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14 | September 7, 2017 | 22nd century media home improvement Guide 22ndCenturyMedia.com New Lenox-based business works to make clothes dryers safer Hidden buildup in clothes dryer vent is fire hazard Most people know they need to clean out their dryer lint tray between each cycle, but what lurks behind the wall is just as important for safety and avoiding fire traps, as well as fully efficient dryer performance. Joe Enzenberger, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard, opened his New Lenoxbased business in 2009 to help make dryers safer. Lint is the villain — lint that has been allowed to build up and linger too long in the dryer exhaust vent. It is estimated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Fire Administration that 15,500 fires associated with clothes dryers occur annually. These fires account for an average of 20 deaths, 370 injuries and more than $88 million in property damage. “Failure to clean the dryer vent” was the leading factor cited in U.S. Fire Administration reports. “It is something very few people know about or think about,” said Enzenberger, whose company specializes in dryer vent cleaning, repair, alteration and installation. “It is the leading cause of dryer fires.” Lint accumulation also can cause dryers to stop working or to work inefficiently. A dryer vent clogged with lint can add as much as $18-$24 per month to energy costs. “Improper venting causes problems, as well,” he said. “The dryer exhaust duct and connections should be made of rigid metal or semi-rigid metal and secured with metal, heat-resistant tape, rather than duct tape. I often find plastic or foil, accordiontype material, which can easily trap lint and is more susceptible to kinks and crushing.” Warning signs include: •Clothes are taking more than one cycle to dry, especially jeans and towels. •No lint is visible on the lint screen. •Dryer repeatedly stops during a cycle. •Clothes have moldy smell after a dry cycle. •Clothes are very hot after a dry cycle. •The top of the dryer is hot to the touch while running. •There’s excess lint left on clothing. “This has been a consumer education process, but it’s hard to get the word out,” Enzenberger said. “Most don’t call until they have a serious problem with their dryer.” He suggests people treat clothes dryers as a household item in need of regular maintenance. Consumers can protect dryer performance and promote safety by cleaning the lint screen between each use, ensuring the connection between the dryer and wall is made of compliant material and remains unkinked, and having the dryer exhaust duct cleaned regularly. Dryer manufacturers recommend inspection and cleaning at least annually. Now is the perfect time to have an inspection and cleaning of clothes dryers and dryer vent systems. Another important tip: never let a clothes dryer run when everyone is out of the house or asleep. Submitted by Dryer Vent Wizard. For more information, visit www.dryerventwizard. com or call (815) 215-2090.
22ndCenturyMedia.com home improvement Guide 22nd century media | September 7, 2017 | 15 Kitchen Makeover Event Express Kitchen & Bath offers full-service remodeling to its valued customers Express Kitchen & Bath has been family-owned and operated since it was established in 2000, functioning primarily as a modest, cabinet-distributing business. As Express Kitchen & Bath grew, they saw the need to connect directly with the homeowners. They opened their first showroom at the corner of 95th Street and Ridgeland Avenue in Oak Lawn in 2003. In 2014, they moved to a new and expanded location in Frankfort, allowing their customers a choice of more products and accessories. They are a full-service kitchen- and bathroom-remodeling company, offering a broad range of services. Express Kitchen & Bath offers the best in cabinet selections, with product lines from Wolf Cabinetry, Marsh Cabinetry, Foremost, Sagehill Cabinetry and Jeffrey Alexander Cabinetry. Their showroom offers tile, hardware, countertop and flooring choices to complete customers’ designer projects. They offer those that are aging in place the ability to transform their bathrooms into safe, comfortable areas with walk-in tubs, accessible showers, grab bars and tub-to-shower conversions. Their Express Kitchen & Bath design consultants, along with their interior designer, offers the best designs in functionality, layout and space planning. They are a professional company priding themselves on their beautiful designs, quality installations and affordable price points. They have remodeled thousands of homes, from the suburbs to the high-rises of downtown Chicago and surrounding areas. Their customers are their first priority, and they provide them with a functional design, high-quality products and a timely install. They work with the client’s budget and design needs; whether it is a countertop or full gut and remodel job, no project is too small. They value all their clients and aim to satisfy the customer’s design needs. Express Kitchen & Bath offers customers professional designs, quality products and outstanding craftsmanship at an affordable price. Submitted by Express Kitchen & Bath, 9500 W. Manhattan Monee Road, Frankfort. For more information, call (815) 469-4500 or visit www.expresskitchenandbath.com. Stop by and select your slab of granite or quartz $500 off Including -sink and faucet hookup -plumbing -countertop & backsplash installation - Purchase your new stone countertop & tile backsplash by October 1st and receive a $500 discount!! 9500 W Manhattan MoneeRd Frankfort, IL 60423 expresskitchenandbath.com 815-469-4500
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