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I love this! A positive spin on laundry :)

Ha ha ha ha! So true!

What You Don’t Know Could Be Ruining Your Dryer... And I’m Not Talking About Cleaning the Lint Screen

Most laundry doers know that they are supposed to clean out the lint trap every time they use their dryer, but here’s what they don’t know: you are supposed to

#dryerventcleaning #homesafeventcleaning #HomeSafeDryerVentCleaning

Testimonial Tuesday

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Ever wonder why your dryer takes more than one cycle to dry clothes?

Imagine how long it would take for your dryer to push all the hot wet air to the outside of your home if this bird’s nest was blocking the way.

If your dryer isn’t drying clothes in one cycle its probably not your dryer’s fault, it could be lint build up inside the vent or a bird nest or a host of other problems.

Call HomeSafe Dryer Vent Cleaning out to fix the problem, we have seen it all and we fix everything the right way. 214.681.9848 or schedule online here. We service the entire Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.

#BirdinDryerVent #DryerVentCleaning #HomeSafeDryerVentCleaning

Spring Cleaning: Don’t Forget The Dryer Vent!

Spring is here! Well, it has been here for about a month now. And with spring comes “spring cleaning”. I’ll be the first to admit that I am NOT a “spring cleaner”, I admire those that are, but I just haven’t hopped on the spring cleaning train yet.

I read blogs that include checklists for spring cleaning, they include things like cleaning blinds, washing windows and screens, deep cleaning baseboards and walls. There is one thing that I think should be added to this deep cleaning list. Cleaning this one thing will make your house cleaner and safer AND it will make your laundry get done faster too! Your dryer vent!!!

Lint builds up inside dryer vents and it clogs things up, which is not only a fire hazard, but makes it hard for your poor dryer to keep up with the laundry. If you notice your dryer takes more than one cycle to fully dry your clothes then you need to add dryer vent cleaning to your spring cleaning list this year.

If your dryer is by an exterior wall then you may be lucky and have a short vent that you can clean yourself. But if your dryer is vented through the roof or is in the middle of your house and has more than a few feet of duct work you are going to need to call a professional out, who is equipped to get the job done right.

Find a company that specializes in dryer vent cleaning, knows the building codes, who is insured and has good reviews.

Put dryer vent cleaning on your spring cleaning list. Give HomeSafe Dryer Vent Cleaning a call today, or schedule on our website and we can help you out, it’s our pleasure. 214.681.9848 www.HomeSafeVentCleaning.com

#dryerventcleaning #homesafeventcleaning #springcleaning

Oh how true this is!!!

#1st world problems

Humane Ways to Trapping Mice and Rats Inside Vents

Pests, especially mice and rats, can often make their way into your dryer vent. This remains true even if you take the necessary precautions. But don’t get us wrong! We aren’t saying that you should just let it happen. What we’re telling you is that you’ll never be able to totally eliminate the problem, but you can definitely minimize it to a significant extent.

The need to get rid of these pests is a given, but what is the best way of doing so? While there are quite a few ways to get rid of mice and rats, things can get pretty difficult, especially if you want to get rid of them in a humane way. However, there is one major advantage to trapping pests instead of killing them—you won’t have to worry about a dead animal decomposing inside your dryer vent, as that’ll surely stink up your home.

So how do you remove mice and rats from vents without killing them? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Use an Electronic Pest Deterrent

Placing an electronic pest deterrent near your dryer vent can be one of the most effective ways of keeping out mice and rats. Although many people doubt the veracity of the product’s claims, with the proper use—considering things such as location, obstacles, and realistic expectations—electronic pest deterrents can work wonders.

2. Applying Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is a great natural deterrent, which works by emitting an intense smell that drives away mice and rats. One of the most popular methods of using peppermint oil to deter mice is soak up the oil in cotton balls and place the cotton balls near potential entry points. Be warned however that cotton balls can pose a significant fire hazard. What you can do instead is to substitute cotton balls for non-flammable paper.

3. Placing Snake Droppings

While it’s not advisable to place snake droppings inside the vent itself, you may do so at the exits. Mice become terrified at the smell of snake excrement for obvious reasons. Once a mouse sees or smells snake excrement, it’s guaranteed to scurry off to an apparently safer location. While this may not be the most sanitary method, it’s definitely a very effective one.

When all else fails, you could try opting for more traditional, yet intrusive methods. But you honestly wouldn’t want a dead rodent inside your vent, so it’s best to have it regularly inspected and cleaned by a professional. If you need some expert advice on how to keep hazards out—as well as how to tidy up your vent—then go for a vent cleaning service. It’ll make your life significantly easier.

#peppermint oil #pest deterrent #snake droppings #dryer vent cleaning

A Toxic Dryer Vent: Things to Look Out For

Aside from being a potential fire hazard, a poorly maintained dryer vent can also pose serious dangers to your health and home. A toxic dryer vent, for instance, is considered by many to be a silent killer.

You may not know this, but your dryer exhaust can spew out toxic substances which could potentially be harmful to you and your family. Though you may not be able to completely avoid toxicity, there are some measures you can take to at least minimize its effects.

What can you do to help minimize toxic fumes? These methods may help lessen the problem.

1. Look Out for Excess Moisture. Moisture from fabric conditioner and laundry detergent can dampen the ducts and contribute to unnecessary wear and tear. In terms of toxicity, the mixture can potentially result in toxic fumes getting released into the air. Obviously, you don’t want any of that! So, the best thing you can do is clean the ducts and inspect the vent periodically to make sure the dryer vent is still properly attached to the dryer. Doing this will ensure that toxic fumes are kept inside the vent and out of your home.

2. Separate Natural Fabrics from Synthetic Fabrics. Most synthetic fabrics produce various chemical reactions when they’re in laundry, so it’s best to separate them from natural fabrics in the drying process. One popular option is to have them dry in the sun instead of using your dryer.

3. Be Wary of Carbon Monoxide. It’s impossible to see or smell carbon monoxide, which is the primary reason why it poses such a great danger to humans. The best thing you can do is to ensure the dryer vent is working properly, and all fumes actually get pushed out of the house. You may also want to move your dryer far from family rooms to minimize the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

4. Never Use the Dryer Exhaust to Heat the House. Vapor from dryers is expelled out into the open for a good reason. You don’t want to poison your home with unwelcome fumes that could put your household at a very serious health risk. The fumes could get trapped in furniture, appliances, and household features, where they could linger for prolonged periods of time when the chemical concentration in your home increases.

Always remember to put your safety first! While dryer vents are incredibly useful, you should always be prudent enough to know what you should do to prevent any unnecessary risk to you and your loved ones.

#toxic dryer vent #dryer vent cleaning

How to Keep Cold Air Out from Your Dryer Vent

Draft entering your home through an open dryer vent is a common problem among homeowners, especially during cold season or for those who live in cooler climates. Since the exhaust connects directly out to the house’s exterior, it’s natural for cold air to seep in from the outside. Moreover, this problem won’t just affect one or two rooms. Chances are that it will affect the overall temperature of your home. In such a case, it’ll be more difficult to keep your place warm.

This can be frustrating, especially when you don’t want to keep your heater on for long. Most homeowners who find themselves in this predicament often feel lost, having no idea what the source of the problem is, let alone a solution.

Fortunately, you’ve found the right article. Here are a few simple ways to keep cold air from sneaking in through your dryer vent.

1. Check for Gaps and Small Holes

While your vent may be well-positioned, there might be some gaps in the duct which allow draft to come in. In this case, The best thing you can do is to examine your vent carefully and inspect it for openings. Not only will sealing the gaps prevent cold air from entering, but it also makes your dryer vent last longer.

2. Install a Dryer Vent Seal

If sealing off rogue gaps and small openings isn’t enough, you might want to take a look at the vent outlet next to see if it is sealed up well. You can solve this problem by getting a dryer vent seal, which is specially designed to prevent cold air from coming in and help warm air get pushed out. It does this by having a cap that remains closed while the vent is not in use and flips open when it starts expelling air.

3. Clean Your Dryer Vent

If you tried the above solutions, but still can’t seem to keep the cold air out. There may simply be too much lint in the vent, preventing the door or flapper from closing. In this case, your first step should be to check for signs of debris that’s keeping the door unhinged. Remove any traces of lint that may be caught in it. You should also keep the door or flapper lubricated with a silicon spray to prevent another potential lint buildup in the future.

Keeping the cold out not only benefits you in terms of comfort, but can also extend the life of your dryer vent and prevent more serious problems from developing in the future. If you’re still having problems with your vent, then you may want to contact a dryer vent expert to help you out.

#dryer vent seal #dryer vent cleaning

How to Keep Critters Out of Dryer Vents: Some General Measures

An animal getting into your dryer vent may sound like a small problem, but it can actually pose a serious danger to you, your family, and your home. This is particularly true if they’re allowed to nest inside of the vent. As a homeowner, this is one thing that you definitely need to consider if you want to prevent some serious trouble in the near future.

The safety and efficiency of your dryer vent relies on how well it does its job. And since an animal getting into your vent will significantly affect that, it’s pretty obvious that you need to do everything that you can to prevent it. Fortunately, here are some tips that will help you do just that.

1. Consider Vent Size and Diameter

Most providers would recommend keeping the diameter of the duct as large as the outlet, ideally around 4”. It is recommended that the duct should not exceed 25 feet.

2. Use a Dryer Vent Closure

This may well be the most obvious measure you can take, but some homeowners still neglect placing a closure on the vent’s exhaust outlet. Installing a closure is a simple and effective way to keep animals and other elements out, preventing quite a few serious risks to your dryer vent.

3. Secure Joints with a Metal Tape

Metal tape provides better sealing than screws or rivets. Unlike the aforementioned alternatives, using metal tape allows you to cover up small gaps that tiny critters may find their way into. What’s more is that they’re durable enough to withstand any form of gnawing or pecking.

4. Keep a Dedicated Vent for your Dryer

While it may be tempting to connect your dryer vent to another vent to save work, the specs might differ in a lot of ways, especially since dryer vents serve a specific purpose. Attaching it to another vent will make your system more prone to otherwise preventable hazards.

If you follow all of the steps outlined above, you will significantly reduce your chances of having animals crawl into your dryer vent. However, if you still have doubts on what to do, you might as well call experts like us, who offer dryer vent cleaning services. We are more than happy to help you out with your needs!

#dryer vent hose #Dryer Vent Cleaning

How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Vent

An obstructed dryer vent is a nuisance to say the least. When lint and other debris clog up your vent, it can cost you anything from a few extra dollars on your electric bill to a burned down house. In fact, some studies have suggested that clogged dryer vents can increase your cost per load of laundry by $0.50 to $3.00. Now, let’s consider that study together with the results of a survey conducted on 2,500 Whirlpool customers. According to this survey, over 75 percent of the participants do about 9 loads of laundry per week. So, assuming that you do 9 loads of laundry per week with a clogged dryer vent, you’ll need to pay an extra $4.50 to $27.00 per week. Since there are 52 weeks in a year, that will sum up to an additional $234 to $1,404 per year -- that is, if you don’t burn down your house first!

In other words, an obstructed dryer vent isn’t just a nuisance, it’s also an additional expense and a significant risk to you and your household. Fortunately, you can avoid the disadvantages of a clogged dryer vent easily enough by investing in routine maintenance. We refer to this as an investment simply because you need to spend a significant amount of time, effort, and money into a task that ultimately benefits you.

There are two ways to go about the cleaning process, you can either do it yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. If you go with the former option, you’ll need to invest time and effort in the process itself, as well as money in the tools and equipment you’ll need to get the job done. On the other hand, if you opt for the latter, you can do away with the time and effort, but you’ll need to spend more money. Moreover, you can also avoid costly do-overs by making sure that everything gets done right the first time around. If your dryer is not along an exterior wall with a short dryer vent we don’t typically recommend a DIY attempt. We have fished many flimsy DIY kits out of dryer vents. We have seen DIY kits compact the lint against an elbow or termination hood, causing an even worse problem. And we have seen dryer vents come apart at the seems from DIY jobs. So if your vent is long, has many, or any, turns or goes through the roof, we would definitely recommend you call a professional to get the job done right. Whether you choose to DIY or you choose to call a professional, to get the most out of them, they need to get done at the right time.

So, when is a good time to clean your dryer vent? Most experts believe that routine maintenance should be done at least once a year. However, if there are warning signs that tell you that your vent needs to be cleaned immediately, then by all means, go ahead and do it (or have it done). These warning signs include extended drying time, excessive heat on the clothes and dryer, and a burning stench inside or near the dryer.

#dryer vent maintenance

How to Ensure Smooth Airflow in Dryer Vents

There are times when dryer vents can get clogged up to such an extent that the airflow itself becomes affected. This causes numerous problems that could range from minor annoyances to major fire hazards. Aside from clogged up vents, there may also be other causes of reduced airflow in dryer vents. In most cases however, having your dryer vent cleaned will solve effectively solve the airflow problem.

Although having your vent professionally cleaned is widely considered as the best option in these situations, there are also a number of do-it-yourself measures that you can take to not only improve the airflow, but also make your dryer vent work much more efficiently and last much longer than it otherwise would.

Here are some things you can do to make your dryer vent work smoothly.

1. Using the Dryer in a Humid Location. First thing you need to consider is if you’ve placed your dryer in a heated location. Cold can easily dry out your vent, which may affect its estimated lifespan and increase the risk of developing other related problems. You also need to make sure that the area is free from other potential dangers, such as pests and extreme weather.

2. Installing a Good Wall Cap. There are exhaust systems on the market that allow air to exit through the walls and then out into the open. Some also come with a cap, which—with enough pressure—levitates as the dryer is turned on. A wall cap makes your vent less susceptible to elements that’ll clog airflow.

3. Cleaning the Filter After Every Use. After using a dryer, it’s best to practice the discipline of cleaning the filter, just to make sure there won’t be any buildup of lint, dust, or any other material that could make the vent less efficient.

4. Using a Booster Fan. If the pressure just isn’t enough for you, you can go for a booster fan available on the market. A booster fan aids in airflow to make sure air courses through the vents smoothly. Getting a booster fan is a quick fix, especially when the pressure just isn’t strong enough.

5. Inspecting and Cleaning Exhaust Ducting. You need to check your exhaust duct at least once a year to thoroughly examine its overall condition. More often than not, this examination will lead you to conclude one thing: you need to clean your vent. Though in retrospect, this may seem like a foregone conclusion if you never really undertook the proper measures for maintenance and care.

There are many other ways to boost the efficiency of your vent’s airflow. If you’re in doubt, you may contact a dryer vent cleaner to help you out!

#exhaust ducting #dryer vent

Why DIY Dryer Vent Cleaning Is A Bad Idea

Some people, especially seasoned DIYers, probably look at a clogged dryer vent and think, “Eh. I could probably clean this myself.” Well, we apologize for dashing your hopes of saving a few dollars, but this is definitely not the case. While you may be able to clean up the superficial lint and debris, there’s much more to the process than that. To be specific, you will need to perform the following steps properly if you want to have a clean and fully functional dryer vent.

Always put your safety first, so before anything else unplug the dryer. After all, nobody wants to get a nasty electric shock. This is especially true for individuals suffering from some type of heart condition.

1. Carefully pull the dryer away from the wall. Remember that its weight may significantly affect how difficult it will be to move around. Do not be rough with it. Otherwise, you’ll run the risk of damaging the moving parts and other important pieces.

2. Remove the hose connecting the dryer and vent.

3. Get yourself a powerful vacuum (preferably one designed for industrial use) and suck up all the debris clogging the vent, but the lint won’t just come out with suction, you’ll need a brush, attached to flexible rods, attached to a very powerful drill to physically brush to sticky lint from the vent and then be sucked up into the vacuum.

4. You will also need to check and clean the exterior termination of your dryer vent If you dryer vent terminates on the roof, you will need to climb up there and check for a screen. If there is a screen you will need to remove it, as it prevents lint from escaping during normal drying (builders often forget to remove them, but it is against code to have a screen on a dryer vent termination) If you vent terminates on the side of your house you may need a ladder to check for a screen and remove it. You may have to detach your vent cover and reattach it... make sure you have caulk.

5. You will need to be prepared for the unexpected: birds nest inside vents, broken booster fans, misaligned dryer vents, vents made out of improper materials, vents saturated with water, critters living in your vent, and more fun surprises. You will need to brush up on your building codes as well.

6. Clean the lint trap and the back of the dryer. No, a quick swipe just won’t do. You’ll need to vacuum up the dirt and give it a thorough wash to clean everything off.

7. Reattach the hose connecting the dryer and vent(this is trickier than it sounds). Make sure you have a flame retardant hose. Afterwards, push the dryer back into its original position.

8. Plug your dryer back in. Test your system to see if everything is working properly.

If you want to enjoy all the great benefits of having a well-maintained dryer vent, then you will need to invest time, effort, and money into the cleaning process. Fortunately, you also have the option of saving both time and effort at the expense of spending a little more money.

By hiring a professional dryer vent cleaning service to do the job for you, you’ll not only be able to save the time and effort involved in a DIY project, you’ll also be able to avoid the inherent risks of amateur cleaning. So, if you want to get the job done quickly, properly, and conveniently, get in touch with a dryer vent cleaning service today.

#diy dryer repair #dryer vent cleaning

Why You Shouldn’t Use Foil Vents

Dryer vents mostly come in two materials, namely: aluminum foil and metal. Although you still see foil being used in dryer vents all over the country, most experts agree that the material is significantly more hazardous than metal. Hence, most dryer vent manufacturers have advised the public against the use of aluminum foil.

While foil is more flexible and easier to install, here are some reasons why we discourage the use of foil.

1. It gathers more lint

Not only does lint block the path of the exhaust, but it also serves as a fire hazard. Foil just isn’t streamlined enough to keep lint out. Although you could argue that you can simply clean the lint up, you also have to consider the fact that constant cleaning would make the vent much more difficult and impractical to maintain.

2. The ripples cause wind turbulence

Speaking of not being streamlined enough, foil vents can form multiple ripples that cause wind turbulence which affects the efficiency of the exhaust. Bad airflow could actually degrade the vent in the long run, and it might also carry some risks stemming from the turbulence.

3. It’s a fire hazard in itself

Foil vents catch fire easily and could may well become a culprit whenever your house catches fire. Foil is like kindling made of metal—except it isn’t really metal at all. It’s too soft and fragile, easily withering away as fire makes its way to it.

4. It can easily be punctured

You can take a pair of scissors and start cutting away on a foil vent, just to see how easy it is to cut through. Factors such as the weather, animals, and perhaps even humans could damage the vent very easily. If this happens, it could bottleneck the airflow, which again, could lessen the dryer vent’s efficiency.

5. Metal vents are just more efficient

No matter what people say, metal is just the more practical choice when it comes to dryer vents. A metal vent is more streamlined, more robust, and is, in fact, easier to clean. If it’s flexibility you’re looking for, then you may want to check out flexible metal vents for good measure.

Do take note that it’s not just about the material you’re using, but also your willingness to maintain the vent. However, metal does clearly have the upper hand over foil vents. You’ll have fewer problems in the future and it could save you, your home, and your family.

#foil dryer vents #just say no

Top 3 Signs That Your Dryer Vent Needs Cleaning

A house fire is undoubtedly one of the most devastating things that could ever happen to you and your family. Fortunately, most house fires can easily be prevented by taking the proper precautionary steps. For example, according to a study conducted by the National Fire Protection Association in 2010, over 15 thousand house fires in the US were caused by maintenance issues with one simple household appliance: the clothes dryer.

Over time, lint, pieces of cloth, and other debris will eventually clog your dryer vent, especially if it was improperly designed or installed. The buildup drastically reduces the airflow in the vent, backing up the exhaust, and ultimately causing a fire. The good news is that this hazard can easily be avoided by annually inspecting and cleaning your vents. What’s even better is that these routine maintenance procedures will not only decrease your chances of a house fire, they’ll also improve your dryer’s overall efficiency, putting money back into your pocket.

Now that’s all well and good, but how do you know it’s time to conduct regular maintenance? The machine itself should let you know. Here are the top 3 warning signs that your dryer vent needs cleaning:

1. It takes significantly longer to dry your clothes.

As said before, when your dryer vent is clogged by debris, the exhaust will be backed up, causing the airflow to significantly decrease. But considering the fact that a dryer works by pushing out hot air to dry clothes, a clogged exhaust will cause the air to stay inside the machine and keep clothes moist. Consequently, your dryer will need to two or three times longer to do its job. The additional workload will not only reduce your dryer’s estimated lifespan, but also considerably increase your electric bill.

2. The dryer and clothes are excessively hot.

While you can reasonably expect the dryer and clothes inside it to be hot, they shouldn’t be excessively hot. If you’re experiencing this problem, it’s a sure sign that the exhaust isn’t working properly. There could be something wrong with the machine, but more often than not, it’s because the dryer vent is already clogged up.

3. You smell something burning

If you smell something burning, turn off your dryer immediately! There’s probably a lot of hot lint in the dryer exhaust. Lint is extremely flammable and the hot air being pumped out of the exhaust can easily cause it to catch fire. Do not attempt to use your dryer if the problem has worsened to this degree.

#dryer fire #dryer vent cleaning

Top 3 Benefits of Cleaning Your Dryer Vent

Can you guess how many loads of laundry get done in the US each year? According to a study conducted by Procter & Gamble, the average household does approximately 600 loads per year. In a separate study conducted on Whirlpool customers, it was suggested that over 75 percent of 2,500 survey participants do approximately 9 loads per week. Whichever study we go on, that’s still a lot of laundry! And because it seems like such a routine task, many people don’t bother to think about the machines that wash and dry their clothes. For example, it’s more than likely that you haven’t given much thought to your dryer vent in the last few months.

Though most people know that they need to clean out the lint filter after every use, not many know that the lint can also end up in the dryer’s vent system. Now, this may not seem like too big of a deal at first, but over time, the lint and other debris will slowly build up, block the exhaust, and cause a number of problems for your household. To avoid these problems, all you need to do is periodically clean out your dryer vents. Here are some of the benefits to regular dryer vent cleaning:

1. Reduces the risk of house fires.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), lint is one of the leadings causes of house fires in the US. In fact, a study conducted by the association for the period of 2007 to 2011 has reported that lint has caused over 15,000 house fires, $216 million in property damage, 450 injuries, and 30 deaths -- all of this was essentially caused by the homeowner’s failure to regularly clean their dryer vents.

2. Lower electric bills.

Your dryer works by using hot air to push moisture out of clothes. However, if lint is allowed to build up in your dryer vent, it will eventually clog up the exhaust and reduce the airflow in the vent. This keeps the hot air and moisture inside the dryer and on your clothes. Consequently, your dryer will have to work twice or thrice as hard to dry the same amount of clothes.

3. Increased dryer life.

For the same reasons as above, your dryer will need to work harder if lint is allowed to block the dryer vent. Running the dryer for a longer length of time will not only result in a larger electric bill, but also worse wear-and-tear and a shorten estimated lifespan.

#Dryer Vent Cleaning

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