by Dan Shapiro
9. December 2011 09:00
This story should serve as a cautionary tale for all of us. As part of the Island Realty "On Call" emergency service offered to our yearly and winter Landlords, I try to be proactive whenever possible.
I was recently working with a Naval War College family that will be arriving here next August. As part of that process, I suggested the prospective tenant speak directly with the current military tenant to get first hand information about the pros and cons of the house they were considering. Coincidentally, it is one of the properties that participate in the "On Call" program. During that conversation, the current tenant remarked that the dryer took significantly longer than expected to dry clothes. This was relayed to me by the prospective tenant as a very minor issue that wouldn't effect their decision, and both the current and future tenants were somewhat contrite for even mentioning it.
Over the years I've learned that there are only two issues, other than a broken tumbler belt, that would cause the dryer to run long; a burnt out heating element or lint clogging the dryer duct. It's the latter that got my immediate attention. Once I was told that the dryer heats up, I knew there was fire danger, and requested the tenant not use it until the duct was checked.
The next day, the contractor I brought to the house replaced the old duct, having discovered that a long section of it was bunched up behind the dryer. The old duct weighed about 20 pounds (which should have been less than one pound), had a passageway of about an inch and was completely clogged at the exit vent from the house. It was just a matter of time before a lint fire would have started, and very few materials burn hotter.
It's a good idea to regularly check the dryer duct for lint, but if you begin to notice that it's taking longer than usual to dry the load, you now know where to look before it is too late.
Dan Shapiro
Rental Specialist
401.423.2200
islandrealtyri.com