Zalmen pollak Dryer saftey
Our last blog update was about washing machines, so it only makes sense our next entry would detail the possible problems that can arise in the mechanics of your dryer. Because dryers deal with heat and flammable materials (clothing, sheets, rugs, etc.) it is essential that you observe the proper maintenance practices to avoid catastrophe and keep your dryer functioning for years.
Lint: the Silent Arsonist
You may know the lint filter as that piece of your dryer you sometimes remember you have to clean. Just about all of us are guilty of not consistently wiping out and discarding all lint in the tray. For one thing, we do not want to see that gray amalgamation of every piece of fabric ever thrown in the dryer. But it is something you must do… or else!Or else what? Well, the lint trap is placed over a vent that removes hot air from the dryer compartment. If the lint buildup is too dense it will block this vent and the dryer will be unable to regulate the temperature. If it gets too hot, the lint will ignite, your clothes will burn, your dryer will burn, your house may burn, etc. etc. Not to scare you or anything…
Now that you see how important dryer maintenance is, let’s take it another step further. Not only must you clear out the vent, but it helps every once in a while to remove the lint trap and take a look into the duct to see if any lint has gotten through the trap and is now lodged in the duct. If so, use a brush or other lint-trapping device you can fit in there and clear it out.
Don’t Skimp on the Ducts
Even if you are thorough and consistent with your cleaning of the lint catcher, some might still be sneaking through and entering your ducts. Every once and a while you should remove the ducts and clean them out. If, when you remove the trap and check the duct below, you see a lot of lint, it probably has gotten through to the ducts as well.
The process of cleaning the ducts differs depending on what sort of ducts you have. However they are generally easy to disassemble and can be dusted out easily with a brush. One step you can tape to permanently increase the safety of your dyer system is to replace any rubber, silicone, or flexible aluminum ducts with rigid metal ones. The flexible ducts tend to be more susceptible to fire, while the metal variety does not burst into flames so readily.
For more information on properly maintaining appliance and repairing your dryer appliance,is a handy guide from zalmen pollak
poasted by zalmen pollak.