So I get this rather nasty letter saying I'm going to be fined $500 because I haven't turned in proof that I'm in compliance with the dryer vent safety rule. Anyone ever heard of this ? I have never cleaned my dryer vent ever in any home I have owned. Letter says the work must be performed by a licenced professional company with minimum of $2,000,000 liability insurance.

Any suggestions of who to call for this service and what does it normally run?

either you live in over-regulated Montgomery County or it sounds like a scam. Check with your condo office. If they recommend a service provider, it's my guess that the office is getting a kickback. Cleaning a vent does not require a trade license like an electrician or a plumber who must comply with code. Since when are homeowners required to contract out something that amounts to household cleaning?

Our association bylaws require dryer vent cleaning annually. Think about it, your lack of attention to this could cause a fire that would effect other unit owners. When you chose to live in a condo or townhome you must abide by the covenants for the safty of everyone else. A year ago there was a fatality here in Fairfax from a dryer vent fire at a complex by Fairoaks mall. Just Google
dryer vent cleaning to find a service that does the work.

busy mommy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Our association bylaws require dryer vent cleaning
> annually. Think about it, your lack of attention
> to this could cause a fire that would effect other
> unit owners. When you chose to live in a condo or
> townhome you must abide by the covenants for the
> safty of everyone else. A year ago there was a
> fatality here in Fairfax from a dryer vent fire at
> a complex by Fairoaks mall. Just Google
> dryer vent cleaning to find a service that does
> the work.

Those fires are usually caused by someone not cleaning the filter in the dryer, not the tubing that vents to the outside. The number of people I've talked to that have failed to clean their dryer vent is astounding. And at least some of them were people you'd think would know better.

i hate condo so many bull shit rules


i'm drowning

busy mommy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Our association bylaws require dryer vent cleaning
> annually.

That's stupid and based off of hysterical fear.

I've cleaned my dryer vent (piping from dryer to outside, not internal to dryer) twice in more than 0 years. Neither time was their "significant" buildup of material other than RIGHT at the outside opening louvers. The piping from dryer to outside is probably at least 10-12 feet long.

The dryer filter itself, however, is cleaned after each use (right up front inside door and very convenient).

Ahem..."0 years" should be "20 years"...

Man, I thought HOA's were bad. I'm so glad I've never lived the condo lifestyle.

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

Read your HOA packet and find out if it can be done yourself. Buy the kit with the fiberglass rods that screw together and use the drill to spin. Remove the outside cover and have someone go inside and turn the dryer on air dry. When they hear the brush reach the dryer, have then turn off the dryer so you know to stop.

Never reverse the drill with the kit

Document buying the kit and doing the work.

Clean up excess lint from outside.

That letter sounds like a joke. A licensed professional to clean a dryer vent?? Are they kidding?

There's a license to clean out dryer vents?????? Ha, ha, ha. April Fool's early.

"Man, I thought HOA's were bad. I'm so glad I've never lived the condo lifestyle"


condo assocition management firms have an effing license to steal


HOA much better



i hate condo's

I used to live in Woodwalk over in Burke and Armstrong Management ran our condo association. We had to provide proof of a semi-annual chimney cleaning & dryer vent inspection. It was a screaming PITA and an extra tax on top of everything else and of course Armstrong had a list of "recommended" vendors in case we needed a suggestion.

We were able to provide a notarized letter stating that we never made fires in our fireplace and get out of the chimney cleaning part but they wouldn't let us attest that we'd cleaned the dryer vent ourselves so we had to have a "professional" come in & do that and yes, it had to be a licensed/bonded/insured person or company so I couldn't claim that my dad did the cleaning & have him type up an invoice.

That's one of the reasons I live in single-family home, in a neighborhood with no HOA right now.

Drysafe Dryer vent cleaning did mine, 703-291-0735

My husband attempted to use one of those cleaning kits from Home depot. The brush broke off inside and made things worse. Finally I just got sick of sticking the dryer vent tube out the window and paid to have it done.

RJ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So I get this rather nasty letter saying I'm going
> to be fined $500 because I haven't turned in proof
> that I'm in compliance with the dryer vent safety
> rule. Anyone ever heard of this ? I have never
> cleaned my dryer vent ever in any home I have
> owned. Letter says the work must be performed by a
> licenced professional company with minimum of
> $2,000,000 liability insurance.
>
> Any suggestions of who to call for this service
> and what does it normally run?

First, they can't just slap down a 500 dollar fine. The fine would be smaller (50 for example) and every month you are out of compliance you would get fined again up to a maximum amount. VA laws govern how much an association can fine you. They also have to send multiple notices first, then call you in for a hearing, and only then can you be fined.

Second, just call your management company and ask.

rickafterburner Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Read your HOA packet and find out if it can be
> done yourself. Buy the kit with the fiberglass
> rods that screw together and use the drill to
> spin. Remove the outside cover and have someone
> go inside and turn the dryer on air dry. When
> they hear the brush reach the dryer, have then
> turn off the dryer so you know to stop.
>
> Never reverse the drill with the kit
>
> Document buying the kit and doing the work.
>
> Clean up excess lint from outside.


Go ahead and clean it yourself and risk everything you have worked for your entire life plus wage garnishments and possible prison time. If that thing catches fire and kills someone your ass will be in a sling.
Our building requires water heater replacement every 10 years. We had some kid on the 3rd floor that blew that rule off. It took us a couple months but we got a judgement against him. We had a plumber a locksmith and a county deputy force entry to his unit and change out the water heater and the cost of all this including legal fees put as a lein against his condo. The look on the kids face was priceless when he came home halfway through the job.

Seriously. The OP was given a chance to review the condo policies before purchasing / renting. It's their fault for not paying attention to important policies.

HOAs and condo associations can be draconian, useful and reasonable, or utterly toothless. What they all have in common are bigger bank accounts and lawyers. Don't fight them unless you are 100% positive you have a case and your lawyer agrees. 999999999 times out of 1000000000 you'll lose.

"condo associations can be draconian, useful and reasonable, or utterly toothless. What they all have in common are bigger bank accounts and lawyers. Don't fight them unless you are 100% positive you have a case and your lawyer agrees. 999999999 times out of 1000000000 you'll lose"


like i said condo magt firms have license to steal... i've no doubt they get kickbacks from firms that do work for condos they manage. they create bullshit projects to increase costs and then don't save funds for/ or neglect big ticket items to help bring about increased condo fees

its a racket

i hate condos

Seems to me the best solution is to call someone to clean it, and send a copy of the receipt to the condo folks. I may be missing something but why not do that?

i hate condos Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> like i said condo magt firms have license to
> steal... i've no doubt they get kickbacks from
> firms that do work for condos they manage. they
> create bullshit projects to increase costs and
> then don't save funds for/ or neglect big ticket
> items to help bring about increased condo fees
>
> its a racket
>
> i hate condos

License to steal? Kickbacks? Paranoid much?

It's real simple. Read your HOA / Condo documents before you buy. You have a legal right to back out of a contract if you don't like the HOA / Condo policies. If you don't, it isn't the association's fault.

You're just like people who try to get laws passed to ban violence in video games or foul language on the radio. If you don't like it, don't buy it, don't listen to that station, don't watch that channel. Be a fucking adult and exercise some control over your life.

For your Dryer vent and AC needs call 4seasons @ 9544643581
Attachments:

RJ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have never
> cleaned my dryer vent ever in any home I have
> owned.

Welcome to the wacky, socialist world of HOA's.

By the way, cleaning your dryer vent is a good idea. That lint shit can be a fire hazard.

Stabitha Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> RJ Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I have never
> > cleaned my dryer vent ever in any home I have
> > owned.
>
> Welcome to the wacky, socialist world of HOA's.
>
> By the way, cleaning your dryer vent is a good
> idea. That lint shit can be a fire hazard.

It's a "socialist world" because people don't their townhouse catching on fire by some idiot next to them who wont clean his dry vent?

People can do what ever they want on their property so long as it doesn't burn or blowup my townhouse down.

Juje Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Stabitha Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > RJ Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > I have never
> > > cleaned my dryer vent ever in any home I have
> > > owned.
> >
> > Welcome to the wacky, socialist world of HOA's.
>
> >
> > By the way, cleaning your dryer vent is a good
> > idea. That lint shit can be a fire hazard.
>
> It's a "socialist world" because people don't
> their townhouse catching on fire by some idiot
> next to them who wont clean his dry vent?
>
> People can do what ever they want on their
> property so long as it doesn't burn or blowup my
> townhouse down.

Whoa.....you dont read or write well do you....ESL?

The socialist reference is the HOA telling the owner who he has to use to clean his vent. And threatening to impose a monetary fine. How do they even know if his vent needs to be cleaned?

Oxyclean Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Seriously. The OP was given a chance to review
> the condo policies before purchasing / renting.
> It's their fault for not paying attention to
> important policies.
>
> HOAs and condo associations can be draconian,
> useful and reasonable, or utterly toothless. What
> they all have in common are bigger bank accounts
> and lawyers. Don't fight them unless you are 100%
> positive you have a case and your lawyer agrees.
> 999999999 times out of 1000000000 you'll lose.

Not true. They bank on the fact of people believing this. I had an HOA dispute and they settled, when I took it to court. They counted on the fact that I believed what you said and had no chance, despite them admitting they did wrong. Despite the admission, they wouldn't reimburse me.

Now would it have been cheaper for me to let it go...yes. But I chose to pay for justice and got it. I think they will think twice about finding me in violation of something, again.

Worth the price, if you ask me.

Go to Craigslist and get the 25 per hour drug addict special, and roll the dice.

It is 5 am and someone in your house throws a shirt into the dryer to remove some wrinkles,then gets into the shower.

15 minutes later your home is fully engulfed, and your fucking hampsters are burnt to a crisp because YOU decided to cut some corners.

Check the BBB or Angieslist

In Fairfax, Code Compliance enforces this. If someone complains about your vent, they come out and do a top to bottom inspection of your home. You have two weeks to fix EVERYTHING or they go to the magistrate.

RJ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So I get this rather nasty letter saying I'm going
> to be fined $500 because I haven't turned in proof
> that I'm in compliance with the dryer vent safety
> rule. Anyone ever heard of this ? I have never
> cleaned my dryer vent ever in any home I have
> owned. Letter says the work must be performed by a
> licenced professional company with minimum of
> $2,000,000 liability insurance.
>
> Any suggestions of who to call for this service
> and what does it normally run?

This seems like a total scam, especially if you clean it out yourself.

Wow, so many idiots talking about things they obviously know nothing about. I'm the president of a condo board that represents 423 units. We require professional dryer vent cleaning annually. The companies we approve to do the service use a huge vacuum system and a mechanical brush device that is snaked through the vent to clear the vent. If you call the Fairfax County Fire department they will tell you that clogged vents cause dryers to overheat and catch fire. On average we have around 18,000 dryer fires every year in the United States. Several years ago we had several people killed in a dryer vent fire at a condo complex within the county, that's why it is required. Insurance companies are also starting to require a certificate of completion/ invoice before writing insurance for the complex.

There is no special license for the companies, just a business license. Some are "certified" but in my investigation that proved to just be a class they paid to attend with the manufacturer of the vacuum/ cleaning systems.

^ How much does that cost because you can buy about 20-30 feet of new vent material for maybe $15.00 and just replace it.

Herb Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wow, so many idiots talking about things they
> obviously know nothing about. I'm the president of
> a condo board that represents 423 units. We
> require professional dryer vent cleaning annually.
> The companies we approve to do the service use a
> huge vacuum system and a mechanical brush device
> that is snaked through the vent to clear the vent.
> If you call the Fairfax County Fire department
> they will tell you that clogged vents cause dryers
> to overheat and catch fire. On average we have
> around 18,000 dryer fires every year in the United
> States. Several years ago we had several people
> killed in a dryer vent fire at a condo complex
> within the county, that's why it is required.
> Insurance companies are also starting to require a
> certificate of completion/ invoice before writing
> insurance for the complex.
>
> There is no special license for the companies,
> just a business license. Some are "certified" but
> in my investigation that proved to just be a class
> they paid to attend with the manufacturer of the
> vacuum/ cleaning systems.

Are you certified to be a HOA President?

Stabitha Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ^ How much does that cost because you can buy
> about 20-30 feet of new vent material for maybe
> $15.00 and just replace it.


If your home is finished the vent is within the wall/ ceiling. Mine is 28 feet long. Units on the side of the building are less but still have vent tube within the wall. Now my sister has a single family home with an unfinished basement, she just replaced the 25 feet or so of flex tubing that runs from under the dryer to the outside. Took her about five minutes to rip it out and about 1/2 hour for my brother n law to run the new one. If the tube is solid pipe, clean it. If flexible foil tubing and you have a unfinished basement, pull it out and replace every year.

I think dryer vent cleaning in multifamilies is a code/law that changed last year. I also think that by licensed they probably mean a licensed contractor. Contractors have specialties but I'm pretty sure dryer vent cleaning isn't one :) for example, my husband has a construction company and he's a "Class A" because he's been in business long enough that he's allowed to do bigger jobs. But he also designates his specialities with the DPOR so even though he never designated road-building, he can still do it. The idea is all licensed contractors have taken tests demonstrating their knowledge of homes, environments and contracts. Better than unlicensed and not understanding dryer ventilation.

busy mommy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Our association bylaws require dryer vent cleaning
> annually. Think about it, your lack of attention
> to this could cause a fire that would effect other
> unit owners. When you chose to live in a condo or
> townhome you must abide by the covenants for the
> safty of everyone else. A year ago there was a
> fatality here in Fairfax from a dryer vent fire at
> a complex by Fairoaks mall. Just Google
> dryer vent cleaning to find a service that does
> the work.

Wonder if he could just forge a receipt...

RJ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So I get this rather nasty letter saying I'm going
> to be fined $500 because I haven't turned in proof
> that I'm in compliance with the dryer vent safety
> rule. Anyone ever heard of this ? I have never
> cleaned my dryer vent ever in any home I have
> owned. Letter says the work must be performed by a
> licenced professional company with minimum of
> $2,000,000 liability insurance.
>
> Any suggestions of who to call for this service
> and what does it normally run?

How long have you lived there? Have you asked other residents about it? Did you just move in, or just get a new dryer? Is this a one-time inspection, or an annual (or whatever) check? I think your first step should be to call the office and ask "What's this about?" Chances are they'll wave the fine if you take care of it promptly.

The Virginia Supreme Court ruled that condo or HOAs have no enforcement power.

You could do the dryer vent yourself and dummy up an invoice stealing an internet logo from a legit company in 5 minutes and make a fraudulent invoice from a legit company, and how can they prove you otherwise?

fightem Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Virginia Supreme Court ruled that condo or
> HOAs have no enforcement power.
>
> You could do the dryer vent yourself and dummy up
> an invoice stealing an internet logo from a legit
> company in 5 minutes and make a fraudulent invoice
> from a legit company, and how can they prove you
> otherwise?

Well, they could call the contractor, couldn't they? Since it's a legitimate safety issue, why not spring for the 50 bucks or so that an inspection and cleaning will cost? in fact, maybe the condo association could make a deal with a contractor to inspect the entire building at a cut rate.

unless your leasing

you did not agree to have HOA specify their own safety standards and insist only licenced hires do work on your home

find the VA law that says cleaning or replacing dryer vents requires a license and i'll take the VA to court over it

no, hoa cannot break the law, they are limited to what effects their property not any home management inside your home: they can't even ask

Mine is not easily accessible. Birds build a nest in it and I burned up a dryer. Fortunately, all I had to buy was a new dryer--not a new house. Have it cleaned.

I just had mine done, its no scam. Our neighbor had a dryer vent fire

kay Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just had mine done, its no scam. Our neighbor
> had a dryer vent fire

A couple of years ago our vent pipe came loose and fuzz went everywhere.
I shut off the dryer and reached into the loose pipe and it was full of
lint, fuzz, whatever. I called a pro and watched him take the whole thing
apart and I was shocked at how much of this stuff had built up over the
years. The tech also cleaned out the bottom of the dryer unit and again,
I was shocked. He told me it's not uncommon for him to have to come in and
clean up after a fire and a lot of people never pay attention to the buildup
until one breaks out. I check it regularly now.

just did mine

thanks for the reminder i only check it like every ?? years

it wasn't half full/clogged yet but plenty of fluff came out

Just tell them you don't have a tumble dryer. Say you are an environmentalist and hang your clothes instead.

Hi,

This is great--widely opposed and entrenched viewpoints on a seemingly simple issue.

I stand in the middle. I had the exact same initial reactions as the annual vent-cleaning doubters, and MAY have considered forging some docs myself, owing to the idiocy of paying a guy $70 (estimates in Fairfax county, as I recall) to come and do it. In the end the condo assoc helped me find a guy that was only $45. I had to do it they said b/c doing it myself was not good enough.

We chatted while he checked my work. I have an engineering background so I thought I'd see what he did that I didn't. Answer--NOTHING!! Still, it was a bargain just to get the big brother off my back. Both he and I, incidentally, took off the sheet metal panels to vac up the stuff in the nooks and crannys. It could be a half hour job in front of the dryer, for a conceicious pro.

More interestingly, it's a long story, but he told me of insights to much of the kinds of corruption others had a gut reaction to suspect. Even worse, he said he'd been approached to 'fake it' by one ass'n mgmt co right here in good old Fairfax county. Apparently they'd done something like forget to send out the annual notices and need some cover(?), I don't recall the exact details.

The lint is extremely flamible. The ducts, which vary enormously in cost and quality, won't generally contain a fire. A spark in the wrong place could trigger the darn thing. The risk is real. On the other hand, cleaning the screen on every load does the task and I have no doubt that for many duct geometries you might go years before a risk. The dryer and its duct system is extremely hampered by constrictions (even 10%), a major consideration.

I met a guy later with an utterly corrupt 'chimney sweep' company. He told me all he did was take a battery powered leaf blower and send a jet down the duct for 30 seconds. It might work, franky, and might be better than nothing. On the other hand, it could tear a flimsy duct, or send a clog to a bad spot.

Another bit of advice after a lot of research: Dont use the cheapo plastic ducts. Try to get the aluminum ones. They may not meet code in FX county and may even have become scarce in hardware stores as a result. Even better are the sheet metal stove-pipe ones, but they tend to be impractical when it comes to modern hookups (tight spaces).

In the case of our condo, a roofing job had left my dryer duct disconnected! All the lint for year had settled in the attic. The state of repair/mainentence etc of many buildings is pretty low.

I just got layed off after 23 years as a professional writer. It occured to me more than once to start doing this. If you have ideas and want to help back me write to this email address: bbb.am2442@gmail.com

Rick

Any male that is not retired and lives in a condo is likely a fag and deserves to get mauled by these management companies that won't let men do manly jobs by themselves.

No, in America, any male who comments on how another male lives, is a faggot.

If you live anywhere where your neighbors can fine you you are not a man. If you allow yourself to be ruled by an HOA you are pathetic. If you are on an HOA board your are a busy body and a loser. It's that simple folks.

KC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Drysafe Dryer vent cleaning did mine,
> 703-291-0735
>
> My husband attempted to use one of those cleaning
> kits from Home depot. The brush broke off inside
> and made things worse. Finally I just got sick of
> sticking the dryer vent tube out the window and
> paid to have it done.


Thanks for this info. I have to get this done by 5/31 and was searching online. Lots of info here. Many Thanks underground neighbors, glad I found this site.

clothesline Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just tell them you don't have a tumble dryer. Say
> you are an environmentalist and hang your clothes
> instead.

i'm half and half (lately not as much - but will be again)

clothes smell better, last allot longer, and wear better dried on a line

dryers are good for idiots who continually destroy and re-buy clothes habitually because they havent' yet learned or because they are strongly monkey see monkey do types

When you live in an HOA community, you LIVE BY THEIR RULES!!! My mother in law learned the hard way when she moved from Falls Church to Lake Holiday in Cross Junction, VA. Her lack of yard keeping and having broken down cars in the driveway caused plenty of fines from citations, I tried explaining to her about HOA's. They control the outside of the home, you can't paint, plant, install, replace or build anything without their approval. This is why we don't live in an HOA,

Vixis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> When you live in an HOA community, you LIVE BY
> THEIR RULES!!! My mother in law learned the hard
> way when she moved from Falls Church to Lake
> Holiday in Cross Junction, VA. Her lack of yard
> keeping and having broken down cars in the
> driveway caused plenty of fines from citations, I
> tried explaining to her about HOA's. They control
> the outside of the home, you can't paint, plant,
> install, replace or build anything without their
> approval. This is why we don't live in an HOA,

I like our townhouse HOA. They require owners to keep their homes looking nice
and SAFE although we don't have any specific rules for dryer vents but I'd rather
not have to explain to a neighbor(s) as to why their house(s) burned down along with mine because I was too lazy to perform basic maintenance.

I've been a contractor for 36years in nva. HOA boards in my experience are usually made up of the most insecure manipulative Assholes who like to have some power over those that they feel inferior to, aka normal hard working people. You wouldn't believe the corrupt egotistical bullshit I've witnessed from Reston, Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax, Centreville you name it. Always some hoity toity jerkoffs that want to make the place they live seem more than it is, and try to feel bigger than they are by pushing their neighbors around. By the way, contractor s now how to make a nice little proffit off these so called all knowing self proclaimed idiots controlling your most valuable asset, your house. Do yourself a favour if you are in an hoa controlled property. Learn the rules and know who is on the board. Make sure there is a person on the board that will watch out for the owners, most of which actually have a life and are too busy to go out of their way just to dictate and fuck with people. I no longer have the patience for the bullshit and would never own anything with an hoa. As for the dryer vent cleaning, yes we do it. There is no training required, and it's a low skill job that guy's with few real skills end up doing. It is necessary and should be done annually. Anyone with some mechanical ability who can look up and read instructions on the internet can do it. Or you can hire it out so you'll have time to be an hoa Asshole like the dipshit above who seems to get off on making some young neighbor s life miserable just because he can. What a jackass.