Orlando Home Fire Cause by Dirty Dryer & Duct

Not Cleaning the Clothes Dryer and Duct is the Major Cause of Orlando Dryer Fires!

Modern home appliances are safer today than they were just a decade ago, but the amount of fires has not decreased. Failure to clean the dryer and ducts accounts for more than 34 percent of the dryer fires in the United States. This is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires. Other causes include manufacturing defects and poor installation. Foreign manufacturing and foreign component suppliers are another cause. Increasing quality issues are associated with the extremely rapid growth of fires connected with appliances. More home clothes dryer fires occur in the fall and winter months and peak in January. 

You should check your dryers and appliances out for manufacturer defects and recalls at https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls .

What Type of Dryer is Your Home Designed for?

The dryer manufacturers set limits of the length and type of duct that can be used with their dryers. These limits are based on the type of equipment installed in the dryer. Damp lint requires a certain volume of air to move it through the ducts. Homeowners will often select a dryer and make it fit their house. Some dryers are designed with larger motors and fans to move the lint farther.  Economy or inexpensive dryers often have the smallest motors and fans. All dryers are not created equal.  

Dryer Duct Design and Orientation Limits the Length .

The type of duct material, vent hood, the number of turns the duct and orientation, horizontal or vertical affect the length of the duct.  Below is the dryer manufacturers' requirement based on the model of dryer.

Ducts should have no mechanical fasteners.

The type of material used for the duct is very important in venting lint and moisture. Each 90-degree turn decreases the length of the duct by 5 feet. The use of a flat hood decreases the length by half. Using flexible vent ducts also cuts the length by half.  Rigid metal ducts are required to be taped at the joints and not fastened by screws.  The screw shank protruding into the duct creates and place for lint to accumulate.

Flexible and vinyl ducts are not allowed

because they collect lint and are a fire hazard!

Homeowners often choose flexible metal or vinyl duct for their ease of installation. These types of ducts are not allowed for use on a dryer in many areas due to the fire hazard. Flexible ducts have many areas for lint to accumulate within the duct. Vinyl and PVC when heated create an electrostatic charge that attracts lint, these are not allowed.  Most municipalities and building codes require rigid metal ducts without mechanical fasteners. These rigid ducts have fewer areas to collect lint and obstruct the airflow.

Clogged gooseneck dryer vent on the roof.

Gooseneck dryer vent hoods are common in Deltona and often clogged due to the location on the roof. The homeowners are either unaware of them or just forget about them until they become a problem. Most of these types of vents we inspect are clogged. Many of these types of vent hoods when clogged cause the duct to separate in the attic. Damaged ducts pump moisture and lint into the attic causing moisture damage, wood rot and mold growth. Gooseneck hoods because of their location on the roof should be scheduled for yearly inspection and cleaning by a professional. 

Annual Dryer Duct Inspection and Cleaning

All dryer ducts should be inspected and cleaned yearly. Check with your Home Inspector when you buy your home. A dryer duct inspection may reveal improper installation or materials. If you have a larger family and use the dryer daily or more often, your ducts may require semi-annual cleaning. Less frequent use may only require biennial cleaning.  Protect your family and sleep soundly at night.  Have your ducts inspected and cleaned in the fall when you change your smoke detector batteries. 

Frank Carr, Florida Licensed Home
Inspector

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

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Premier Winter Park Home Inspection Services

Winter Park Home Inspection Services

First Choice Home Inspections (386) 624-3893

Now you can put our outstanding reputation for service and reliability to work for you. When the safety of your family and new home really matter, choose the best inspector your can find.  By contracting First Choice Home Inspection, you benefit from Central Florida's premier home inspectors that deliver computerized reports using the latest technology.  Our reporting system meets and exceeds the state standards. We encourage your presence during the inspection. By being present at your Winter Park home inspection, our professional home inspector can familiarize you with your new home and explain things to you as they progress through the inspection.

WINTER PARK HOME INSPECTORS

First Choice inspectors are bound to a strict code of ethics; this ensures quality service while providing important protections. For example, our inspectors must:

• Work Exclusively for the Client
•  Follow Nationally Accepted Standards of Practice
• Do Not Perform Repairs on Any Property Inspected

Our inspectors are AHIT and InterNachi certified in addition, they are familiar with a wide variety of situations. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.

 

Home Inspection SERVICES in ORANGE County FLORIDA

• Home Inspection  (Buyer, Seller and Maintenance)
• New Home Warranty Inspection
• Home Checkup Inspection
• Manufactured Home Inspection
• Mobile Home Inspection
• 4pt Insurance Inspections
• Wind Mitigation Inspection
• Pool/Spa Inspection
• Roof Condition Certification
• Moisture Intrusion Inspection

SCHEDULE A HOME INSPECTION:  (386) 624-3893

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/+FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsDeltona

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn

The First Florida Building Code

The Florida Building Code

The Florida Building Code became effective on March 1, 2002 and was created by the law ratified by Florida Legislature in 1998. The Florida Building Commission was motivated to create the first state-wide building code after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida on August 24, 1992.  Just because we have it now, people assume we have always had a building code in Florida.  New home buyers always ask my if the house they are buying is built to code.  As a home inspector we do not quote code but the code in Florida is new.  If you are buying a home built before 2002 the question, "Is the home built to code?" is not relevant. 

South Florida Building Code

South Florida Building Code has been around much longer. The reason for creating the South Florida Building Code was tropical and hurricane storm damage.  Between 1900 and 1950 108 Hurricanes affected the State of Florida resulting in 3,500 deaths and property damage that would be equal to 4.5 billion dollars in today's currency.

In South Florida, a panel was formed and they worked with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and other research groups to devise wind-loading design. They created a formula for calculating anticipated wind loads from hurricane force winds, taking into account both the wind speed and the height above ground.  Miami-Dade County commissioners voted October 29, 1957 and the South Florida Building Code became effective in Miami-Dade County, December 31, 1957.  Broward County later adopted a modified version of the South Florida Building Code, Dade County Edition.

Florida Building Code Background

When Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida, it exhibited a serious statewide deficiency in home construction standards. Our antiquated system of locally administered building codes and enforcement was inadequate. A statewide building code and enforcement agency was needed. Compliance or enforcement in a single county could affect homeowner insurance companies statewide.

Andrew broke all previous records for insurance losses at the time, and was the direct source of Florida's worst insurance catastrophe. Florida was seriously under-insured and overexposed; insurers suddenly comprehended that all of the worst case calculations were completely underestimated. 

Many insurers just left Florida and the ones that stayed raised rates to staggering new levels in order to avoid the very real risk of sudden bankruptcy following another huge storm. Homeowners all over Florida were affected as they saw their rates rise drastically and found a lack of available new insurance threatening to pull the plug on development in every part of the state.

We were using the 5th Edition of the Florida Building Code from 2014. The Effective Date for the Florida Building Code 6th Edition (2017) is December 31, 2017.

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties.  Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.

First Choice Home Inspections 
(386) 624-3893
Email:  home.inspections@aol.com
Website:  http://1homeinspector.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn

Radiant Barriers Save Orlando Homeowners Money

What is a Radiant Barrier? Are they effective at reducing my energy bill?

We inspect a lot of hot dusty attics, some are 165° F. We see all kinds of situations where attic insulation is insufficient, ventilation is inadequate, and rarely find radiant barriers installed in attics. According to the Department of Energy Radiant Barriers work best in hot climates when used in conjunction with sufficient insulation and ventilation. Studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs 5% to 10%. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system or improve effectiveness of an under rated systems.

Radiant barriers are installed in homes primarily to reduce summer heat gain and reduce cooling costs. Radiant barriers do not reduce heat conduction like thermal insulation materials. The barriers are comprised of a highly reflective substrate or foil that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it.

Heat Transfer

Like a cool spoon in cup of coffee conducts heat through its handle to your hand; heat travels from a warm area to a cool area by a combination of conduction, convection, and radiation. Heat flows by conduction from a hotter location within a material or assembly to a colder location. Heat transfer by convection occurs when a liquid or air, becomes lighter and rises. When liquid or air cools, it becomes heavier and falls. Radiant heat moves from hots surfaces and is absorbed by cooler materials or air. A car parked in the sun will absorb the radiant heat into the cars finish and transfer the heat thru the metal into the interior where it heats the air inside the car.

How Radiant Barriers Function

Most insulation materials work by slowing heat transfer. Radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems are designed to reduce the transfer radiant heat. Radiant barriers must have an air space to work. Radiant barrier are less effective when installed horizontally. Dust accumulation on the reflective surface reduces its reflective properties.

As the sun heats your roof, it makes your roof hot. The heat travels through the roofing materials to the attic side of your roof. It radiates the increased heat energy onto the cooler attic materials, the air conditioning ductwork and the ceiling of your home. A radiant barrier reduces the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic.

Radiant Barriers help air conditioners cooling capacity

Radiant barriers are more effective in hot climates than in cool climates, especially when cooling air ducts are located in the attic. Some studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs 5% to 10% when used in a warm, sunny climate. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system. In cool climates, however, it's usually more cost-effective to install more thermal insulation than to add a radiant barrier.

 

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties.  Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.

First Choice Home Inspections 
(386) 624-3893
Email:  home.inspections@aol.com
Website:  http://1homeinspector.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn

 

Orlando Air Quality, Sealing Your Building Envelope

 

The most cost-effective way to cut heating and cooling costs, increase stability, improve comfort levels, and create a healthier interior atmosphere is to reduce the amount of air that flows in and out of your home. Before considering improving insulation or installing a vapor barrier, you should take care of those drafty utility penetrations, windows and doors. Weather stripping and caulking around doors, windows and utility penetrations are two simple and effective techniques for air-sealing that offer quick returns on investment. Weather stripping is used to seal components that move, such as entry and garage doors and operable windows. Weather strips take a lot of abuse and wear out frequently over a home’s lifetime, check them quarterly and replace as needed. Caulking (interior and exterior) is generally used for cracks and openings between stationary house components like; doors, windows, masonry cracks and ledges, utility penetrations any trim or siding joints.

Air Leakage

Air leakage occurs when outside air enters and conditioned air leaves your house uncontrollably through cracks and openings. When it is cold or gusty, an excessive amount of air may enter the house. During summer or warmer weather, conditioned air exits the building envelope, which can result in poor indoor air quality. Air leakage also causes moisture problems that affect the structure’s durability and the occupants’ health. Condensation is a major contributing factor to wood rot in most homes. An added benefit is that sealing cracks and openings decrease drafts, cold spots, and improves comfort. It is important to seal the fire barrier between the home and garage to reduce the chances of carbon monoxide poisoning. Never rely on air leakage for ventilation.

Detecting Air Leaks

The best way to reduce air leakage and controlled ventilation is to have a home energy audit performed on your home. The test, when performed by a licensed professional, will identify air leaks, air quality and if additional ventilation is needed. Before sealing air leaks, assess your ventilation needs for indoor air quality.

If you are planning an extensive renovation of your home, review techniques used for air sealing in new home construction and consider a home energy audit to identify all the ways your home costs you money by wasting energy. To seal air leaks, apply air sealing techniques and materials, including caulk and weather stripping.

How to Seal Air Leaks

Common places air leaks are found:

• Check the weather stripping on doors and windows.
• Check caulking on doors and windows. Old, dried and cracked caulking should be removed and replaced. There are many types of caulking for many different applications. You should know what type of caulk you should use before sealing those leaking windows.
• Check caulking where utility penetrations come thru exterior walls. Check plumbing, ducts, electrical wiring, cable TV and telephone cables comes through the floors, exterior walls, ceilings, and soffits.
• Install foam gaskets on electrical outlets and switches on perimeter walls.
• Dirty spots on insulation may be an indication of air leaks and mold. Look for leaks and seal with low-expansion spray foam. Large gaps may require the installation of flashing.
• Dirty spots on your walls, often around electrical receptacles and switches, or ceilings by vents or light fixtures, may indicate air leaks. Use foam gaskets or spray foam to seal leaks.
• Single-pane windows allow hot and cold air to transfer. Double-pane low-emissivity windows are more efficient and the cost to upgrade will be recouped in energy saving over a few years.
• Use foam sealant on larger gaps around windows, baseboards, and other places where air may leak out.
• Check your kitchen exhaust fan for air leaks. Stop air leaks by upgrading the exhaust fan or cover the vent to stop air leaks when not in use.
• Check your dryer vent to be sure it is not blocked. Lint will keep the dryer vent door from closing allowing air to leak in and out of your home. This will save energy and may prevent a fire.
• Check the bottom door sweep and threshold for pliability and damage. Replace damaged seals with energy efficient pliable sealing gaskets.

Fireplace Flues, Dampers and Chimneys

Fireplaces are a major source of air outflow. Keep the fireplace flue damper tightly closed when not in use.

• Seal air leaks around fireplace chimneys, furnaces, and gas-fired water heater vents with fire-resistant materials such as sheet metal or Sheetrock and furnace cement caulk.
• Check your makeup air vent damper to ensure it seals properly.

Fireplace flue damper doors are made from metal, constant heating and cooling can cause

the doors to warp, crack or break, creating a passage for air loss.

One way to seal your flue when not in operation is an inflatable chimney balloon. A chimney balloon is made of durable plastic and can be reused many times. It installs easily beneath your fireplace flue and can be removed easily. The balloon will automatically deflate within seconds if it becomes heated, if you forget to remove the balloon before making a fire. Balloons are available in various sizes online and in retail shops.

Sealing air leaks will not eliminate the need for proper insulation or radiant barriers that reduce heat flow through a home’s building envelope.

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties.  Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.

First Choice Home Inspections 
(386) 624-3893
Email:  home.inspections@aol.com
Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Orlando Home Inspection

Orlando / Daytona Beach Metro Areas Home Inspections

First Choice Home Inspections, is the premier home inspector service provider for Orlando / Daytona Beach Metro areas and Central Florida.  We service Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia, and Lake Counties of Central FL.  We also service areas of Brevard, Flagler, Marion, Polk, and Sumter Counties. 

 

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties.  Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.

First Choice Home Inspections 
(386) 624-3893
Email:  home.inspections@aol.com
Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Orlando Fire Hazards from Clogged Dryer Vents

We started blogging about clogged goose neck dryer vents in 2011, today we still see just as many every day in the Orlando area during the home inspection process.  Because they are located on the roof, the homeowner does not see them and they are mostly overlooked until the dryer is not working or worse a fire happens.

As a home inspector, one of the biggest safety hazards I see daily is dryer vents.  Dryer fires are among the top ten reasons for home fires and cause more than 15,000 fires annually.  Dryer exhausting through the roof should duct to a special dryer roof vent without screen.   

The roof vent or louvered plenum must be equivalent to a 4 inch wall termination in regard to resistance to airflow and back-flow prevention, and should require little or no maintenance to prevent clogging.

Home built in 2013 goose-neck looks shiny and new.

2013 home inside of goose-neck vent.

There are many issues with this type of vent.  It must be a vent that has a back-flow prevention flap and it should not have a screen.  Many of the goose-neck type of vents come with screens and are unsuitable for dryer venting.  

Goose neck vent with a screen

Totally blocked dryer vent.

Inoperable back-draft damper.

Goose-neck with screen was clogged.  Improper duct type.

Lint exhausted into attic damaging roof decking.

1. Dryer ducts must be at least 4 inches in diameter or at least the size of the dryer outlet. The exhaust duct must not extend into or through heating or air-conditioning ducts. The exhaust duct system should be supported and secured by mechanical fasteners. It should be insulated in non-conditioned spaces to prevent condensation.
2. The maximum length for a clothes dryer exhaust duct should not exceed 25 feet. This length should be decreased by 2.5 feet for every 45-degree bend the duct makes, and 5 feet for every 90-degree bend the duct makes.
3. The dryer exhaust ducts should be constructed of rigid metal (galvanized steel). The interior of the duct should be smooth surfaced with the joints running in the direction of the airflow. There should be no sheet-metal screws, rivets or any other fastener used to connect the duct joints. Fasteners that penetrate into the airway will catch lint and block airflow. 
4. Foil duct tape (not plastic or vinyl) should be used to secure joints. Outside termination must be equipped with a back draft damper, which prevents air, moisture and rodents from entering. The termination must not have a screen covering the exhaust outlet.

I have seen all of these used for dryer roof vents.  Just because they are sold at the hardware store does not make them right.

 According to the IRC:

- M1502.3 Duct termination.

- - Exhaust ducts shall terminate on the outside of the building.  Exhaust duct terminations shall be in accordance with the dryer manufacturer’s installation instructions.  If the manufacturer’s instructions do not specify a termination location, the exhaust duct shall terminate not less than 3 feet (914 mm) in any direction from openings into buildings.  Exhaust duct terminations shall be equipped with a back draft damper.  Screens shall not be installed at the duct termination.

In the opinion of this home inspector, the biggest problem I see with the roof vent is out of sight out of mind.  Each year many people die in home fires that start at the dryer.  Prevention is often easy and requires little effort.  Dryer vents should be cleaned annually but in the case of roof top vents I recommend semi-annually.  

Clothes dryers a leading cause of home fires in Orlando

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide. Http://1homeinspector.com

First Choice Home Inspections 
(386) 624-3893
Email:  home.inspections@aol.com
Website:  Http://1homeinspector.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc