Because less square footage is available for appliances, washers and dryers in apartments and condominiums are often the small, stackable variety. Unfortunately, these are inefficient blowers to begin with and are usually connected to complicated venting systems. Lacking the force to expel heated air through these long vents making right-angle turns, these stacked appliances have no hope of performing efficiently.
Clear signs that there are blockages in the system are clothes that take excessively long to dry, moisture in the laundry closet, dryers that feel too hot, and lint screens that are always clean. Beyond the waste of energy required to run the dryer again and again in order to dry your clothes, the lint that is likely to account for the blockage is cause for concern. Highly flammable, lint that has built up in the elbows joining vent ducts is easily set on fire.
The bottom line is that, if you are living in an apartment or a condominium, your dryer vent needs to be checked and cleaned by a professional. This should be done on a regular basis and will include a check of the vent pipe inside the dryer as well. Since it is unlikely that it will be possible to re-route the vent ducts, it will be necessary for these to be properly cleaned.
That requires special brushes and equipment and the knowledge of how best to sweep out the lint that has accumulated in the vent ducts. This explains why the job is often done by professional chimney sweeps, whose history would suggest another environment altogether. The important thing is that someone whose training and skill are certified be scheduled to perform the cleaning.
Trained to clean vent ducts without damaging them, as often happens when homeowners try to tackle the job themselves, professionals leave you with clean vents and peace of mind. Especially where flexible aluminum ducting is present, the ability to clean it without causing small tears in it is essential. If the aluminum is torn, at least that section of the vent duct has to be replaced, which is far more expensive than a routine cleaning.
By Ronald Caillais on January 26th, 2013 | Tagged with: Tags: dryer vent cleaning, lint buildup |
Comments Off on Living In an Apartment or Condo? Better Get Your Dryer Vent Cleaned
The NCSG, National Chimney Sweep Guild, is a trade association that promotes the success of members, who are part of the chimney and venting industry. Established as a 501(c)(6) association, the NCSG uses public awareness to advance the industry. It also provides progressive services and encourages the ethical accountability and professionalism of its membership.
Membership in the NCSG is available to various players within the industry. Chimney service companies can become voting members for NCSG election purposes. Companies that manufacture and supply goods or services to the chimney service industry may become supplier members. A combination membership is available to a chimney service-supplier company. Individuals or organizations who are not engaged in the chimney service industry but have an interest in it may join as affiliate members.
Chimney service companies based outside of the U.S. are entitled to non-voting international memberships. Retired owners of chimney sweep companies may apply to be senior members. A separate paper and online membership application is provided for each membership category. When a company joins NCSG, membership benefits are available to all of its employees.
Annual dues for a chimney service company voting membership are currently $459. A chimney inspection company that does not sweep may become a voting member. When a company first joins NCSG, its representative must acknowledge and agree to the NCSG Code of Ethics. If membership is renewed without a lapse, the acknowledgement need not be signed again unless the Code changes.
By joining the NCSG, a chimney service company receives access to services that assist in its growth and success. These include technical support, product discounts, networking opportunities, and discounted educational offerings. Members are expected to conform to the NCSG Code of Ethics and failure to do so could result in disciplinary action. Chimney professionals can learn more about the Code and NCSG membership benefits on the NCSG website.
In many areas, there is an abundance of firewood because local forests are repopulated to help with the environment. This means that there is an abundance of local wood that can be burned without worrying about the local ecology. Some people think that it is better to buy wood that has come from other areas, but this is wrong for many reasons.
First, even dried wood that is collected for fires can have bugs and parasites that may not be native to the area. If these invasive creatures get into the local trees, they can do a great deal of damage and can actually wipe out forests. This can have a devastating effect to the local ecology that can take decades if not centuries to repair.
Next, local firewood can actually be much cheaper than purchasing firewood that has been imported from another area. Some also prefer to cut down their own wood and replant from their own land because that is the least expensive form of heat. It is always a good idea to support the local economy and if a few dollars are saved in the bargain, it just makes sense.
Finally, when you buy local wood, you will know whether there been any chemicals or paints that were used in proximity of the wood. It is not safe to burn wood in a fireplace or wood stove that has been treated with any type of chemical. These chemicals can cause poisoning of the people who are in the home when the wood is being burned.
Protecting the environment is very important to just about everyone, which is why it is important to use local wood. Burning woods that have been brought in from other areas means that you may not know where it comes from. It could contain parasites or even chemicals that are harmful to local trees or those who are around when the wood is burning.
By Ronald Caillais on January 11th, 2013 | Tagged with: Tags: environmental impact, local firewood |
Comments Off on Why You Should Only Burn Local Wood
When a fire is started, the air in the chimney warms and becomes less dense than air outside this area. The thinner air naturally begins to rise and cooler air flows into the firebox from the room, fanning the fire and creating more heat. However, there are many reasons that a fireplace may not operate correctly.
A closed damper is one of the most common reasons for fireplace failure. The user may forget to open the damper or soot buildup or water damage may prevent this component from opening fully, making professional cleaning necessary. Soot also accumulates in the chimney and if deposits become thick enough, the flue may be restricted, preventing the fireplace from venting properly, which can also be resolved through professional cleaning.
Firewood that is wet or is not well-seasoned will create more smoke than heat, preventing the chimney from functioning correctly. Keep firewood as dry as possible, protecting it from moisture like snow and rain. While wood can be kept outside, a chimney located on an outside wall may not operate as efficiently as one in the interior of the home.
Chimney construction may inhibit fireplace operation. A chimney should be ten to 12 feet high or higher and project at least three feet above the roof and two feet higher than anything that is within ten feet. Another problem may be that the flue is too small (more than ten times smaller than the chimney opening) because it may send smoke back into the room.
If the home leaks too much air, a draft effect may overpower the chimney. If it is too tightly constructed, the air exiting the home may not be replenished with new air to feed the fire. In either case, the fireplace may smoke and burn sluggishly. Have the fireplace inspected to diagnose whether these or other issues are preventing it from working.
