Installing a dryer vent is a project you can undertake all on your own with just a little help. To get you on your way here are some helpful installation tips.
In addition to cleaning out the accumulation in the venting system, there are other ways to help keep you safe when using your dryer.Lint should be removed from the lint screen before each load of laundry. In addition, the fabric softener pads or sheets are fine to use but they leave a chemical film on the lint screen which will make your dryer harder to exhaust. Every few months, take the lint screen out, bring it to your kitchen sink and wash it with water, liquid dishwashing soap and a tooth brush.Who do you contact to get the venting system brushed out and inspected? Believe it or not, most appliance technicians will only deal with the dryer itself and want nothing to do with what it vents through. Generally the people to contact are chimney sweeps, and it is highly recommended to use one trained as a C-Det Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician if they are in your area.A Cubs fan's work is never done. We constantly have to convince others we aren't stupid -- just stubborn -- for the extraordinary dedication to our team. "Next year" we say with a straight face each October.One of the main causes for buildup in the dryer venting system is from forgetting to pull the pieces of paper, wrappers or Kleenex from the pockets before doing the laundry. Then add to that the hair (human and pet), sand, jewelry, money, and just about anything that you can think of, and you can see what it will lead to. The more of this kind of stuff that can be caught ahead of time and not allowed to get into the dryer, the better. It�s crazy what winds up in there!Once you�ve completed your project check all connections and don�t be afraid to use that duct tape to seal up seams or anywhere where the lint can build over time.Wrap with two to three inches of fiberglass insulation from the ceiling line down. Use your trusty duct tape to attach the insulation.Vicki Estes is a Topeka freelance writer. She can be reached at vaestes@sbcglobal.net.Most dryers now have a safety feature that will either turn the dryer off or turn the dryer�s heat off if it senses that it�s overheating, which will happen when there�s a buildup clogging the venting system. That�s why it takes forever for your clothes to dry--the clothes will keep spinning but there�ll be no heat. This feature is not completely reliable to depend on, and the older dryers are also not as likely to have adequate safety systems which will shut it off or stop the heat.In 1998, the last year reported, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that there were 15,600 fires, resulting in 20 deaths and 370 injuries from dryer fires. The fire hazard, in many cases, is caused by the lint and paper that gets past the lint screen landing inside the dryer below the drum on the dryer floor. Have a qualified appliance repair person out to clean the interior of the dryer several times a year to minimize the chance of fire. Watch how the repair person does this. In some dryers, there�s an access panel in the front of the dryer that can be easily removed so that the homeowner can do this. Clean the lint debris behind the dryer and keep combustible materials away from the dryer as much as possible.
That�s it � your done. It�s really not that difficult after all. Now you can sit back and admire your handy work.
Author: Timothy Mccraney
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