If you don’t clean the vents in your commercial dryer in Greensboro, NC, regularly, it can cause a host of problems, including a risk of fire. As a business or laundromat owner, your employees and customers may be at risk if they are working and using dryers with vents that have been neglected.
The U. S. Fire Administration reports that there are 2900 dryer fires in homes every year that resulted in five deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property damage. And those are just statistics for homeowners. The risk for on-site laundry facilities and laundromats is greater because there are more machines that have the potential for catching fire if they are not cleaned properly.
Let’s look at a few signs that your dryer vents are clogged and need to be cleaned as soon as possible.
1. Drying time is increased
A dryer with clogged vents will work harder to get the hot air inside the drum in order to warm the clothes enough to dry them. If you notice that clothes are not dry after a normal cycle, then your vent is probably blocked by lint. Having the dryer run longer than it should can cause unnecessary wear and tear on the main, meaning more repairs and a shooter life span.
2. Hot air around the dryer
A dryer does get hot, but you notice it’s warmer than usual around the outside area, or if the load of laundry is extra hot when you take it out, that means the vent is not expelling exhaust the way it should be. This is not only wasting energy, it could also cause the heating elements and blower to wear out faster. Not to mention, you’re making the room hot and probably making your employees or customers uncomfortable, too.
3. Excess lint on the laundry
When you pull out your load of laundry and find that it’s covered in lint, that is an obvious sign that lint has built up in the vent. The lint filter will probably have more lint than usual, too, if the vent is blocked up.
4. Burning smell during a cycle
If your dryer is putting off a burning smell when you run it, then that’s a sign of lint build up. Lint is very flammable, so if it’s caught in the hose or exhaust it can get hot and cause a burning smell. It could lead to a fire if you don't have it checked out. Clean the vent hoses yourself, if you’re able, and if the smell doesn’t go away, have a professional take a look.
5. Dryer vent hood doesn’t open
The dryer vent hood located outside should have a flap that opens. If it doesn’t, or it has debris and lint built-up around it, then air flow has been restricted by excess lint. It will need to be cleaned so that it can do its job.
Cost Efficient Commercial Dryer in Greensboro, NC | T & L Equipment Company
If you want to learn more about dryers for your on-site laundry facility at your business or your laundromat, call us at T & L Laundry Equipment. We are here to answer your questions so that you can make the right choice. We have been around for 40 years, so you could call us the experts! We hope to hear from you soon so that we can help you decide which commercial dryer in Greensboro, NC, is right for your needs.
