You need to be aware of how crucial dryer vent maintenance in a commercial building is to the security of both customers and employees. Dryer vents that aren’t cleaned regularly in a commercial building provide a serious fire risk. It is due to the fact that lint accumulates and makes the machine work harder to get the same results. This frequently causes overheating, which enables the lint to catch fire.
In a recent research, it was found that residential dryers cause $35 million in property damage, whereas 2,900 dryers catch fire annually. In America, it is found that the dryer is the most common domestic appliance to catch fire.
As there are more dryers and they are closer to one another in a commercial setting, it becomes a reason for more frequent fire disasters. How to determine whether the dryer vent needs to be cleaned in a commercial building? Or how often must it be cleaned?
Is Your Dryer Vent Clogged? Our Experts Can Help!
The purpose of this article is to educate you on these important questions. Also, what to look out for to safeguard yourself and others from the effects of a dryer fire.
What Signs Tell That The Dryer Vents Need Cleaning?
You can observe several signs that can tell you that the dryer vents in a commercial building need cleaning.
Drying Is Taking More Time To Dry
The most critical sign you can commonly observe is the increased drying time. When you see that your machine is taking longer to dry clothes, it is an alarming situation because it is mostly caused by the blocked vents that must be cleaned ASAP.
Dryer Becomes Unusually Hot
Another warning sign that must get your attention is that the dryer becomes hotter than it usually does. A dryer is always going to be warm during operation. But what is important here is that it should not get to the point where you can physically notice how much hot air is released from the dryer. You can also observe that your customers’ clothes come out extra hot.
Burning Smell
You can often smell burning while operating the dryer. It is because of the lint build-up. As you might know, lint is incredibly flammable. If the fire ever catches around the exhaust, this is where it causes the burning smell. That is the time when you must seek professional help.
How Often Should Your Dryer Vents Be Cleaned In A Commercial Building?
Your dryer vents in commercial buildings should be cleaned every 1–3 months or every 1–3 years.
- High-Volume Facilities require cleaning every 1 to 3 months.
- Hospitality & Healthcare require cleaning every 6 months.
- Corporate & Residential requires cleaning every 1 to 3 years, depending on total usage.
To maintain their optimal performance, it is advised to choose a more frequent cleaning schedule. As a matter of fact, commercial dryers are expensive up front, so it makes sense to have them operating at maximum capacity in order to sustain strong earnings.
The reason for suggesting frequent cleanup is that the buildup of even a relatively small amount of lint puts a significant amount of extra strain on the machine. As a result, it has to expel the damp and lint-filled air through its exhaust. Such behavior leads to longer run times and ultimately reduced profits due to more energy being exerted.
Therefore, cleaning your dryer vents on a regular basis will lower the risk of a potentially catastrophic fire that might destroy your business. Doing so will also benefit financially from a more efficient machine.
How Are Dryer Vents Cleaned In A Commercial Building?
In a commercial building, the dryer vents are always cleaned by a professional. Most buildings have set schedules for cleaning, and this task is outsourced to cleaning professionals. In case an emergency cleaning is required, specialist contractors are called to clean commercial equipment.
Professional dryer vent cleaners inspect the machine and inform if the cleaning is required. They will also inspect the equipment associated with dryers. If they are functioning correctly and are safe, they will then move further.
Once they inspect the dryer vent and ductwork, they will start clearing lint buildup and other debris. After that, they will use specialized cleaning tools to clean commercial dryer vents and deep-clean all ductwork and filters. Once it is all done, they make a report of their work and hand it over to the team.
FAQs
Can I clean a commercial dryer vent myself?
No, you cannot clean a commercial dryer yourself, but they are too big to handle. You must hire a professional cleaner to clean a dryer vent in a commercial building.
What are the warning signs for a commercial dryer vent cleaning?
The most common warning signs that your dryer vent in a commercial building needs cleaning are that the drying time is taking longer, the dryer becomes unusually hot, and there is a burning smell.
Does the commercial dryer’s duct length affect how often we need cleaning?
Yes, the commercial dryer’s duct length greatly affects how often we need cleaning. Because the longer ductwork has more turns, it traps more lint and builds up. However, the shorter one requires less frequent cleaning.
Conclusion
Cleaning the dryer vent in a commercial building is extremely important to avoid unwanted repercussions. If not done in time, it might cause a fire that can lead to great damage because commercial buildings are usually bigger in size.
Different facilities have different requirements for cleaning dryer vents. High-Volume Facilities require cleaning every 1 to 3 months, whereas Hospitality & Healthcare need it every 6 months. The case is different in Corporate & Residential, as it requires cleaning every 1 to 3 years.
So you must keep a log of regular cleaning in your commercial building. Also, you must hire a professional cleaner and ask them to make a log and keep reminding you for the next scheduled clean-up of the dryer vents.
