Fire Prevention Week: Dryer Vent Safety Every Home Needs

Fire Prevention Week runs October 4 to 10 this year, and most people mark it by testing their smoke alarms. While you are at it, take a look behind your dryer.

Lint burns easily, and your dryer pushes hot air past it every load. When lint builds up in the vent, heat has nowhere to go. Failing to clean lint is a leading factor in dryer fires, so dryer vent fire safety mostly comes down to a few simple habits.

Warning Signs Your Vent Is Clogged

Your dryer usually warns you before it becomes dangerous. Watch for clothes that need more than one cycle to dry.

Other signs include a hot laundry room and an outside vent flap that barely opens. A burning smell means stop now, as covered below.

1. Clean the Lint Screen Every Load

Pull the screen and clear it every single load, not every few.

Every month or two, wash the screen in warm soapy water. Dryer sheets leave a waxy film that blocks airflow even when the screen looks clean. Let it dry fully before putting it back.

2. Vacuum the Lint Trap Housing

Some lint always gets past the screen. Unplug the dryer, then use a narrow vacuum attachment or a long lint brush to reach down into the housing and pull it out.

3. Clean the Vent Duct at Least Once a Year

Unplug the dryer and pull it away from the wall. On a gas dryer, move it gently so you do not strain the flexible gas connector. If the gas line is rigid pipe, leave the dryer in place and call a professional.

Disconnect the duct from the back of the dryer and from the wall. Clean it with a dryer vent brush kit from the hardware store, reaching into the wall section as far as the brush goes. Long vent runs or heavy laundry use call for more frequent cleaning.

4. Replace Plastic or Foil Ducting

The white vinyl and thin foil accordion ducts still found behind many dryers are a hazard. They crush easily, trap lint in their ridges, and vinyl can burn.

Most manufacturers call for rigid or semi-rigid metal duct, in as short and straight a run as possible. Seal the joints with foil tape rather than screws, since screw tips inside the duct catch lint.

5. Check the Outdoor Vent Hood

With the dryer running, go outside. You should feel strong airflow and see the flap open fully. Clear away lint, leaves and nests, and once winter arrives, keep snow away from the opening.

Do not put a screen over a dryer exhaust to keep pests out. Screens catch lint and quickly clog.

6. Use the Dryer When Someone Is Home

Avoid starting a load right before you leave or go to bed. Keep the area around the dryer clear of boxes and clutter. Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every storey of your home and outside sleeping areas, as Ontario requires.

What a Technician Looks For

If the vent is clean and the dryer still runs hot or slow, the problem may be inside the machine. Lint in the cabinet, a worn blower wheel or a failing thermostat all affect how safely it controls heat. Those parts sit behind panels and wiring, so they are technician work.

If you smell burning or see smoke, stop the dryer, unplug it if it is safe to do so, and do not use it again until it has been inspected. If there is fire, get everyone out and call 911. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility from outside.

Book a Dryer Check This Fire Prevention Week

Al's Appliance offers in-home dryer repair in Kitchener and dryer repair in Guelph, with service across Waterloo and Cambridge too. If your dryer is overheating or running long, we can find the cause before it becomes a safety problem.

If it is time to replace it, our Guelph and Kitchener locations carry new, used and scratch and dent dryers, with delivery available. Call 519-824-8828 or visit alsappliance.ca to book your repair.