3 Common Causes For Dryer Fires With Prevention Tips

6/29/2021 (Permalink)

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The restoration professionals at SERVPRO receive numerous calls a year from dryer fires.  

Having a clothes dryer in your home can be easily overlooked as a privilege because everyone seems to have one. However, keep in mind that millions of people in the world do not have the luxury of having their clothes dried in an hour. Although there is one benefit for individuals who do not own a clothes dryer, they don't have to worry about dryer fires.

It is always sad when the professionals at SERVPRO receive calls for fire damage restoration after a dryer fire breaks out. Fire damage will result in the loss of sentimental belongings that are irreplaceable. But, no matter the size of the dryer fire, the SERVPRO professionals will always be there to help. You can count on them to remove unwanted soot damage, ashes, and for cleaning of salvageable contents. 

In this blog post, we will be going over the three most common causes of dryer fires and how to prevent them from occurring. Before we dive into this blog post, remember that most dryer fires are preventable. 

The 3 Causes of dryer fires

1. Lint build-up 
2. Blocked exhaust hose 
3. Animals (unwanted Guests)

Lint build-up

Lint build-up is the leading cause of dryer fires. A dryer fire will occur when excessive amounts of lint obstruct dryer vents. A dryer requires a certain amount of airflow to function properly, and the lint trap is there to collect excess lint. 

Prevention tip: Clean the lint trap after every load of laundry. Also, make sure every individual in the household knows how to remove excess lint. 

Blocked exhaust hose 

A blocked exhaust hose is another major cause of home dryer fires. Dryer exhaust hoses can become kinked when squished against the wall or blocked by too much lint. A blocked exhaust hose can trigger a fire in the dryer and spread outwards. 

Prevention tip: Make sure you inspect the hose for kinks before using your dryer. It is best to keep your dryer a few feet away to prevent kinks. Also, hire duct cleaning professionals yearly to clean out any excess lint accumulated inside the exhaust hose to avoid further issues. 

Small animals 

A small animal can enter through the external venting system connected to the dryer. Most of the time, animals enter the venting system searching for a place to nest their young. The high heat paired with animal fur can result in a dryer fire.

Prevention tip: implanting steel wool and caulking around the edges of the exterior vent will be the best course of action in preventing a dryer fire caused by animals. 

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about the three leading causes of dryer fires. For further protection, it is essential to never leave the house while you're drying clothes. A dryer fire will start quickly but can also be put out just as quickly when noticed in time.

Contact the professionals at SERVPRO of North Fulton if your home does experience a dryer fire and you require fire restoration services. SERVPRO of North Fulton is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, and has all the necessary equipment and certifications to restore any size fire insurance claim. 

When you decide to hire SERVPRO for restoration services, we'll work diligently to get the job done as quickly as possible so that you and your family can return to normal life as if the disaster never occurred. Contact us today for any additional questions regarding fire damage!