Dryer Vent Wizard Technicians Uncover Critter Hideaways

When spring and summer arrive, Dryer Vent Wizard (DVW) franchisees across the country experience a noticeable increase in business, though not for reasons accounting and other financial experts might predict.

Indeed, DVW owners and technicians readily know the answer from first hand experience. The company, which specializes in dryer vent repair, replacement, cleaning and maintenance, typically receives calls for service from residential and commercial customers when dryers are overheating or not working efficiently.            

In many cases, the problem is lint build up. It is estimated that poorly maintained or clogged dryer vents are the leading cause of appliance fires, resulting in more than 15,500 dryer fires every year. These are only the reported cases.

Lint is not the only problem. “Spring is nesting season for birds and all types of small rodents,” said Rhonda Nole, a DVW franchisee for the Greater North Bay Area in California since 2007.  “Just imagine that dryer vents make warm, fuzzy condos for little critters.” 

Nole and her technicians, who service Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties as well as Lake and Mendocino, have had more than their share of unusual discoveries from birds, rats, squirrels, and lizards to objects like Barbie doll heads, cell phones, golf tees and more. 

According to Nole, it’s a mystery how some of these items, including animals, get into vents, even when there are wire screens in place.  She revealed how one customer had a rat terrier that would sit and bark at the dryer for hours.  It was a DVW technician who found a rat’s nest clogging the dryer vent. 

Nole described other serious issues she and her technicians have uncovered including bad connections behind the dryer, burnt out wiring and even fires that have already occurred inside the dryer—without the owner’s knowledge. 

“Many people are unaware that lint can smolder for hours and eventually result in a flash fire,” added Nole, who works to educate customers about proper maintenance and regular check ups.  

Nationwide, there are a total of 64 franchisees serving more than 9,000 communities of all sizes.  Along with providing cleaning and maintenance services to help prevent dryer fires, DVW franchisees and technicians help raise public awareness about fire prevention and energy savings. 

Headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Dryer Vent Wizard is a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  For more information and to learn more about franchise opportunities, visit www.DryerVentWizard.com or call 866-498-SAFE (7233).