Dont Ignore Your Dryer Vents

When was the last time you had your dryer vents professionally cleaned? If you cannot remember, you may want to consider contacting us at Atlas Chimney to schedule an appointment for this important maintenance service. Many homeowners do not even realize that they should have their dryer vents cleaned by professionals, but this service goes a long way in preventing fires, extending the life of clothes dryers, and saving money and energy. On our staff, we have experts who are Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) Certified Dryer Exhaust Technicians. To receive this certification, they had to pass an exam that covered the proper inspection and maintenance of dryer vents, so you can trust our technicians to do this job correctly and safely. We can even re-route your dryer vent to make it safer and to be less of a fire hazard. We would like to tell you why you should never ignore your dryer vents.

PREVENT FIRES

Lint is an extremely flammable substance. Camping experts like the Boy Scouts of America even recommend using lint to start campfires. When your dryer vent is clogged with lint buildup, it creates a dangerous fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration has reported that around 15,600 structure fires, 15 deaths, and 400 injuries happen every year due to clothes dryer fires. These fires were mostly the result of dirty dryer vents. When Atlas Chimney cleans your dryer vent, we remove every single piece of lint and other debris that have accumulated in your dryer vent and ensure your vent is clean. A professional dryer vent cleaning is the best way to guarantee your clothes dryer is not a fire hazard.

EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR CLOTHES DRYER

When your dryer vent is clogged with lint and other debris, it makes it difficult for your clothes dryer to work properly. Your dryer can easily overheat when the dryer vent is dirty, and this can cause the heating element of your dryer to burn out much quicker than it should. Also, when your dryer overheats, it can ignite the lint that has built up inside the vent and cause a devastating house fire. Having to use two drying cycles to completely dry one load of clothes is a sure sign your dryer vent needs cleaning.

SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY

Running your dryer for two or more cycles to fully dry a load of clothes can end up costing you extra money on your utility bills. Not to mention how much energy is wasted when you must dry clothes on at least two drying cycles. A clean dryer vent will allow your clothes dryer to work more effectively and efficiently. When you are trying to cut back on your utility bills, it is a good idea to have your dryer vent professionally cleaned.

If you cannot remember the last time your dryer vents were cleaned by professionals, it is time to have this service performed. Contact us at Atlas Chimney to schedule an appointment for your dryer vent cleaning to make your dryer work more efficiently and to prevent an accidental residential fire.

The Importance of CSIA Certification

When you are looking for a chimney professional to take care of your fireplace and chimney maintenance and repair needs, you should always look to see if that professional has been certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Known as the standard of the chimney industry, CSIA certification reflects the education and training a chimney sweep has received as well as the trustworthiness of the chimney services he or she provides. When you hire a CSIA-certified chimney sweep, you know your chimney will be properly cleaned and inspected to ensure everything functions efficiently and safely. At Atlas Chimney, our CSIA certifications are extremely important to us, and we would like to tell you more about why this credential holds just as much importance to you.

How does one become certified by the CSIA?

In order to receive certification from this non-profit organization that is committed to fireplace and chimney safety, one must first go through the training and review process. With the options of attending a one-day session in person or of enrolling in a one-week session online, chimney professionals from all over the country have the opportunity to undergo this process. After completing the review session, one must pass two exams. The first exam is a one-hour test based on Successful Chimney Sweeping, a CSIA publication, and on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances. The other exam is a 90-minute open book test on the 2006 International Residential Code. Both of these exams cover topics about chimney performance and safety, building codes and standards, and the care and installation of all types of solid fuel-burning appliances. After passing these exams, the chimney sweep must agree to pay the Annual Certification Fee and sign the CSIA Code of Ethics.

Why is CSIA certification so important for me?

The main reason why this certification is so important to you and other homeowners has to do with the CSIA Code of Ethics. By signing this code, our chimney sweeps at Atlas Chimney agree to uphold specific responsibilities, commitments, and obligations, including:

We will perform our duties by using chimney and venting safety techniques recommended by the CSIA.

We will continue to expand our education by improving our skills and learning new techniques to remain updated on fireplace and chimney safety standards.

We will use honest business practices by refraining from unfair and deceptive dealings and by clearly informing our customers about the essential safety procedures of fireplace and chimney systems.

We guarantee respectful and professional behavior whenever we work on chimneys and fireplaces in the homes of our customers.

To discover the benefits of hiring a CSIA-certified chimney sweep to perform your fireplace and chimney services, contact us at 512-CHIMNEY (512-244-6639). We are happy to show you exactly how important our CSIA certifications are to us.