Is there a clothes dryer at your company? If so, you’re facing an unseen danger!
Excess lint and debris can accumulate in the vent pipe of dryers, particularly those used often for commercial purposes. This abundant lint is the most frequent igniting source. God forbid.
Investing in commercial dryer vent cleaning is vital for owners of laundromats as well as those who run apartment complexes, multi-family residential units, and other types of facilities with laundry rooms. We have gathered some advice for you on knowing when to have your vents cleaned.
Secure Your Commercial Dryer Vents
For enhanced efficiency and safety, commercial laundry dryer vents should be cleaned once a year for several reasons.
- Firstly, a clogged or unclean dryer vent might cause a fire. The buildup of lint and other material in the vent can impede airflow, leading to overheating of the dryer. The likelihood of dryer fires brought on by overheated dryers can be decreased by routinely cleaning dryer vents.
- Secondly, cleaning dryer vents can increase the dryer’s effectiveness. The dryer has to work harder to dry clothing when the vent is obstructed by lint and debris, which hinders airflow. This raises energy use and electricity costs, in addition to decreasing the dryer’s efficiency.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that between 2016 and 2020, U.S. fire departments attended to 15,970 residential fires involving washing machines or clothes dryers annually. Thirteen (13) people lost their lives, four hundred and forty-five (445) were injured, and $238 million worth of property was damaged in these fires. To keep fires at bay and the dryer operating efficiently, the NFPA advises cleaning dryer vents at least once a year.
Also Read: The Importance of Regular Dryer Vent Cleaning for Home Safety
Never Overlook Commercial Dryer Vent Cleaning – But Why?
It is crucial that you not only keep your commercial dryer vents cleaned up but also maintain your machines if you are the owner or operator of a laundromat. Customer health and safety should never be compromised. A buildup of dryer lint in the vents is disastrous for your company and poses a risk to the health and safety of both your customers and staff.
The following factors must be carefully tackled:
- Any laundry facility, commercial or residential, will accumulate dryer lint in their vents. One method to prevent fire threats when using a tumble dryer is to clean the lint traps after each use. However, over time, a small quantity of lint may escape the trap and end up accumulating in the vents. Eventually, it builds up into a big, combustible mass.
- Moreover, due to the restricted airflow caused by the excessive lint, the dryers have to work harder to dry the laundry, which leads to eventual overheating and the lint catching fire.
According to a report issued by the United States Fire Administration (USFA), 2900 dryer fires occur in the US each year, causing $35 million in property damage. These incidents occur far too frequently. Moreover, there is a 78% greater risk of injuries from dryer fires involving commercial dryers than from dryer fires involving homes.
Signs That Urge You for Commercial Dryer Vent Cleaning
There are a few obvious warning indicators that can help you determine whether your commercial dryer vents need to be cleaned.
- It takes longer than usual for clothes to dry.
- The clothing feels abnormally warm to the touch.
- When the dryer is running, the room gets warmer than usual.
- You’ve detected odors that burn.
- There is no lint flap opening.
- You receive a malfunction alert from the dryer.
- Your dryer is extremely hotter than normal while working.
- The last time the vent was cleaned was almost a year ago.
It takes more than just carefully emptying the lint from your dryer to maintain the safety and energy efficiency of your house. There are multiple indicators that lint has entered your vents, raising the possibility of a fire and potentially resulting in higher-than-normal electricity bills.
Also Read: How Often Should a Dryer Vent Be Cleaned
Conclusion
“Every dollar spent in dryer vent cleaning saves $2 or more down the road.”
This golden rule enables us to decide wisely and puts us on the right track, which leads to safety and security. Remember, dryer vent fires can devastate a business, so having experts handle it cleaning reduces your liability.
Regardless of how well you clean your lint filter, particles will ultimately find their way into the vent and begin to clog your system. Every year, at the very least, you should have your dryer vent cleaned by professionals. Pick a time of year that works well for you to remember to finish this task. The spring is a great time to clean.
When was the last time you cleaned your dryer vent? This is a question you should ask yourself, and you should get in touch with us right away. Its Alpha Clean Air has been a renowned and reliable dryer vent cleaning service provider for decades.