PSA - Fire Safety

fence0407

Not egg related, but please remember to clean your dryer vents (inside the dryer and out). I was unfortunately reminded of this last Friday when someone I know's house caught on fire. Luckily no one was hurt and they were able to get it put out in a timely fashion. Fire, smoke and water damage to their house. It's going to be a long road ahead for them and a while before life returns to normal.

tarheelmatt

Glad no one was hurt and the house isn't a loss.  Will keep this in mind!  Thanks for the announcement. 

NervousDad

when I moved into my home last July I took my vent apart. It was a 75ft run filled completely with lint not a square inch of free space.. I filled a 5 gallon bucket with the condensation water that was stuck in the vent (probably the only thing that kept the house from burning down)

NPHuskerFL

Good message. I'm glad nobody was hurt.

fence0407

NervousDad said:

when I moved into my home last July I took my vent apart. It was a 75ft run filled completely with lint not a square inch of free space.. I filled a 5 gallon buck with the condensation water that was stuck in the vent (probably the only thing that kept the house from burning down)

Wow - that is scary. Glad you caught it before something bad happened.

fence0407

NPHuskerFL said:

Good message. I'm glad nobody was hurt.

Thanks - me too. Don't wish this upon anyone so if this helps someone it's worth it.

Jeepster47

Have a long dryer vent run and you don't want to tear it apart like @NervousDad did?  Use a leaf blower ... seriously.  just don't use it from the outside inward ... that can really irritate the missus.  Oh yea, something to catch all the lint before it turns your yard white is also a good idea.

fence0407

Jeepster47 said:

Have a long dryer vent run and you don't want to tear it apart like @NervousDad did?  Use a leaf blower ... seriously.  just don't use it from the outside inward ... that can really irritate the missus.  Oh yea, something to catch all the lint before it turns your yard white is also a good idea.

Good call! I have a shop-vac that I think I'll use.

NervousDad

Jeepster47 said:

Have a long dryer vent run and you don't want to tear it apart like @NervousDad did?  Use a leaf blower ... seriously.  just don't use it from the outside inward ... that can really irritate the missus.  Oh yea, something to catch all the lint before it turns your yard white is also a good idea.

 I installed one of these. http://www.amazon.com/Fantech-DBF-Dryer-Booster-Duct/dp/B000GXF7KO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1429109656&sr=8-3&keywords=boost+fan

expensive, but works really well.

Cookbook_Chip

Scares me to death. Got a guy coming next week to clean mine. Thanks for the psa

DaveRichardson

I've gone as far as buying a brush that attached to my cordless drill that snakes into the vent from the outside.  You can add more fiberglass poles to extend the length 3-4 feet at a time with those screw-in poles.  Does a heck of a job cleaning the vent.

Once it stops raining here in Atlanta, I think I'll be cleaning my dryer vent out!

Eggcelsior

NervousDad said:

Jeepster47 said:

Have a long dryer vent run and you don't want to tear it apart like @NervousDad did?  Use a leaf blower ... seriously.  just don't use it from the outside inward ... that can really irritate the missus.  Oh yea, something to catch all the lint before it turns your yard white is also a good idea.

 I installed one of these. http://www.amazon.com/Fantech-DBF-Dryer-Booster-Duct/dp/B000GXF7KO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1429109656&sr=8-3&keywords=boost+fan

expensive, but works really well.

Oh, hell yes. I have bedroom level laundry and just did some work improving the drain and elevating the W/D to pedestal height. I replaced the dryer vent flexi-tubeand it had about 1/2 inch of compacted, hardened lint inside the old one. I can install this up in my crawl space where the vent runs up to the roof to exit. 

fence0407

Cookbook_Chip said:

Scares me to death. Got a guy coming next week to clean mine. Thanks for the psa

You're welcome - it scares me to death too!

fence0407

DaveRichardson said:

I've gone as far as buying a brush that attached to my cordless drill that snakes into the vent from the outside.  You can add more fiberglass poles to extend the length 3-4 feet at a time with those screw-in poles.  Does a heck of a job cleaning the vent.

Once it stops raining here in Atlanta, I think I'll be cleaning my dryer vent out!

I saw this at Home Depot yesterday and it was recommended by the employee there too. Glad to hear it worked for you. I might give that a shot if my shop-vac solution doesn't work. I hear ya on the rain too!

DaveRichardson

I turn the dryer on air so its not blowing heat, and I start at the vent exit outside the house.  You get COVERED in lint, but I think its worth it.  Wear a dust mask!!!! 

Then when not in use, I've got the brush and extension poles stored in a 3 inch PVC pipe hanging in the garage like a quiver with a hunting bow!

fence0407

DaveRichardson said:

I turn the dryer on air so its not blowing heat, and I start at the vent exit outside the house.  You get COVERED in lint, but I think its worth it.  Wear a dust mask!!!! 

Then when not in use, I've got the brush and extension poles stored in a 3 inch PVC pipe hanging in the garage like a quiver with a hunting bow!

Thanks for the info Dave!!