Proper Dryer Installation and Maintenance by Chris Piccione
The installation and maintenance of clothes dryers are an important part of making sure that a clothes dryer performs as designed and does not become a fire hazard.
Recommendations for clothes dryer safety include the following:
• Have your clothes dryer installed by qualified personnel.
• Clean the lint filter before and after each cycle.
• Clean the area under the lint filter with a nylon brush at least every 6 months or more frequently if it becomes clogged.
• Schedule a professional appliance technician to service your dryer every 1-2 years, they will take apart the dryer and clean lint from areas you cannot reach.
• Inspect the venting system behind the dryer to ensure it is not damaged, crushed, or restricted.
• Replace exterior wire mesh screens with vent hoods.
• Periodically inspect the outdoor vent to make sure it is opening properly and there are no obstructions such as animal nests preventing it from opening.
• The interior of the dryer and venting system should be serviced and cleaned annually by qualified service personnel, especially if it is taking longer than normal for clothes to dry.
• Where possible, replace flexible plastic venting with a rigid metal duct.
• Make sure the electrical plug and outlets are in good condition and connected properly.
• Read manufacturers’ instructions and warnings on use and care manuals that accompany new dryers.
• Keep the area around the clothes dryer free of combustible items such as chemicals, boxes or paper.
• Do not leave the dryer on while not at home.
Qualified PERSONNEL: With regulated trades such as electrical and plumbing, having a contractor’ s license and certification is the norm. Surprisingly, most duct cleaning companies are not licensed by the State of California to perform the work. It is highly recommended to use a company that is licensed and certified. To check a company’ s license status: Log on to the Contractors State License Board’ s website( www. cslb. ca. gov). Click on“ Consumers”, then“ Check License”,
then“ Contractor Name”. Type in name of company in question and see if their company information shows on the list and verify if license status is current. HOA
This article is brought to you by Chris Piccione of Vent Pros, Inc. A Professional Cleaning of Ventilation Systems Since 2001
303 W. 35th Street, # B National City, CA 91950( 866) 270-3828 ChrisP @ VentPros. com
Mention this Vent Pros ad and receive a 20 % discount off a complete building dryer vent cleaning service. These whole-building services are already packaged together at a discounted rate. If this type of service is not something that the HOA would pay for, then we can do a group sign-up for interested homeowners. Call for details. Let us help you make your property safer for all of its residents. For a free inspection of your dryer vents call 1-866-270-3828, or email us at customerservice @ ventpros. com.
Spring 2013 | Issue # 5 | The HOA Board Quarterly | 7