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Tuesday May 13 2025

Dryer duct maintenance: A safety reflex to adopt

Did you know that maintaining dryer ducts is one of the simplest… and most effective ways of preventing condominium fires?

Over time, lint accumulates in the ducts, reducing air circulation. The result: the dryer overheats, consumes more energy, operates less efficiently and becomes a real fire hazard.

The high-temperature thermal safety fuse remains continuously activated (on/off) and may subsequently fail. Not only does this increase the risk of fire, it also leads to higher operating cost.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT IN CONDOMINIUMS

Dryer fires are among the leading causes of preventable losses. In addition to the danger to people, a fire can cause major damage: triggering of the sprinkler system, damage to units, interruption of services…

In condominiums, where ducts are often long, partially concealed or not easily accessible, collective prevention becomes essential.

RECOMMENDED CLEANING FREQUENCY

Dryer ducts should be serviced every 2 to 4 years, depending on usage and duct configuration (more often in high-volume buildings or with long ducts).

SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Your clothes (especially towels or jeans) take longer to dry.
They are very hot at the end of the cycle.
The dryer switches off before the end of the cycle.
Burning or hot odor.

POINTS TO CHECK FOR A SAFE DUCT

Concealed ducting in the wall must be made of rigid or semi-rigid metal (aluminum or galvanized steel).
The connecting pipe at the back of the dryer must be metal (white vinyl pipe is not recommended).
Joints must be sealed with metallized tape (never use screws or rivets).
The embossed side of the connecting pipe must point outwards to facilitate air evacuation.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTENANCE?

In general, dryer ducts are for private use, so maintenance is the responsibility of each co-owner. However, many syndicates choose to :

Take charge of maintenance as a group.
Coordinate maintenance planning (often with the property manager).
Charge the costs back to the units concerned.

This approach ensures that preventive maintenance is carried out, limits the risk of fire for all concerned, and optimizes costs. It’s a very good investment, because the cost of such maintenance is minimal compared with the cost of repairing the building in the event of a fire triggering the sprinkler system.

What’s more, when the work is grouped together under the umbrella of the syndicate, the manager’s coordination fees (if applicable) and duct maintenance costs are no more expensive than having the maintenance company brought in individually by each owner.

Elise Beauchesne, CPA, Adm.A