In our previous posts, we shared valuable insights on maintaining your dryer vent between professional cleanings, the recommended frequency for having your vents serviced by experts, the serious fire risks posed by neglected dryer vents, how a dirty vent could impact your insurance coverage, and the danger of flexible ducts inside your walls.
Today we’ll take a look at another dangerous discovery our technicians have made during a recent routine dryer vent inspection.
Flammable Vent Cover and a Missing Damper
We found a vent cover made from flammable materials and lacking a damper, which significantly elevates the fire risk.
Fire Safety: Dryer vent covers without functional dampers or made of flammable materials like plastic pose a significant fire hazard. Thousands of house fires each year are caused by lint buildup in dryer vents. Metal vent covers with dampers help prevent lint accumulation and the risk of fires.
Ventilation and Airflow: The damper in the vent cover is essential for proper airflow and ventilation of the dryer. It opens when the dryer is running to allow hot, moist air to exhaust outside, and closes when the dryer is off to prevent backdrafts. Restricted airflow can lead to damp clothes, longer drying times, and potential water damage.
Weather Protection: A well-designed metal vent cover with a damper protects against weather elements like rain, snow, and wind that can enter the vent and damage the dryer or interior of the home.
Code Compliance: Having a proper metal vent cover installed on the exterior of the home is required by codes. Failure to comply can result in safety issues.
Durability and Longevity: Metal vent covers are more durable and long-lasting compared to plastic or flimsy alternatives. They are better able to withstand the elements and maintain proper function over time, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
We’ll talk more about interesting discoveries our technicians made during routine dryer vent inspections in the future.
