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"Failure To Clean"
is the #1
contributing factor to clothes dryer fires.*
*(Source: U.S. Fire Administration
National Fire Data Center, Jan. 2007)
Why Clean Your Clothes Dryer Vent?
Safety Concerns
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Lint and debris can build up in the clothes dryer vent blocking air flow and creating potentially hazardous
conditions including the possibility for an exhaust fire or carbon monoxide intrusion (gas clothes dryers).
“The U.S. Fire Administration, National Fire Data Center reports that there are over 12,700 home fires per year
associated with clothes dryer fires resulting in 15 deaths and 300 injuries, and 88 million dollars in property loss.”*
Along with the water vapor evaporated from the wet clothes, the exhaust stream carries lint – highly flammable
particles of clothing made of cotton and polyester – through the ventilation duct. Lint can accumulate in the
exhaust duct, reducing the dryer’s ability to expel the heated water vapor, which then accumulates as heat
energy within the machine. As the dryer overheats, mechanical failures (thermostat, limit switch, damaged screen,
or crushed hose) can trigger sparks which cause the lint trapped in the dryer vent to burst into flames.
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Indoor Air Quality
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A clogged dryer vent does not allow for the clothes dryer to exhaust properly. Gas clothes dryers that become
clogged have the potential to cause Carbon Monoxide to back fill into your home. Carbon Monoxide poisoning
is very dangerous and can be fatal with pro-longed exposure.
The complex construction of new homes built today tends to have dryers located away from an outside wall.
This means dryers tend to be vented longer distances creating more bends in the vent run to accommodate the
extended path they must take through the home. The additional length creates more places for the lint to collect or for animals and birds to hide.
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Dryer Efficiency & Energy Savings
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A restricted dyer vent reduces air flow and causes your dryer to run hotter and longer, substantially impacting
energy efficiency. Excess heat created by poor air flow can ruin your clothes, add dollars to your home’s energy
bill and increase the wear and tear on your appliance. If your dryer takes twice as long to dry clothes as it
should, the number of loads that it will dry in its lifetime is substantially reduced.Having your dryer vent cleaned
helps reduce energy consumption, operating costs and the possibility of a fire.
Dryer vents are often made from flexible plastic or metal duct, which may be easily kinked or crushed where they
exit the dryer and enter the wall or floor. Ducts made of flexible plastic or foil are likely to sag and let lint
build up at low points. Ridges can also trap lint. Screens may be present at the duct termination and can accumulate lint and restrict air flow.
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Dryer Vent Cleaning and Fire Prevention In The News
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YouTube: NBC Today Show: Dryer Fire Prevention
YouTube: NBC News (Home Safety Council Posting)
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Why Call Sears To Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned
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Most homeowners do not have the equipment to clean a dryer vent properly. Our uniformed technicians use the same powerful vacuum equipment for your clothes dryer vent as we do when we clean for a heating/cooling air duct system. Sears professionals use high pressure air and specialized tools to dislodge the dirt and debris from long vent runs, crevices, elbows and bends, cleaning the entire length of the vent from the dryer to the outside of your home.
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What Our Customers Say About Sears Air Duct Cleaning
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For all my Hobbits Glen neighbors who are thinking about having their dryer vents cleaned
see below for why you just might want to get on it!!!!! As it was being blown out I looked
out the window and thought we were having a snow blizzard!! I don't know why we
hadn't already had a fire!! It turned out the duct was not lined up with the outside vent and
the lint was all getting trapped.
FYI, we had a gentleman named Neil with Sears do the job. He was nice, efficient, and gave
us a good deal. He also fixed the vent so it is properly aligned.
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Sears can help improve the indoor
air quality in your home.
A healthy home begins with excellent indoor air quality.
Learn more
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Helps improve the indoor air quality of your home
and helps your HVAC system operate more efficiently.
Learn more
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Tips To Keep Your Clothes Dryer Vent Clean And Working Properly Between Annual Professional Cleanings
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission* recommends that you:
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Clean the lint screen/filter before or after drying each load of clothes.
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Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically.
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Clean behind the dryer, where lint can build up.
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Replace plastic or foil, accordion-type ducting material with rigid or semi-rigid metal duct.
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Take special care when drying clothes that have been soiled with volatile chemicals such as gasoline, cooking oil, cleaning agents or finishing oils and stains.
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Keep the area around the dryer free of clutter.
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The dryer should be vented to the outside of the home, and not under a porch or deck, or a window well.
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Avoid installing a screen at the end of the dryer vent exhaust.
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Having a safety device that tells you when your dryer vent is getting clogged is highly recommended.
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*CPSC Document #5022, Updated June 2003
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Air Duct Cleaning
Most homeowners have no idea what goes on inside their home's air ducts. But the
fact is, they can become littered with years of accumulated dirt, debris and allergens like
pollen, dust and pet dander. By having your air ducts cleaned regularly, you’ll help improve the
indoor air quality in your home, and enhance the efficiency of your heating/cooling system. Research
by the U.S. EPA has shown that air duct cleaning can help your heating and cooling system run more
efficiently by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components. They have stated that a
buildup of 1/16 of an inch of dirt on a heating or cooling coil can result in a decrease in efficiency
of 21%.* Clean, efficient air duct systems are less likely to break down, have a longer life span, and save you money in the long run.
*Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency, The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality. (EPA 402-D-93-007
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
When you have your carpet cleaned by Sears Carpet Cleaners, you have nothing to lose - except carpet stains, spots, odors,
and ground-in dirt and grime. Carpet acts like a giant filter which traps and collects all types of indoor air pollutants.
Cleaning the carpet reduces dust mites, allergens, pet allergens and mold spores, preventing them from returning to the
breathing zone. In fact, the EPA, the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI), and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and
Restoration Certification (IICRC) Carpet Cleaning Standards S100 all state carpeting should be cleaned first for health
and then appearance. Our carpet cleaning is backed by the Sears Guarantee of
Satisfaction and delivered by our professionally trained carpet cleaners.
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