The Chimney Safety Institute of America cautions the public that
there's a growing fire and carbon monoxide poisoning danger that could
result in unnecessary deaths, injuries or property damage - the
obstruction or improper venting of clothes dryer exhaust ducts.
To combat dryer fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, the CSIA
recommends that homeowners have clothes dryer exhaust ducts professionally inspected
annually - and maintained as necessary.
Dryer Locations
CSIA points out that clothes dryers have historically either been
located in basements or on the main floor of a house and generally
within a short distance from an outside wall. Because of these
logistics, the danger of lint plugging the exhaust duct has been
minimal.
But in today's complex and technologically sophisticated homes, many
clothes dryers could be located in the inner core of the house in
bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and even in hall closets. These new
locations mean dryers need to be vented longer distances and sometimes
even with sharp turns and bends to accommodate the structure of the
home. These complicated systems make exhaust ducts harder to reach and
also create more places where lint can collect and pile up. Because
lint is incredibly flammable it poses a fire risk.
Natural Gas
The availability of natural gas clothes dryers is another reason why
dryer exhaust duct maintenance is necessary. If a gas clothes dryer is
not properly vented, it can cause carbon monoxide to be forced back
into the home and that can be deadly.
Obstructions
In addition to lint obstructions or improper venting, bird's nests or
rodents and bug infestations can also plug up a vent causing potential
fire hazards or carbon monoxide poisonings. Symptoms of a clogged clothes dryer exhaust duct include incomplete
drying of clothes at normal temperatures and very hot dryer
temperatures.
Recommendations
CSIA recommends that clothes dryer exhaust duct inspections be
performed by CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Duct Technicians. I have been formally tested in the proper inspection and
maintenance of clothes dryer exhaust ducts by CSIA. When a I inspect a clothes dryer exhaust duct, I check to make
sure there are no obstructions and if the installation is correct. I
also verify that the correct type of vent is in use. For example, homes
with plastic exhaust ducts are generally upgraded to metal exhaust
ducts.