ABC Services in Central Florida

Fall is for Fireplace Facts

ABC Services — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 14:17:00 +0000

Fireplaces can be a great source of heat, but you need to make sure yours is working properly and efficiently in order to be able to heat your home safely. Home fires that stem from fireplaces and chimneys are more common than we would like to think. Ensuring your home and family are protected this fall and winter season is crucial. And not only now, but all year long.

Annual Inspections

Making sure to have your chimney inspected every year by a professional is the first step.. When we inspect your chimney, we look for creosote, which is a black, oily substance that builds up on the walls of your chimney and is extremely flammable. Because of this build up, there is a tremendous risk of combustion and is often a common result of home fires.

Chimney Cleaning/ Sweeping

If there is enough creosote built up, you will need to have your chimney professionally cleaned. When you go through a professional company like us, we always use specialized tools that allow us to remove all of the mess out of the chimney, while keeping it out of your home. If you try to DIY and do this job with a vacuum or another do it yourself remedy, you’ll often find a bigger mess in your living room than in the chimney. Plus, you won’t get the entire chimney very clean at all, and most of what is dangerous, the creosote, will stay.

Fireplace Cleaning

One thing you can do regularly is to clean out your fireplace or wood stove. Clean all of the ashes/dust regularly as well as the shredded papers. When you do this, make sure to get all of the bits with your vacuum or other methods. This will help reduce your risk of fire, and will keep the fire far less smoky. After all, isn’t the goal of a fire to produce heat and be comfortable? It wouldn’t be so comfortable with a lot of smoke!

Cap your Chimney

Having a cap be placed on the top of your chimney has its benefits. First, you’ll keep animals like birds and squirrels from making a home or nest chimney. Another benefit is keeping hydration and water out. Lastly, when you cap your chimney, you don’t need to worry about debris or dust getting in. Leaves and other fallen items can make their way into your chimney, filling it up, and creating extra smoke throughout your house.

Use Common Sense

Don’t leave your fire unattended. Keep your children and pets away from it, and make sure that you have a door blocking the open flame

Following these tips should help you get through the winter safely while keeping your heating bill low!

About ABC Cleaning, Inc. of Orlando, FL

Serving Central Florida since 1992, ABC Cleaning, Inc. has been the acknowledged leader in air duct cleaning, chimney cleaning and dryer vent cleaning. We’re NADCA certified, we consistently invest in and have the most modern equipment and utilize the latest technology available with the best-trained service technicians in all of Orlando. If you need help deciding whether to replace or repair faulty ducts, please contact us at ABC. We provide quality HVAC service throughout Orlando and the surrounding communities. Please give us a call today at 407-477-4302. We are here to help!

The post Fall is for Fireplace Facts appeared first on ABC Services in Central Florida.

Importance of Chimney Cleaning & Maintenance

ABC Services — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:20:00 +0000

Homeowners rarely examine their chimneys apart from a quick glance at the exterior. While a chimney may seem like one home feature that doesn’t require regular maintenance, a closer inspection often reveals otherwise.

Soot and other particulate matter can build up on the interior of your chimney and any blockage can lead to smoke entering your house, or worse. Whether you use your fireplace three times a year or fifty, chimney cleaning needs to be a regular component of your home maintenance efforts. Soot buildup is normal for any chimney. The natural result of burning wood, soot can accumulate on the inner walls of the chimney and on the chimney cap. Over time, this can lead to reduced airflow. A clean chimney has a reduced presence of soot, which means better performance and less risk for smoke intake.

However, it’s not just soot you need to worry about. Creosote is another substance that is often found on the inner walls of chimneys. Another byproduct of smoke, creosote is even more problematic than soot. This is because it is flammable and excessive creosote buildup will not merely reduce the airflow; it can actually start a fire.

If you don’t have a chimney cap, soot and creosote may be the least of your problems. Chimneys without a protective cap often have a problem with debris intake and in some cases, animals can get into the chimney as well. Bird nests have been known to start fires in chimneys. Dry leaves and other debris can pose the same problem. If you don’t have a chimney cap, you will need to have your chimney cleaned even more often than you would need to otherwise.

You may be under the impression that you can easily clean your chimney yourself. There are several reasons why you should hire a professional company. If you attempt to clean your chimney on your own, you may end up with a significant mess and a chimney that is not much cleaner. The removal of substances like creosote often requires the use of special tools that you may not have or know how to use. In addition to cleaning, a professional chimney sweep can assess the structural integrity of your chimney and determine whether there are any physical flaws that need to be fixed.

About ABC Cleaning, Inc. of Orlando, FL

The post Importance of Chimney Cleaning & Maintenance appeared first on ABC Services in Central Florida.

Why A Seeping Chimney Can Cause Long-Term Damage

ABC Services — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 09:22:00 +0000

A seeping chimney is a slow, gradual way of water entering into the home and causing damage slowly, steadily and over time. The seeping chimney damage can range from a minor repair to something far more extensive. However, when it comes to water, it certainly doesn’t play nice with the materials your home is made from, including your chimney.

Let’s take a look at some of the various damage that can occur when your chimney leaks and makes its way to the various part of your home.

Wall Damage

One of the most obvious telltale signs of a water leak from the seeping chimney is wall damage. When it reaches your walls, the paint can peel, the wall can little bubbles or even the drywall can begin to chip away. No different if you have crown molding, wood paneling or other decorative aspects to your walls. Water can make the varnish peel and cause discoloration. When your chimney isn’t inspected each year by a certified technician, these damages can be very expensive to repair.

Mold Growth

Many of us have experienced mold in the bathroom. Why? Because it is a perfect place for mold to grow. You have the perfect main ingredient. Moisture. If a seeping chimney allows for moisture to enter your home, it can create a perfect scenario for mold to grow. Mold can be harmful to your heath, especially if you have health issues such as asthma, allergies or emphysema to name a few. By maintaining a healthy chimney equipped with a chimney crown, chimney cap and a waterproofing solution called Chimney Saver, you can keep moisture out and your health in good shape.

Soft Wood, Walls & More

When water gets at wood or walls, and it drips over time, the wood and wall material turn soft and falls apart. This rotting makes the wood or walls flaky to the touch and can cause structural damage. There’s another issue that comes with rotting wood or water-logged walls…bugs and pests. This is the perfect vacation spot for bugs and pests. Keeping them out of your home is a top priority.

Keep unwanted visitors out of your home by having an inspection on the chimney, the flue and down to the fireplace completed.

What You Can’t See Can Hurt You

One way to ensure wall damage, mold spores and deteriorating wood and walls don’t happen is to get a yearly inspection on the chimney. Whether you have a gas or wood-burning fireplace, use it all the time or not, rain water is still active trying to find its way into your home. Don’t give it that chance. Keep on top of it with a yearly inspection

About ABC Cleaning, Inc. of Orlando, FL

The post Why A Seeping Chimney Can Cause Long-Term Damage appeared first on ABC Services in Central Florida.

Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

ABC Services — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 20:32:00 +0000

While you may not be able to control your air quality outdoors or at your place of work, the choices you make inside your home have a direct impact on the quality of the air you breathe. Below will explain how you can improve the quality of the air your family breathes by removing potential pollutants, increasing ventilation, and making good air quality choices.

Common Indoor Air Pollutants and Their Sources

While many household items can cause indoor air pollution, some of the most dangerous and most common are:

Asbestos: toxic fire-retardant found in older homes and businesses. Its presence can cause fatal lung disease.
Biological pollutants: pollen, animal dander, and dust mites.
Lead (Pb): Often found in paint, lead can be present in wall paint and paint on old toys. While we typically think of led paint exposure as ingestion, it may contaminate the air during paint removal or renovation. If exposed for long periods, lead can be extremely harmful and cause long-term health and developmental problems.
Wood Smoke: From indoor wood-burning fireplaces in a home release fine-particle matter that’s small enough to enter the lungs and cause coughing or induce asthma.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): A group of chemical compounds commonly found in paints, waxes, varnishes, and cleaning solutions. VOCs emit gasses which have been liked to both short- and long-term health conditions.
Pesticides: Rated for interior or exterior residential use, or used on neighboring farm fields and commercial entities, pesticides aren’t just toxic to insects and rodents, but people too.
Radon (Rn): A radioactive gas that is also odorless and colorless. Most commonly found in basements, sometimes at levels that can cause lung cancer. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking.
Tobacco Smoke: Not only is tobacco smoke a risk to the smoker, but tobacco smoke may also stain your home and expose your loved ones to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

It’s unlikely that anyone would seek to buy a product that is a known pollutant. The problem is that many common building materials, cleaning solutions, and even time-honored traditions like enjoying a wood burning fireplace, may pose a risk to your pulmonary health.

Reduce Indoor Air Pollution

Because harmful ingredients are found in popular household products and common building materials and furnishings, it’s vital for homeowners to read ingredients labels, research new purchases, find trustworthy suppliers, and always ask questions.

How to Prevent Indoor Air Pollution

It’s difficult to avoid all potential indoor air pollutants, but homeowners can take steps to limit their exposure by:

Having homes built before 1980 inspected for asbestos and lead paint before beginning any renovations.
Equipping homes with carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
Having homes inspected for radon at the time of purchase.
Always using low-VOC and nontoxic paints, waxes, varnishes, glues, and cleaning materials according to the manufacturer’s instructions and in a well-ventilated space.
Buying furniture, carpeting, rugs, drapery, and insulation that’s made with nontoxic materials and doesn’t off-gas fumes.
Purchasing or making your own nontoxic laundry detergents, fabric softeners, surface cleaning products, etc.
Investing in a high-quality air purifier and replacing air filters quarterly.
Maintaining an appropriate level of humidity throughout your home.

Why Eliminating Common Sources of Indoor Air Pollution is Important

Indoor air pollution may cause irritation, shortness of breath, or aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions. Long-term exposure to poor indoor air can cause more severe problems, affecting your heart, causing chest pain, and reducing resistance to infections. It’s critical for the health of yourself and household to not only improve indoor air quality but to prevent future pollution. Prioritize your home’s IAQ, and you will breathe easier—literally!

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality at Home

With so much time spent indoors, you want to have the best air quality possible. While many homeowners have pets and wood-burning fireplaces, there are ways to mitigate some air quality repercussions.

To keep your air as pure as possible, you should:

Engage in professional mitigation of dangerous or damaged materials, including those damaged by smoke or water.
Change your AC, furnace, and humidifier filters regularly (at least once per quarter.
Have your air ducts professionally cleaned.
Improve home ventilation and have gas-fired home appliances (stoves, furnaces, heaters, dryers) maintained yearly by a professional.
Use the range hood to vent fluorocarbons when using a gas cooktop.
Use bathroom fans to vent shower humidity, especially in the summer months.
Have soft surfaces including upholstered furniture, rugs, and carpeting professionally cleaned to remove pet dander and dust mites.
Buy and use a hygrometer on each level of your home to monitor the humidity level to prevent the growth of mold spores.

About ABC Cleaning, Inc. of Orlando, FL

The post Sources of Indoor Air Pollution appeared first on ABC Services in Central Florida.

How Clean Air Affects Your Children’s Health

ABC Services — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 20:30:00 +0000

Over the course of living in a house for many years, there are going to be a few things that get dirty. As a homeowner, you are probably already doing everything you can to keep your house free of dirt and other pollutants by changing air filters and cleaning regularly.

One of the areas of your home that tends to collect a lot of dust in a relatively short period of time, though, is the air ducts. They are constantly circulating air, and because of this, they pick up everything that comes along with it.

Cleaning your air ducts is a great way to improve the quality of the air inside your home If you have been wondering whether the time is right to get this important chore done, knowing what the benefits are to you and your children’s health can help you decide. In this article, we have laid out some of the main advantages to having clean air ducts in your home.

Reduced Allergies

Dust is one of the number one culprits when it comes to allergy symptoms. Pollen and mold can get sucked up into the HVAC unit where they collect until they are then redistributed in the house. Children can be especially vulnerable when it comes exposure to mold spores, which can result in shortness of breath, wheezing, a runny nose, nasal congestion and even more severe respiratory problems. By cleaning your air ducts more frequently, you can eliminate many of the symptoms and lessen the reaction to seasonal allergies and feel more comfortable when that time of year rolls around.

Lessened Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is a condition that can be easily exasperated by exterior pollutants like dust and dirt. When dust gets in the lungs, they release reactive nitrogen and oxygen species which can cause or worsen the symptoms of asthma. By triggering these reactive species, dust can make your children’s lungs more susceptible to asthma attacks.

Cleaning your air ducts is a great way to get rid of these triggers and help reduce instances of asthma and asthma attacks. A thorough cleaning will remove the dust and help create a safer overall environment for everyone.

Lowered Pet Dander Sensitivity

Pet dander sensitivity is no fun, especially for children who love animals and want to have them in the home. By cleaning your air ducts regularly, you can reduce sensitivity to pet dander and decrease the likelihood that your children will experience an allergic reaction to the cat or dog they love.

When left unchecked pet dander can buildup in air ducts and be dispersed into the air every time your system turns on. A high concentration of pet dander in the air can actually increase the likelihood that your children will be sensitive to it. By getting rid of any dander that may be lurking in the air ducts, you can decrease this percentage the becomes airborne and reduce the sensitivity factor.

Better Overall Breathing

In general, dust is not good for healthy lungs and breathing, especially the developing lungs of children. Something as simple as cleaning the dust out of your air ducts on a consistent basis can be a massive improvement in the overall lung health of you and your children. Being as comfortable and healthy as you can be is essential for the physical health and mental wellbeing of you and your family. Removing as much dust as possible from the air you all breathe on a daily basis is a great step towards achieving this goal.

About ABC Cleaning, Inc. of Orlando, FL

The post How Clean Air Affects Your Children’s Health appeared first on ABC Services in Central Florida.

How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality Naturally

ABC Services — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 20:29:00 +0000

Whether you live in a big city with lots of smog or in the country with a high pollen count, you deserve to be comfortable inside your home. There is all kinds of advice out there on how to improve the quality of your home’s air, but it can be hard to know what is effective. That’s why we have put together a guide on how to improve indoor air quality naturally.

While regular dusting and cleaning can go a long way, you might be wondering what other steps you can take. There are quite a few DIY approaches that you can try to enhance the air quality in your home, many of which are quite effective.

Portable HEPA Filters

A high-efficiency portable air filter, or HEPA filter, is a great way to clean your home’s air without having to do much work yourself. HEPA filters work by taking in air, then scrubbing it of contaminants before expelling it back out into your home’s atmosphere.

They do this by using fine mesh traps that catch things like pet dander, dust and other particles that you would otherwise be breathing in. Portable HEPA filters can be a great solution for cleaning the air in specific rooms or particular problem areas in your home. One of the best things about them is that you can simply turn them on and let them do the work while you attend to other things.

Low-VOC Paints, Varnishes

Other potential contributors to poor air quality inside a home are paints and varnishes. These products can emit odors and fumes that negatively impact air quality. Volatile organic compounds are sometimes found in certain paints, stains and finishes. Even once they have dried, these compounds can still cause irritation to lungs and make the air inside your home less than ideal to breathe.

To keep your indoor air clean and heathy make sure to use VOC-free paints and varnishes when you are doing any indoor DIY projects. These are usually labeled as being scent-free or odorless. They will be safe to use indoors and will not produce any excess particles that can lower the air quality in your home.

Avoid Chemical-Laden Household Products

Household cleaners can be a major source of contaminants in your home’s air. Many of them contain chemicals such as ammonia, chlorine and triclosan. These chemicals can all contribute to poor air quality and lead to problems with your eyes, nose and throat.

Instead of using harsh chemicals, choose products with natural ingredients. There is a wide variety of natural, chemical-free household cleaners that are available. These products use things like baking soda, peppermint oil, and other gentle ingredients to break down dirt and grease. A white vinegar and water solution is also a fantastic alternative that has many uses for cleaning around the house.

Professional Services

There are many ways to improve the air quality in your home and while these DIY solutions can help contribute to cleaner, healthier air in your home, a call to your local professional can help ensure long lasting results. ABC Cleaning professionals have the tools, training and experience to identify, locate and eliminate issues that could be causing poor air quality. They are trained to safely and efficiently clean air ducts, replace air filters, and check drain lines to ensure your entire system is working effectively, so you and your family can breathe easy.

About ABC Cleaning, Inc. of Orlando, FL

The post How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality Naturally appeared first on ABC Services in Central Florida.

What Can Happen if Your Ducts Stay Dirty

ABC Services — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 14:26:00 +0000

Most people know that a clogged filter puts strain on your HVAC system, which can lead to a breakdown and other system issues. But did you know that most filters only catch about 10% of airborne pollutants?

Over time air ducts in your house will become the resting place for all kinds of debris. Dust in the air will find its way into the ventilation system and settle into areas of the duct work that are accessible. Pet hair from inside or outside of your house also finds its way in and camps out with the dust.

On a windy day any manner of articles can be floating in the air which easily ends up in your system without your knowledge. All of this debris will continue to build over the days and years until you start to notice your family seems to be suffering more and more from allergies. You may also notice less air flow from your air conditioner and an associated increase in the utility bill. It goes without saying if you have a collection of unwanted items in your air duct it is just a matter of time before it affects those in the house.

Your health is not the only thing at risk when the ventilation system is filled with this debris. The risk of fire increases as the amount of debris increases. Any airborne article like small pieces of paper, twigs, sawdust, and other flammable items can be ignited with a minimal amount of spark.

Air duct cleaning only makes sense. A clean air duct allows your air conditioning unit to work more efficiently. Bob Baker and Ross Montgomery of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, have found that dirty coils can cut energy efficiency 40%. Coils are cleaned with the rest of your ventilation system and many people notice a drop in their utility bill immediately after a cleaning. Air duct cleaning has helped reduce allergy episodes in some families and asthma sufferers notice the difference. However, if you take away the increase in health benefits and energy efficiency, cleaning your air ducts are a great way to reduce the fire risk in your home.

About ABC Cleaning, Inc. of Orlando, FL

The post What Can Happen if Your Ducts Stay Dirty appeared first on ABC Services in Central Florida.

How to Improve Air Quality in Your Home

ABC Services — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 14:24:00 +0000

Regular dusting, mopping, vacuuming and sweeping makes a big difference. As well, keeping the filters in your vacuum clean, making sure you have door mats at every entrance can help trap particles for easier removal. A deeper clean, such as carpet steaming, HVAC duct cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and washing the drapes regularly, can all help.

The filter in your HVAC system can also make a big difference! Proper use of an electrostatic filter can help with this. It ionically charges the particles, trapping them in the filter. These filters help reduce household costs and landfill waste, as well as dust, since they are washed, rather than replaced!

With this in mind, it is imperative that the A.C. Unit and the Duct-work receive a basic vent cleaning every 18 to 24 months, and a deep cleaning every 4 to 6 years (depending on system accessories).

There are several differences between basic and deep cleaning that is explained below:

Basic Cleaning: Vacuuming out each individual air duct and return with high powered negative pressure vacuum to remove dust, debris, hair, and dirt.

Deep Cleaning: Several deep cleaning services that can be done separately or together which include: Sanitization with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial solutions, mold treatment that eradicates fungus within the air ducts/unit and rotor brush for solidified dirt and debris.

Maintenance Between Cleanings

Although having your air ducts professionally cleaned is beneficial to your home and health, it isn’t enough. To ensure that you are breathing the cleanest air at all times, you should stay up-to-date on your filters.Your air filters need to be changed least every 3 months. If there is a pet living in the home, the filter needs to be changed every 2 months. Finally, if there are multiple pets or allergy sufferers, it should be changed every 20-45 days.If changing your air filter this often seems to be a pain, opt for electrostatic filters. This type of filter does not need to be changed, but simply washed off. They can be a bit more expensive at first, but you will save money in the long run by not having to constantly buy traditional filters.By keeping up with your air filter, you will ensure your HVAC unit stays efficient and the air in your home stays breathable in between air duct cleanings.Another good rule of thumb is to ask any service provider that works on your HVAC unit to clean the cooling coils and drain pans.

About ABC Cleaning, Inc. of Orlando, FL

The post How to Improve Air Quality in Your Home appeared first on ABC Services in Central Florida.

Reasons to Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned

ABC Services — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 08:34:00 +0000

Cleaning out the lint trap of your dryer is second nature to most. We often do it after each load. Why? Because it helps our dryer work more efficiently and we know it’s a safety hazard if we don’t.

The same holds true for your dryer vent. This is the tube that runs from your dryer to the outside of your house. It helps remove hot air and moisture. If this vent gets clogged it can lead to many complications.

Here are the top 5 reasons why it’s important to keep your dryer vent clean and free from clogs and lint.

Safety

The number 1 reason on our list is safety! Dryers run hot and lint is highly flammable, which makes for a dangerous combination.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, clothes dryers are responsible for more than 15,000 structure fires each year and 80% of those are due to clogged dryer vents. This is a preventable problem.

There is also the possibility of fumes backing up into your home through clogged vents. The gasses and carbon monoxide that should be released outside could potentially back up into your home causing an air quality issue for you and your family.

Low-Efficiency

We all want our appliances to work as efficiently as possible. A clogged dryer vent could mean your clothes will need multiple cycles before drying correctly or will need to run longer. This is because the proper amount of hot air is not reaching your dryer.

Multiple cycles and extended drying times mean additional energy spent and could lead to an increase in your electrical bill.

A Clean Dryer Vent Means a Longer Life for Your Dryer

We already pointed out that a clogged vent means a less efficient drying cycle. If your dryer is running longer than normal or more than one cycle per load, you are slowly decreasing the life of your dryer. It’s essentially working double-time!

A dryer that is overworked will add considerable wear and tear to your machine. This could lead to malfunctions and needed repairs. Allowing your dryer to run this way can also cause a complete breakdown of your machine over time.

Mold

The purpose of the dryer vent is to release moisture and hot air outside. The moisture can sometimes create wet spots inside the tube. Built-up lint can get caught in these wet spots and create mold. This wet lint can also stick to the inside of the vent’s tube making dryer vent cleaning more difficult.

Less Maintenance

Like any other appliance or machine, your dryer will last longer and work better if it’s properly cared for. Cleaning the vent regularly will help ensure that your clothes are being dried in a timely manner and you aren’t wasting unnecessary energy. Extended drying times can even cause strain on your fabrics.

A dryer that continues to run with a clogged vent can cause internal problems that require repairs. This means more money for you.

Your dryer vent should be cleaned once a year. If you’re unsure of how to clean your vent or want professional assistance, contact us today!

About ABC Cleaning, Inc. of Orlando, FL

The post Reasons to Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned appeared first on ABC Services in Central Florida.

Dangers of Lint and Dirty Dryer Vents

ABC Services — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 08:35:00 +0000

Dryer vents have a long unfortunate history of causing tens of thousands of house fires. Dryers depend on a 4-inch diameter, unrestricted, metal vent to exhaust the hot, moist, air to the outdoors. Many people regard the vent as a necessary evil and hardly give it another thought. When the dryer takes longer to dry a normal size load, most people don’t understand why.

Hidden Dangers of Dryer Lint

If homeowners take quick action and get help to find out the reason behind long dry times, most dryer fires wouldn’t happen. When a dryer suffers from a blocked or restricted vent, lint won’t get exhausted outdoors, but instead, inside the dryer or the vent. Over time, the lint builds up and creates a restriction or blockage that builds up inside the dryer and makes its way to the source of the heat.

Imagine for a moment what happens when dryer lint comes into contact with a glowing red heating element or the open flame of a gas burner. Lint inside the dryer ignites quickly and uses air from the vent to help it grow. After ignition, the flame follows the path of the vent and ignites the lint inside the vent.

Most contractors route vents inside walls and in ceilings of rooms before they exit the house. A lint fire has the potential to burn through a non-metal vent and catch a house on fire. If that isn’t bad enough, the dryer itself suffers irreparable internal damage caused by the fire.

Learn to Prevent Dryer Fires

Dryer lint is very dangerous, and it’s wise to learn how to prevent a dryer fire. To put the danger of lint into perspective, some camping materials suggest using a ball of lint as a fire-starter because it ignites with a single match.

Aside from common sense, such as regular vent cleanings and dryer maintenance, replacing your old vent with rigid or flexible metal vent (rigid preferred) offers the best assurance that if a lint fire starts, there’s a better chance it stays contained inside the vent without spreading to the interior walls. The length of the vent determines its efficiency and can cause restricted air flow if not installed properly.

In every case, replace the vent if it’s plastic or foil. These materials burn and increase the chance of a dryer fire traveling through the vent and igniting interior walls of your house.

Length vs. Efficiency

Many times vent installers lack knowledge of proper venting for dryers and without knowing, they cause another problem that’s more serious than what they’re trying to prevent. According to International Residential Code (IRC), Section M1502 states metal dryer vent length is no longer than 25 linear feet. If there’s a bend or 90-degree turn, for each turn or bend, deduct five feet from the 25 foot maximum for the new maximum length.

The efficiency of venting decreases as the length of the vent increases. The limitations of your dryer’s blower motor help determine the dryer’s efficiency. Use the shortest length of a metal vent and keep it as straight as possible to assist the air flowing through it.

Is dryer lint really that dangerous? Yes it is. Remember the importance of dryer safety and regular vent cleanings. Dryer vent cleaning isn’t a simple task as many think.

About ABC Cleaning, Inc. of Orlando, FL

The post Dangers of Lint and Dirty Dryer Vents appeared first on ABC Services in Central Florida.