Dryer Vent Cleaning Nassau County Wizard Explains Safety Issues with Clothes Dryers

A clogged dryer vent is an unknown source for mold and other indoor air contaminants

 

Nassau County NY – More than 17,000 dryer fires are reported each year with owner neglect being the leading cause. In spite of recent media attention, many people do not realize necessity of annual dryer vent inspection and cleaning service to prevent dryer fires and improve dryer performance.

Dryer Vent Wizard is a national dryer vent cleaning franchise that was formed to help people maintain their dryer to reduce the risk of dryer fires. Wizards across the nation are working to raise public awareness about this vital home service.

Bob Dougherty, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard (http://www.nassaucountyny.dryerventcleaningnow.com/) addresses several dryer related hazards, including health threats associated with poor dryer ventilation. To date almost every home has a dryer. Whether gas or electric, airflow is the most important requirement for a dryer to work safely and efficiently. Poorly vented gas dryers can be a carbon monoxide threat.

A clogged dryer vent is an unknown source for mold and other indoor air contaminants that can lead to health issues for residents. The biggest concern with lint accumulation in the dryer vent system is a fire hazard. Here are some facts Bob shares with his customers while servicing their dryer vent:

Dryer vent cleaning eliminates a fire hazard. Only about 60 percent of the lint produced by tumbling laundry is caught in the lint screen. The rest becomes trapped inside the dryer or in the dryer vent tube. This condition will restrict airflow, cause the dryer to overheat and lead to a dryer fire.

Dryer vent cleaning improves dryer efficiency to reduce energy cost. Increased drying time is rarely a sign of wear or malfunction. It is almost always directly related to poor venting due to lint accumulation.

Dryer vent cleaning increases the life of the dryer. The clothes dryer is a simple but sturdy appliance. Proper maintenance will keep it performing well and hazard free.

Dryer Vent Wizard is the highest qualified dryer vent service provider in the nation with 60 franchised locations in the US. Professional dryer vent installation and regularly scheduled dryer vent cleaning is the best way to improve dryer performance, save energy and prevent dryer fires and other dryer problems. Visit http://www.dryerventcleaningnassaucountynewyork.com/ to learn more.




About Dryer Vent Wizard:
Dryer Vent Wizard is a member of the National Fire Protection Association and the largest chain of dryer vent cleaning, repair, replacement and alternation specialists in the U.S. with nearly 60 franchisees in major markets. Dryer Vent Wizard franchisees work to promote public awareness on the importance of dryer vent cleaning to prevent dryer fires and save energy. Consumer education while making clothes dryers safer and greener are the main focus of DVW franchisees. Dryer Vent Wizard was founded in 2004 by Dave Lavalle who is also the founder of the Mr. Handyman franchise.

Fire Prevention Tips from the Nassau County Dryer Vent Cleaning Wizard

A dryer fire that caused over 150,000 in property damage, leaving a family of 6 homeless prompted the Wizard to promote an important message

Nassau County NY – The Nassau County Dryer Vent Cleaning Wizard provides fire prevention tips to area residents who may not be aware that cleaning dryer vents is the number one way to prevent dryer fires. Clothes dryers are the most likely appliance to start a fire, with over 17,000 dryer related fires occurring annually.

When Bob Dougherty, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard read about an early morning fire that caused over 150,000 in property damage he was very upset. The family of six was lucky to escape without injury. Dryer vent cleaning service may have prevented this disaster.

Residents were asleep when the fire started. A clogged dryer vent caused the dryer to overheat and materials stored nearby to ignite. The fire spread up the wall and into the attic, causing significant smoke damage to the home.

Dryer Vent Wizard (http://www.nassaucountyny.dryerventcleaningnow.com/) provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair and new dryer vent installation for residents and business owners in Nassau County and neighboring communities. Here are some fire prevention tips the Wizard provides to his customers:

• Have appliances professionally installed

• Electric Dryer – A licensed electrician should inspect the electrical service to be sure the dryer has the right size breaker and that it is properly grounded

• Gas Dryer – A licensed plumber should inspect the gas fittings and flex hose for gas leaks

• Never leave home or go to sleep when the dryer is running

• Keep the lint filter clean and inspect it regularly for tears or damage

• Keep the laundry room clear of combustibles like boxes and flammable substances

• Never put synthetic materials including rubber, foam or plastic in the dryer

• Have the dryer vent system inspected and cleaned regularly


Customers who order service by the Wizard enjoy friendly conversation and education about how their dryer vent system works. Bob Dougherty does a complete inspection and explains his recommendations for improving airflow, reducing energy expenses, improving dryer performance and preventing a fire hazard. Dryer vent cleaning and repair or replacement of a faulty dryer vent system will provide all these benefits and more.

Dryer Vent Wizard can clean, repair or replace dryer vent systems in homes and businesses to make them as safe and efficient as possible. Bob Dougherty serves Nassau County, Hicksville, Old Westbury and nearby cities. Visit http://www.dryerventcleaningnassaucountynewyork.com/ to learn more.



About Dryer Vent Wizard:
Dryer Vent Wizard is a member of the National Fire Protection Association and the largest chain of dryer vent cleaning, repair, replacement and alternation specialists in the U.S. with nearly 60 franchisees in major markets. Dryer Vent Wizard franchisees work to promote public awareness on the importance of dryer vent cleaning to prevent dryer fires and save energy. Consumer education while making clothes dryers safer and greener are the main focus of DVW franchisees. Dryer Vent Wizard was founded in 2004 by Dave Lavalle who is also the founder of the Mr. Handyman franchise.

A Homeowner Should Know About Dryer Safety!

A Homeowner Should Know About Dryer Safety!

By Tinamarie Dougherty.

A clogged vent can lead to fire, waste energy or wear down the dryer.

When was the last time you cleaned your dryer vent?

“Anyone who is a homeowner should know about dryer safety,” said Bob Dougherty, a Dryer Vent Technician and Owner/Operator with the Dryer Vent Wizard franchise. Dougherty advised that the more often a dryer is used, the more often it should be cleaned out.

“Always clean out the lint trap,” he said. “The access panel should be cleaned out annually, if not quarterly. The vent to the outside can get clogged with lint or animal nests, so it should be cleaned out as well.”

“You don’t want to use any appliance as a storage shelf,” Dougherty said. “Every appliance needs a space for ventilation, or it could malfunction.”

Dougherty also advised against running the dryer while no one is home. “You could risk having a fire by leaving the dryer running while you run errands,” he said.

“Lots of people don’t realize that fires can occur in dryer vents, and that it’s one of the leading causes of fires,” Bob Dougherty, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard of Nassau County New York, said. Dougherty has been cleaning dryer vents for more than 25 years and estimates that he has cleaned “almost 20,000 dryer vents” in that time.

In addition to potentially starting a fire, dirty vents waste gas and electricity, and can prematurely burn out the dryer. “If your clothes take longer to dry, or if there’s no steam coming out of the exit vent, or if you see lint around the dryer, then the dryer vent may be so full with lint that it needs to be cleaned,” Dougherty said.

“About 35 percent of lint goes through the lint screens,” he said. “Eventually, every dryer vent pipe will get plugged. If you don’t clean your screen, then the lint builds up.”

According to Dougherty, if a dryer is used by only one or two people, the dryer vent might not need to be cleaned for “two or three years.” However, if a dryer is used by family with two or more children, then the dryer vent may need to be cleaned every year. “At the very least it should be inspected by a licensed technician once a year”.

“In general, the more fleece, towels and blankets you use, the more often you need to clean your dryer,” he added. He stated that he cleans the dryers in an animal hospital twice a year due to the animal hair in the towels.

The location of the dryer is also critical. If the dryer is close to the wall, it does not need to work as hard to expel the hot air. If the hot air has to travel through a long hose to the exit vent, or if the pipe has numerous elbows, much more energy will be required to push the hot air out.

“Every elbow cuts down on the air speed,” Dougherty explained.

Dougherty said that he has seen dryer vents plugged with lint because the owners never cleaned out the lint trap. Another customer had five birds’ nests in his dryer vent. Dougherty has special tools specifically to remove the nests. “I have them so I can get the job done right!” Dougherty said.

He explained that he became involved in the dryer vent-cleaning business while servicing home appliances, he ran into clogged vents all the time. “A local fireman said it was the leading cause of house fires. I cleaned out my own vent, and found it was completely plugged,” he said.

“People aren’t really exposed to the dangers of fires in their dryers unless they read an article about it or see something about a fire,” Dougherty said.

Dryer Vent Wizard specializes in all dryer exhaust issues. Their services ensure clothes dryers operate safely and efficiently. Dryer Vent Wizard is making homes safer and greener, one dryer vent at a time.

Contact:
Bob Dougherty – Long Island, NY
bdougherty@dryerventwizard.com
www.dryerventwizard.com
516-873-7247

Dryer Vent Wizard provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair, dryer vent installation, and dryer lint cleaning for homes and businesses in Nassau County, NY, Glen Cove, Great Neck, Westbury, Old Westbury, Syosset, Hicksville, Levittown, Hempstead, Wantagh, Freeport, Long Beach, Valley Stream, Garden City, Hewlett, Hewlett Harbor, Woodmere, Merrick, Bellmore and neighboring cities and communities


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Appliance safety: Clothes dryers can lead to trouble

Dryer Vent Cleaning Nassau County

Appliance safety: Clothes dryers can lead to trouble
July 15, 2010 @ 12:00 AM


Bob Dougherty, Dryer Vent Wizard

The clothes dryer is an appliance many use on a daily basis, but few realize that unsafe use of that appliance can lead to trouble.

According to a release from the state Fire Marshal's Office, dryers or washing machines were the source of ignition of an average 15,300 home structure fires across the U.S. between 2003 and 2006. That includes an annual 16 deaths, 433 injuries and $201 million in property damage. Dryers were responsible in 92 percent of all cases.

The leading cause of these fires was a failure to properly clean dryer vents and the appliance.

Here are some tips from the Fire Marshal's office to safely operate your dryer and prevent a fire:

Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.

Do not use the dryer without a lint filter.

Make sure the lint filter is cleaned before or after each load of laundry. Remove lint that has collected around the drum.

Metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.

The air exhaust vent pipe should not be restricted and the outdoor vent flap should open when the dryer is on. Annual dryer vent cleaning will make all the difference in the world!

Keep dryers in good working order. Gas dryers should be inspected by a professional to make sure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.

Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and that the machine is connected properly.

Follow the manufacturer's operating instructions and don't overload the dryer.

Turn the dryer off when leaving the home or going to bed.

Make sure the dryer is properly is properly grounded.

Check the outdoor dryer vent flap to make sure it is not covered or blocked by objects such as outdoor furniture, bird's nests, etc.

Keep the area around the dryer clear of thinks that can burn like boxes, cleaning supplies, clothing, etc.

Clothes that have come in contact with flammable substances should be laid outside to dry and then be washed and dried.

Call the Dryer Vent Cleaning Wizard today and enjoy peace of mind that your clothes dryer is operating safely and efficiently.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Nassau County, NY Wizard Warns Consumers about Carbon Monoxide

Yes, a clothes dryer can be a carbon monoxide threat…Poorly vented fuel-burning appliances, including gas dryers, can emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

Dryer vent cleaning prevents a number of home appliance hazards including dryer fires and mildew damage in homes. Dryer vent cleaning also prevents a number of health hazards including mold related illness and carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, dryer vent cleaning can result in over $300 per year in energy savings. All this being considered, the fee for dryer vent cleaning is little compared to the many threats that can be eliminated.

Bob Dougherty owns Dryer Vent Wizard, serving consumers and businesses in Long Island, Suffolk and Nassau Counties in New York. In addition to dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation, Bob also works to promote public awareness on dryer fire prevention and energy savings through proper appliance maintenance.

“Unfortunately, too few people think about dryer vent cleaning in spite of all the publicity about dryer fires,” said Dougherty. “Dryer vent cleaning is important for the same reasons furnace cleaning is important. All fuel burning appliances like gas furnaces, water heaters and dryers must be adequately vented to prevent high levels of carbon monoxide from entering your home.”

Bob Dougherty also advises his customers that dryer vent cleaning extends the life of their appliance and prevents expensive repair bills. Dryer vent cleaning promotes maximum dryer performance by improving air flow required to release heat and moisture from tumbling laundry. Reducing the stress and work load on a dryer can also save consumers a lot of money in energy costs.

Dryer Vent Wizard specializes in all dryer exhaust issues. Their services ensure clothes dryers operate safely and efficiently. Dryer Vent Wizard is making homes safer and greener, one dryer vent at a time.

Contact:
Bob Dougherty – Long Island, NY
bdougherty@dryerventwizard.com
www.dryerventwizard.com
516-873-7247

Dryer Vent Wizard provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair, dryer vent installation, and dryer lint cleaning for homes and businesses in Suffolk County, Manorville, Huntington, East Hampton, Coram, Hampton Bays, Centereach, West Babylon, Sag Harbor, Southampton, Nassau County, Nassau County, NY, Glen Cove, Great Neck, Westbury, Old Westbury, Syosset, Hicksville, Levittown, Hempstead, Wantagh, Freeport, Long Beach, Valley Stream, and neighboring cities and communities


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