New Lenox-based Business Works to Make Clothes Dryers Safer Don't Let Your Dryer Start a Fire! Hidden buildup in clothes dryer vent is fire bazard Most people know they need to clean out their dryer lint tray between each cycle, but what lurks behind the wall is just as important for safety and avoiding fire traps, as well as fully efficient dryer performance. Joe Enzenberger, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard, opened his New Lenox-based business in 2009. * WARNING Lint is the villain - lint that has been allowed to build up and linger too long in the dryer exhaust vent. If your dryer takes longer than one cycle to dry clothes, then you may have a fire hazard in your vent. It is estimated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Fire Administration that 15,500 fires associated with clothes dryers occur annually. These fires account for an average of 20 deaths, 370 injuries and more than $88 million in property damage. "Failure to clean the dryer vent" was the leading factor cited in U.S. Fire Administration reports. "It is something very few people know about or think about," said Enzenberger, whose company specializes in dryer vent cleaning, repair, alteration and installation. "It is the leading cause of dryer fires." Lint accumulation also can cause dryers to stop working or to work inefficiently. A dryer vent clogged with lint can add as much as $18 to $24 per month to energy costs. BEFORE AFTER "Improper venting causes problems, as well," he said. "The dryer exhaust duct and connections should be made of rigid metal or semi-rigid metal and secured with metal heat-resistant tape rather than duct tape. I often find plastic or foil accordion-type material, which can easily trap lint and is more susceptible to kinks and crushing." Warning signs include: Cothes are taking more than one cycle to dry, especially jeans & towels. No lint visible on lint screen. Dryer repeatedly stops during a cycle. Clothes have moldy smell after dry cycle. Clothes are very hot after a dry cycle. The top of your dryer hot to the touch while running. There's excess lint left on your clothing. "This has been a consumer education process, but it's hard to get the word out," said Enzenberger. "Most don't call until they have a serious problem with their dryer." Dryer Vent Cleaning Alteration Repair Installation He suggests people treat clothes dryers as a household item in need of regular maintenance. Something to watch for in spring, birds will begin to build nests, and a popular nesting site for birds is inside dryer vent lines. Spring is an important time to have an inspection and cleaning of clothes dryers and dryer vent systems. $10 OFF Any Future Service! Another important tip - never let your clothes dryer run when you are out of the house or asleep. Limit one per customer. Valid at participating locations only. Can't be combined with any other offers or discounts. Limited time only For more information, visit www.willcountydryervent.com or call (815) 215-2090. 866.498.7233 DryerVentWizard.com DRYERVENT WIZARD a neighborly company LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FRANCHISE MLI New Lenox-based Business Works to Make Clothes Dryers Safer Don't Let Your Dryer Start a Fire! Hidden buildup in clothes dryer vent is fire bazard Most people know they need to clean out their dryer lint tray between each cycle, but what lurks behind the wall is just as important for safety and avoiding fire traps, as well as fully efficient dryer performance. Joe Enzenberger, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard, opened his New Lenox-based business in 2009. * WARNING Lint is the villain - lint that has been allowed to build up and linger too long in the dryer exhaust vent. If your dryer takes longer than one cycle to dry clothes, then you may have a fire hazard in your vent. It is estimated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Fire Administration that 15,500 fires associated with clothes dryers occur annually. These fires account for an average of 20 deaths, 370 injuries and more than $88 million in property damage. "Failure to clean the dryer vent" was the leading factor cited in U.S. Fire Administration reports. "It is something very few people know about or think about," said Enzenberger, whose company specializes in dryer vent cleaning, repair, alteration and installation. "It is the leading cause of dryer fires." Lint accumulation also can cause dryers to stop working or to work inefficiently. A dryer vent clogged with lint can add as much as $18 to $24 per month to energy costs. BEFORE AFTER "Improper venting causes problems, as well," he said. "The dryer exhaust duct and connections should be made of rigid metal or semi-rigid metal and secured with metal heat-resistant tape rather than duct tape. I often find plastic or foil accordion-type material, which can easily trap lint and is more susceptible to kinks and crushing." Warning signs include: Cothes are taking more than one cycle to dry, especially jeans & towels. No lint visible on lint screen. Dryer repeatedly stops during a cycle. Clothes have moldy smell after dry cycle. Clothes are very hot after a dry cycle. The top of your dryer hot to the touch while running. There's excess lint left on your clothing. "This has been a consumer education process, but it's hard to get the word out," said Enzenberger. "Most don't call until they have a serious problem with their dryer." Dryer Vent Cleaning Alteration Repair Installation He suggests people treat clothes dryers as a household item in need of regular maintenance. Something to watch for in spring, birds will begin to build nests, and a popular nesting site for birds is inside dryer vent lines. Spring is an important time to have an inspection and cleaning of clothes dryers and dryer vent systems. $10 OFF Any Future Service! Another important tip - never let your clothes dryer run when you are out of the house or asleep. Limit one per customer. Valid at participating locations only. Can't be combined with any other offers or discounts. Limited time only For more information, visit www.willcountydryervent.com or call (815) 215-2090. 866.498.7233 DryerVentWizard.com DRYERVENT WIZARD a neighborly company LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FRANCHISE MLI