Keep your dryer lint screen clean. This is the extent that a majority of households go to in order to upkeep their dryer ventilation and exhaust. Some of us may go a step further and look behind the dryer from time to time, most likely when we are already searching for a sock that has fallen behind it. Even when our dryer does not dry clothes like it used to, we just chalk it up as being old and worn out. What you may not know, is that your poorly performing dryer may be a symptom of a much more dangerous and destructive problem. So, don't rush out and by that new dryer just yet. A poorly ventilating dryer exhaust could be the culprit.
Improperly installed dryer exhaust can cause many issues within your home which go well past your laundry room. It is estimated that almost 16,000 house fires a year are related to poor dryer ventilation. Our dryers release hot air and some lint through the back and into the wall via an exhaust hose. This is where the first and most easily fixable problem can occur. When a dryer is installed, it is important to attach the hose from the dryer to the wall with no more than two bends; and, the hose should be as short as possible. This will help prevent the build up of lint. It should also be noted that the hose should have a smooth inner lining and be made of metal. Ribbed hoses or easily crushable plastic hosing can restrict airflow which will also lead to lint build up, and ultimately an overheating dryer. This can lead to the backed lint being ignited by the high temps of the stressed out dryer. Dryer lint burns extremely fast, turning your dryer exhaust system into a fire that can spread quickly along its path. A simple solution beyond the proper installation of the ventilation hose would be to clean the duct on a regular basis, as well as, the area around your dryer. Not only will this help with safety, but your dryer will operate more efficiently. Dryers are one of the top users of energy in the home; so, that means money back in your pocket.
The issue of dryer ventilation goes beyond your laundry room, however. After the duct is terminated into the wall, exhaust piping will continue either up to, and out an exhaust hood on your roof, or under your home and out a wall damper to the outside of your home. The key here is to ensure that the air is terminated all the way to the outside of the home. If not, that same combustible lint will be spreading into your attic, crawl spaces and/or interior walls. The other end of the spectrum is the risk of mold, mildew, and interior damage to your home. Dryers release the hot, yet damp air from your drying clothes into the exhaust ducts. Again, if not properly terminated to the exterior of the home, this damp air is released into the walls, attics and underneath the home. Beyond the mildew issues, poor air quality can occur in the home and even lead to illness.
An extreme, yet true example of home damage caused by improper dryer ventilation recently took place right here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. A local contractor was inspecting a flooring issue in a 3000-plus square foot home. This is an older home with a pier and beam foundation, which creates a crawl space under the home. Upon deeper inspection, the contractor discovered the beams supporting the sub-flooring were rotting so bad that he could push a screw driver into them like "a soft stick of butter". The cause was an exhaust duct from the dryer that had become disconnected some 20, or so, years ago. The moist air and lint had built up under the home, leading to the decay of the wood under the home. The home owner was faced with two choices; replace the beams and flooring in the entire home at a cost near $200,000; or, tear down and rebuild. After discussing it with the builder, they decided the best option was to rebuild. A small problem with a simple solution created the perfect storm, which ultimately led to the complete destruction of a home. Crazy, but true!
Of the 80 percent of homes in the U.S. with dryers, almost 70 percent are estimated to have improperly installed dryer exhaust and ventilation. While to most of us, this may not seem like a big problem, tens of thousands a year learn the hard way that it can be. With some simple maintenance and inspection, there is no reason why you have to be one of them.
For more information about this blog or to schedule a home inspection contact Keith Boggs at 214-923-7304 or www.spi-guy.com


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