schedule an inspection once they are living in the house. Yet, a professional home inspector can help you identify problems in your home before they become huge strains on your lifestyle and your wallet. Once you have gone through your spring home maintenance check list to note things that concern you, an inspector can give you insight into necessary repairs and upgrades.

Spring Home Maintenance

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Home Organization Tips to Help You Get a Handle on Laundry

How can a few home organization tips make your laundry life easier? Clothes are wonderful. Shopping is fun. Wearing the right clothes can make you feel great. Seeing your kids in the cute little outfits you buy for them is priceless. Dirty laundry, however, is none of these things. Those wonderful clothes can quickly turn into a big pile of dirty laundry. Towels, washcloths, and bed linens add to the never ending mound. Laundry will always be something that has to be dealt with. Actually we should be thankful for the laundry because it means we had something to wear today! There are ways to help make the task a little easier though.

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One thing that will help is always putting the laundry where it needs to go as soon as it is taken off or used. If you wear a blouse for a couple of hours and just throw it over a chair or exercise machine intending to hang it up later, what happens? It becomes wrinkled, and you either have to iron it or wash it again. Do your kids leave piles of laundry in their rooms? Do towels and washcloths get piled into a corner of the bathroom? Get everyone on board and have everybody put their clothes and linens in the proper places the first time. There is no need to handle each piece of laundry several times. Use it, put it in the laundry basket and wash it.

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Now, where do they need to go? How precise you can organize your laundry may depend on the size of your laundry room. You can also create space for a hamper in the corner of your child's room, closet or bathroom. There are many cute hampers for nurseries and kids' rooms. For your laundry room, you can buy inexpensive flexible hampers or hampers that already come with several separate laundry bags. Some of these are even on wheels. That can come in handy.

Try these home organization tips for separating your laundry. Separate your laundry into as many different hampers as you can. Ideally, for every load you wash, have a separate hamper for it. For a small area, it may be something like this: bath linens, dress or office clothes, outside work or play clothes and whites (t-shirts, underclothes, and socks). If you have more space, the ideal solution would be this: whites, everyday office or school clothes (one dark, one light), dark bath linens, light bath linens (if you have both), outside work clothes or play clothes that are heavily soiled, and delicates. If you have a baby or toddler, they create enough dirty clothes for their own hamper too. It may seem like a lot of different piles, but it is so much easier to just pick a hamper and wash the contents without having to sort anything. You can even place index cards on the hampers to make it easier for family members. Once this system is in place, it will make doing the laundry faster and easier.

If possible, take clothes out as soon as the dryer stops to prevent wrinkles. If your dryer has one, use the refresh button to spin them every so often until you can get to them. If you are able, hanging clothes outside can reduce wrinkles and save electricity. Leave hangers in your laundry room so that they are easily accessible. These steps may save a lot of ironing time.

Laundry is a fact of life, but it doesn't have to be a headache. Once you take the initial steps to get it organized, it isn't hard to keep it that way. You just have to make sure that every family member knows the new system. Once they do, I'm sure you will see a difference.

Home Organization Tips to Help You Get a Handle on Laundry

Dryer Duct Cleaning

Dryer Vent Cleaning

Most people do not think of dryer vent cleaning as a serious matter. Yet, as many as 15,000 fires start every year as a result of dryer lint build up. Furthermore, dryers with clogged vents waste costly energy and take longer to dry your clothes. Fortunately, keeping your dryer vent clean is easy and inexpensive.

dryer duct cleaning tools

Cleaning your dryer's lint trap after every laundry load will reduce the risk of fire by as much as 90 percent. But dangerous and costly clogs can develop in the flexible duct between the dryer and wall, or in the duct inside the wall. In fact, clogs in these areas may actually reduce the amount of lint you find in the trap. Other signs of clogged ducts include hot laundry loads that remain wet, increased time needed to dry clothes, and increased external dryer temperature.

Dryer Duct Cleaning

To avoid hazardous and inefficient build up, it is recommended that you clean your dryer's ducts once a year or whenever you suspect a problem. Done properly, it is not a difficult procedure. It requires unplugging the dryer, disconnecting the exhaust tube from both the unit and the wall and cleaning out both the tube and the in-wall duct with a vacuum and a dryer brush.

If you are not handy with appliances, or are worried about properly disconnecting and reconnecting the dryer equipment, you can hire a professional service to clean your dryer vent ducts for you. Shop around and get several estimates, as the price for duct cleaning can range from to more than 0, depending on what services are offered.

If you decide to clean the ducts yourself, be sure to use the correct tools. A strong vacuum cleaner such as a shop-vac will do much of the work, but you will also need to use a specialized dryer brush or auger with a flexible pole that can reach around corners within the wall. You will also likely need some attachments for your vacuum and power drill.

There are also several dryer cleaning kits on the market for today's DIY homeowner. The kits include all the items you need for the job plus a few helpful vacuum adapters and power drill attachments. These kits are generally priced around to .

Dryer vent cleaning is not complicated, but it can save you money in energy costs, and possibly save your life by preventing a laundry room fire. Whether you do it yourself, buy a kit, or hire a professional, it is important to keep your dryer vent clean.

Dryer Vent Cleaning

Dryer Duct Cleaning

Clothes Dryer Repair and Cleaning

You can do two other things with a clothes dryer apart from drying clothes: cleaning and repairing the machine if it breaks down. A clothes dryer is a home appliance, and like your typical home appliance, it needs regular cleaning and maintenance if you want it to do a good job. Clothes dryers are sturdy machines, but that's not saying they don't choke and break down sometimes, because they do. Put your helmet on because it's time to do a little cleaning and repairing.

dryer duct cleaning equipment

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), clothes dryers are responsible for around 15,500 fires annually.

Dryer Duct Cleaning

It is obvious then that you should take good care of your clothes dryer. Continuous use of this appliance allows lint to build up in the machine and along the walls of the hose, where the water drains out. Not cleaning the machine and allowing lint to accumulate over long periods of time, according to the CPSC, cause the clothes dryer to overheat, increasing the chances of starting a fire.

Clean the clothes dryer regularly and make sure to remove all traces of lint stuck in the lint filter. Also, improper venting can cause damage to the machine. A clogged clothes dryer shows the following symptoms: long drying times, noisy operation, clothes that are still damp and hot even after drying, and non-functioning automatic sensors.

Most problems with clothes dryers are related to the heat source or the motor that tumbles the clothes. One way or the other, it isn't a very good idea to just open up the machine and start poking the parts every which way-you need a professional repair man to do this. These guys will troubleshoot and repair the problem for a small price, free if covered by the warranty. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Clothes Dryer Repair and Cleaning

Dryer Duct Cleaning

Cleaning Dryer Vents - Tips To Prevent A House Fire!

Make It A Ritual!

dryer duct cleaning kit

If part of your household maintenance plan does not include cleaning dryer vents then it should. Every year there are over 15,000 home fires caused by dryer fires with over 300 injuries and leading to 30 deaths. Not cleaning dryer vents also causes 90 million dollars in damages in the United States alone. Based on these statistics, it is important for every homeowner to be aware of the recommendations and procedures for cleaning dryer vents that will keep them safe and comfortable in their home for years to come. Take a look at these important questions about cleaning dryer vents and facts to consider when you are deciding how to do it, when to do it, and who should do it.

Dryer Duct Cleaning

What Are Clues Your Dryer Vent Needs Cleaning?

If your dryer is taking longer to dry a load than it used to, then the vents may need cleaning. As a general rule, dryer vents should be cleaned every six months. A simple reminder is to start cleaning dryer vents the same day you change your clocks for daylight savings.

What Is The Purpose Of Cleaning Dryer Vents?

As your clothes dry, they produce lint, and the lint trap doesn't catch all of the lint that goes through your dryer. By cleaning dryer vents that are outside of the lint trap, you are removing this excess lint.

Where Are The Dryer Vents?

When cleaning dryer vents, you need to make sure you clean the vent located at the rear of your dryer, as well as the route of the piping to the outside of your home.

Should I Clean My Vents On My Own?

You can easily hire someone, or if you are comfortable and willing to purchase the proper tools, you can easily clean the dryer vents yourself. You can find tools at hardware and home improvement stores, or online made specifically for cleaning dryer vents. When cleaning dryer vents, you will need a circular or horizontal brush that is on the end of a plastic/metal pole or durable line. Ask a professional to help you find the best tool to match your dryer's needs and shape.

Take this simple step towards fire prevention in your home that will go a long way toward keeping your family safe.

Cleaning Dryer Vents - Tips To Prevent A House Fire!

Dryer Duct Cleaning

Dyer Vent Cleaning - Prevent a Fire by Cleaning Your Dryer Vent

Did you know--- Only 60% of the lint is captured in the lint trap of residential and commercial clothes dryers. The other 40% is vented outside. Over time, the damp lint accumulates to the inside of the duct. The result is like a clogged pipe that becomes more restricted over time which can cause a fire hazard! According to the National Fire Protection Association, 16,000 fires start in the laundry room each year.

dryer duct cleaning equipment

Also, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates more than 84.4 million in property damage annually. This is a reality that needs to be taken seriously. The State Fire Marshal recommends that your dryer vent be cleaned or inspected once a year to ensure your safety.

Dryer Duct Cleaning

Here are some signs your dryer vent might need cleaning:

If it takes longer than one cycle for your clothes to dry, or the clothes are very hot after drying, this is a good sign your vent needs cleaning. If the clothes have a musty smell after drying. If your dryer shuts off or stops during a cycle, the element may be getting too hot from the duct restriction. If there is a great deal of lint escaping from the back of the dryer. If the outside vent has lint covering the outside of the vent cover.
Here are the benefits of a clean dryer vent:

Reduce laundry drying times Avoid dryer element replacement costs Improve the quality of dried clothes Save money on utility bills Prevent a dryer fire! So, how do you go about cleaning your dryer vent. Here are the steps if you plan to do it yourself.

1. Get the right tools. For this job you will need a shop vac and extension hose of at least 10 to 15 feet, depending on the length of the dryer vent outside to your dryer. Next, you will need a flexible cable with a brush on the end (can be found online) to snake through the duct, and finally, a dust mask and gloves to protect yourself from the airborne lint.

2. Disconnect your dryer from the flexible duct and clean the back of the dryer and any lint that has accumulated under the dryer. Check the flexible duct and replace it with a new one if it is damaged or has holes. The first part of the process will involve running the flexible cable and vacuum from the inside of the house by your dryer. The second part of the process involves the same thing only from the outside by your dryer vent that goes to the outside.

3. Run the flexible snake with brush through the dryer vent duct as far as you can go, be careful not to push past any turns or angles that might cause the cable to get stuck in the ductwork, otherwise you will have a difficult time getting it out. Vacuum out the loose lint with the shop vac and hose. Run the hose as far into the duct as you can go.

4. Locate where your dryer vents to the outside of the house. Remove any dryer vent hardware to access the duct.

5. Repeat the process from the outside, running your flexible cable into the duct (toward the dryer) and vacuum out the loose lint. Follow this by hooking the dryer back up to the flexible duct inside the house and turn the dryer on, any remaining lint will blow out of the duct. Finally, replace any hardware on the outside of the house.

You may be surprised by the amount of lint you vacuum out. In some cases you might remove several POUNDS of lint. In any case, you will save yourself the chance of a fire disaster, and keep your dryer running smooth for years to come.

Dyer Vent Cleaning - Prevent a Fire by Cleaning Your Dryer Vent

Dryer Duct Cleaning