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keepthetips t1_j28qz8p wrote

Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips!

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1

meehowski t1_j28si38 wrote

I recently overhauled a dryer we have had for about 20 years (due to frayed belt).

I removed about a chihuahua’s-equivalent of old lint from around where the blower is.

I second this message.

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djamp42 t1_j28tjpy wrote

I did the the drill brush kit on Amazon, and man a TON of lint came out, it must have been 10 years.

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NoReallyLetsBeFriend t1_j28uuep wrote

Working in insurance, is a more common claim than you think! These are the types of claims that raise rates too, cuz it can be considered neglect.

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kenlasalle t1_j28yffo wrote

A friend burned his entire house down by not checking his dryer vents. And, when he found out that's what caused it... I still don't think he's over it.

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Echo_Unit t1_j2932j6 wrote

discovered dryer on fire

this kind of dr suess would have really prepared kids for the real world

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ardrarian t1_j295ho4 wrote

Even if things are dire, make sure to check that wire, you wouldn't want your dryer, to start a horrible house fire. No Sam I am, I am no liar. You wouldn't want that, else you'd never find a buyer!

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Seigmoraig t1_j29dijx wrote

The vent is meant to be cleaned after each load. That's why it's right there at the front. Having clean vents also makes your dryer more efficient and takes less time to dry

−5

Emotional-Ebb8321 t1_j29g9ms wrote

I would have thought the dryer would become noticeably inefficient and unable to dry well from the clogged vent long before it became a literal fire hazard.

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aSmallConfusion t1_j29knis wrote

Great tip, OP! I use an electric leaf blower to blow out my vent a couple times a year 😊

Also be aware (in the US) that your 240-volt circuit breaker may be in a different spot than your normal circuit breaker. Mine is outside by the electric meter.

5

ACorania t1_j29qkfb wrote

Throw in there getting your chimney cleaned if you EVER are going burn a fire in there. As it starts getting cold every year I run more and more chimney fires. Another spike right around Christmas from those who don't need it for heat but wanted the atmosphere.

3

ledow t1_j29qsm8 wrote

That's why I use condenser washer-dryers that exhaust through the water drain.

They don't ever get "dry", only the clothes. And though they have a filter, it's in a water drain pipe, so it's never dry. Even the rubber-seals that hold onto every piece of sock-fluff, they are wet at the end of the cycle even if the top of the seal is dry, the clothes dry and hot, and the metal drum hot-to-the-touch.

I looked at "normal" dryers that have those huge air-vents that clog with inches of dry lint in hot air and said "Nope".

Condenser washer-dryers is the way to go. One pipe with water in, one pipe with water + waste out. No vents, no dry air, no dry lint filters, nowhere for lint to collect and heat up.

2

Janner-101 t1_j2a7kw0 wrote

Also appliances like fridges and freezers where dust gathers at the rear around the condenser coils need to be cleaned occasionally. Don’t forget to turn the appliance off before doing so. A quick vacuum cleaner job should be enough.

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WanderingSimpleFish t1_j2aaazg wrote

Parents had a tumble dryer fire 10 years ago- was in the house at the time. Not fun and lost somethings, but took a year to get sorted

3

ww11gunny t1_j2apalv wrote

What if I want the fire due to insurance reasons

2

Afraid-Economist5248 t1_j2aupqj wrote

Suppose you live upstairs in an apartment and they never clean the dryer vents?

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EvilerBrush t1_j2avlft wrote

I have my chimney sweep do my dryer vents once a year the same as my chimney. Also if you have a fireplace and you use it. Get it inspected and swept once a year. Another very common cause of house fires. And insurance will fight you if they find out you haven't kept up on cleaning

3

Missherd t1_j2b0sjd wrote

That’s frightening, now I don’t want to use mine 😳

2

Catspaw129 t1_j2b3v6h wrote

I used a trombone cleaner to snake out all that nasty lint.

2

positivaltitudes t1_j2bkvdl wrote

This post reminded me to check my dryer vent today and it definitely needed some attention.

2

Late-Jicama5012 t1_j2briqy wrote

Years ago our dryer was running too hot and it started to smell a little. So I took the dryer apart, cleaned everything inside.

Disconnected the hose behind it and found a dead bird inside the hose.

Went outside to check the vent hole on the side of the house and found a bird nest with bird eggs in them.

4

JustinianIV t1_j2cldjq wrote

A real lpt finally, had no idea this could happen

2

OakTownPudge t1_j2ctft5 wrote

Did the drill brush routine just this morning

2

bombaygasoline t1_j2dotn5 wrote

One of my friends works at an insurance company for fancy people and told me that as a result of her work, she never leaves the washer or dryer running when she leaves the house. They're responsible for so many claims.

3

VagorSpace t1_j2dqbx0 wrote

Cleaning my vent literally halved the time it took my dryer to work on a load of clothes

2