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We have just started a remodeling project for a homeowner who recently closed escrow on a new home. She has a lengthy list of both small and large projects to do. One of them is to replace her outdated 1" baseboard with a modern 4.5" baseboard throughout the entire home.
In the course of doing this, we had to pull out the washer and dryer. Keep in mind, as is nearly always the case here in the desert, home sales typically include most, if not all, of the furniture. This home was not only furnished but still had food in the refrigerator and cupboards. It was if the sellers just took their clothes and left.
So when we pulled out the washer and dryer, we discovered about 2" of lint on the floor -- talk about a pile of dust bunnies! And the dryer vent itself was clogged with lint. (At right is the actual photo of that vent hose)
Here are the problems with this:
- Excess lint build up is a huge fire hazard. A single spark can set the whole house ablaze. In fact, dryers are the number 1 cause of appliance fires with some statistics citing 15,000 fires and over $200 million in property damages per year!
- Excess lint can reduce the efficiency of your dryer -- requiring longer drying times and more electricity which then puts excess wear on your clothes
- Inefficient gas dryers can emit carbon monoxide, a deadly gas
- Excess lint in the vent and hose can cause moist air to back up into the laundry room which creates an environment conducive to mold and mildew
As you can see, something as small and simple as a dryer vent/hose can be a big deal for your home. And I can't tell you how many people fail to have the vents and hoses cleaned or replaced. Ever. Very scary!
There is even one community here in the desert that has a wonky dryer exhaust system where the vent goes vertical and then around a 90 degree corner before finally getting to the outside. It doesn't take much imagination to visualize lint getting backed up in that corner (and it does).
Fortunately, excess lint is an easy issue to tackle. And it should be on your home's preventative maintenance 'to do' list along with smoke detectors, HVAC maintenance (2x yearly), pool heater maintenance, fireplace cleaning, retractable awning maintenance, roof inspections, fire sprinkler pressure checks, misting system services, and landscape grade checks just to name the most obvious ones (tasks vary based on your home).
To improve the airflow for your dryer, have the vents cleaned regularly. Frequency depends on how much you use your dryer but keep in mind vents can clog in as little as six months!
Replace the hose too. And don't forget the lint filter located in the front of your dryer. Most people are good about pulling off lint before each load but did you know that screen can be dirty, even when it doesn't look dirty; especially if you use dryer softener sheets.
The little venting holes in the mesh can be invisibly clogged (I know -- sounds crazy but it is true!). The best thing to do is wash this filter at least once a month with soap and hot water, scrubbing gently at the screen. Let it dry before putting it back into the dryer.
Dryer vent maintenance is an inexpensive investment that will add years of life to your dryer, reduce wear on your clothes, save on energy costs and help prevent fires and carbon monoxide.
To get your dryer vent cleaned or for any other preventative maintenance project, please email us or call 760.898.9604. With one simple call, we will arrange anything you need!
PS -- we have to share this quote credited to actor, Will Ferrell: "I have come to the conclusion that dryer lint is the cremated remains of all my missing socks"!!!
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Leslie Spoor
Executive Errands®
CL#944447
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Leslie is a consultant, mentor and author helping small business owners around the globe. She is founder and CEO of two successful companies, Concierge Business Solutions® and Executive Errands®. In addition to her wide selection of training videos and webinars, documentation and forms, Leslie also is the creator of a data collections software system, Essential Elements™ and a Six DVD educational series, How to Start Your Own Business with Leslie Spoor©, available on her website. To work with Leslie or for more information, please visit her website or contact her at Lspoor@executive-errands.com
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For a list of our most popular services, please see our brochure here:
Last year, after traveling to Cuba (another beautiful country!), I wrote a travel guide! To download our
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click here.
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This documentation, including sample applications herein, is provided for informational purposes only, and Executive Errands® makes no warranties, either expressly or implied, as to this documentation or its efficacies. Information in this documentation, including any URL and other Internet Web site references, is subject to change without notice. The entire risk of the use or the results of the use of this documentation remains with the user. This documentation is copyrighted by Spoor Enterprises Inc, DBA Executive Errands®, 2017.
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