Why Lint Is a Fire Risk and Not a Nuisance
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A restricted dryer vent is one of the leading causes of home clothes dryer fires, and failure to clean is the most common factor behind them. The everyday warning sign is simple: loads that used to take one cycle now take two.
The mechanism is simple. Lint restricts airflow, restricted airflow raises the temperature inside the duct, and lint is extremely easy to ignite.
Where the lint actually is
The lint screen catches a fraction. The rest travels into the duct and settles at every bend and every joint. Cleaning the screen after each load is good practice and does almost nothing for the duct.
Where this comes from
- Clothes dryer fire safety — National Fire Protection Association
- Chimney inspection levels — Chimney Safety Institute of America