A maintenance task that can often be overlooked for multi-housing complexes is dryer vent cleaning. Whether you have a central location with washers and dryers or each unit has their own appliances, this is a task that should not be overlooked. For dryer vent cleaning in Minneapolis, you can count on Building Maintenance Management. We have the tools and experience needed to get this job done for your property.
Winter is a prime time for dryer fires. More dryer fires occur in the fall and winter months than any other time of year. This is probably due to more people using their dryers during the cold months, rather than hanging their clothes out to dry. Also, heavy sweaters and blankets produce more lint in the dryer. The thicker the clothing or bedding, the more lint it produces.
To prevent a fire starting from excess lint in the dryer vents, it’s important to have them professionally cleaned every few months, or at least once a year. Our crew can handle this task for you. In the meantime, here are some tips to follow to prevent a dryer fire at your property:
- Have all dryers professionally installed.
- Make sure the correct electrical plug and outlet are used and the dryer is connected properly.
- Routinely clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up.
- Inspect the venting system behind the dryer to ensure it is not damaged or restricted.
- Add a covering to outside wall dampers to keep out rain, dirt and snow.
- Make sure the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is on.
- Replace coiled-wire foil or plastic venting with rigid, non-ribbed metal duct.
- Check regularly to make sure nests of insects or small animals are not blocking the outside vent.
Here are some extra tips residents can follow to help prevent dryer fires:
- Clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry.
- Clean the filter with a nylon brush every six months or more often if it gets clogged.
- Don’t overload the dryer.
- Keep the area around the clothes dryer free of items that could burn.
- Don’t leave clothes dryer running unattended.
With proper and routine maintenance done by you and the residents at your property, the chance of a fire starting from dryer vents is greatly reduced.
If you would like to learn more about dryer vent cleaning in Minneapolis, call Building Maintenance Management at 763-541-4886 or you can Contact Us.
