Dryer fires start where lint builds up and heat has nowhere to go. In a shared room many machines run for hours, so the buildup is faster and less obvious. A short routine reduces the risk considerably.
Signs Worth Acting On
- Laundry that is hot to the touch long after the cycle ends.
- A burning smell or visible haze near a machine.
- Lint on the wall, floor or behind the machines.
- Vent flaps outside that do not open or are blocked.
- Dryers that shut off before the cycle ends.
What to Clean and How Often
- Lint screens after every load, with a sign asking tenants to do it.
- The lint trap housing and the area under the drum each week.
- Ducts at least once a year, and more often in a busy room.
Check the Ducts
Long, bent or crushed ducts hold lint. Plastic or thin foil accordion duct sheds lint and burns easily. Rigid metal duct with few bends is safer. Every machine should have its own vent to the outside.
What We Can and Cannot Do
We inspect the machines, test the heating controls and safety thermostats, and tell you what we see in the vent. Full duct cleaning in a large building may be a separate trade, and we say so when it is.
If a Machine Overheats
Take it out of service, unplug it and post a sign until it is checked.
Keep the room free of stored boxes, detergent cases and clutter near the dryers. Combustibles stacked against a hot cabinet add fuel to a problem that starts with lint.
Safety checks for dryer rooms are available through commercial laundry repair, from a single room to a whole property. Ask us to include the vent inspection.