Dryer lint and vent habits, like skipping the lint screen, letting lint gather behind the machine and never checking the vent, slow drying and raise the risk of a dryer fire. Cleaning the screen with every load, and looking at the duct and outside vent a few times a year, deals with the factor most often behind those fires.
Mistakes at a glance
| Habit | What it leads to | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning the lint screen only when it looks full | Restricted airflow, longer drying and lint buildup near heat | Clean the screen before or after every cycle |
| Running the dryer without the lint screen in place | Lint blown straight into the duct | Never run it without the screen |
| Pushing the dryer back until the duct is crushed | Blocked airflow and overheating | Leave enough room for the duct to bend without kinking |
| Using plastic flexible duct | A duct material manufacturers say not to use | Use rigid metal or flexible metal duct |
| Never checking the outside vent | A blocked or stuck cover that traps lint and heat | Make sure the outside cover opens while the dryer runs |
| Letting lint pile up behind and under the dryer | Fuel collecting next to a heat source | Clean behind the dryer when you check the duct |
The ones that matter most
Skipping the lint screen
Lint is the material most often ignited first in these fires. The U.S. Fire Administration's report on residential dryer fires, which covers 2008 to 2010, found that failure to clean was the leading factor contributing to ignition, at 34 percent, and that dust, fiber and lint were the items most often ignited first, at 28 percent. The USFA's dryer safety flyer says to clean the lint filter before and after each cycle and never to use the dryer without it. If dryer sheets leave a waxy film on the screen, wash it now and then, as described in dryer loading mistakes that make drying take longer.
Crushing the duct behind the dryer
Shoving the dryer back to gain a few inches of floor space can flatten the duct where nobody sees it. The USFA flyer says to check the venting behind the dryer to make sure it isn't damaged, crushed or restricted. A crushed duct keeps hot, moist air and lint inside the system, so drying takes longer and the dryer runs hotter.
Using the wrong duct material
GE Appliances says the vent should be rigid metal or flexible metal only, and not plastic flexible ducting. GE also points owners to the installation instructions for the allowed length and number of elbows, because each bend adds resistance. Other installation shortcuts are covered in appliance installation shortcuts that cause problems later.
Forgetting the outside vent
The duct ends at a wall or roof cap outside. The USFA flyer says to make sure the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is operating, and GE says to check the wall cap for obstructions. With the dryer running, you should feel air pushing out and see the flap open.
If you see smoke or flames from a dryer: get everyone out and call 911 from outside.
Signs it's already caused a problem
- Loads take noticeably longer than they used to
- The top or sides of the dryer feel very hot during a cycle
- A burning or scorched smell from the laundry room
- Lint collecting around the outside vent, or a flap that stays shut while the dryer runs
- The laundry room gets hot and humid whenever the dryer is on
- The dryer shuts off partway through a cycle
If you notice these after cleaning the screen and checking the duct, a dryer repair visit can check the airflow, thermostats and safety parts.
Sources
- U.S. Fire Administration: Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings
- U.S. Fire Administration: Clothes Dryer Fire Safety (flyer)
- GE Appliances: Dryer, Things to Check for a Venting Issue
Habit to keep: Clean the lint screen with every load, and look at the duct and outside vent each season.
Clean screen, clear duct, and the dryer still runs hot or slow? Call ProFix San Antonio at (210) 761-6006.