I try to approach every call that I do with a comprehensive view. My goal is to reduce your risk of disaster. I routinely inspect for danger of fire, flood, electrical hazard, and gas leaks.

Fire

Most people who call me for dryer vent cleaning are at least aware of the danger of dryer vent fires. However, they may not understand that all fires associated with dryer vents start inside the dryer itself. This is why I make it a priority to clean the dryer thoroughly as well as cleaning the exhaust system. In addition, I completely clean the area surrounding the dryer, removing all combustible materials and retrieving all of the items that have fallen behind and underneath the appliance. Honestly, you simply would not believe how much stuff accumulates around your washer and dryer! I routinely reunite lost treasures with their owners. There are many other ways in which I will try to protect you from fire. One of the worst housefires I ever encountered was not caused by burning lint. It was caused by leaking bottle of fabric softener which was positioned on a shelf above the dryer. The thick liquid dripped down into the back of the dryer and caused a short circuit of the wiring. And easy step to prevent this disaster is to place all liquid containers on a tray or old baking pan to contain any dripping. Anything that uses electricity can cause a fire. I will thoroughly inspect the area and make simple suggestions to make you more fire safe. 

Flood

One of the most common household disasters is a flood from a washing machine hose which has burst. This one hits very close to home for me because I've been through it. A cold water hose burst in the middle of the night and sprayed water for several hours before we found it. The damage it caused was extensive and costly. It was also embarrassing and completely preventable. I knew better but just didn't take the time to change the hoses. I always carry several sets of braided stainless steel hoses. They are made to withstand high pressure and they are your best investment to prevent a flood. This is something that most homeowners can do themselves but they often ask me to do it just to make sure it gets done. I will also make sure that the drain hose is secure. Many floods occur when the drain hose pops out of position. A simple tiedown strap can hold the hose in place. (once again, I am embarrassed to admit that I have had that happen as well).
People don't spend much time behind the washer or dryer. It's where I spent much of my day and I will inspect for any signs of leaking.
Another common source of leaking is from ice maker water supply lines. Even copper lines will eventually corrode and leak, ruining floors and flooding basements. The water line can be replaced with tubing made from polycarbonate material which holds up much better than copper in hard water conditions.

Electrical Hazard

We've all heard the news reports of house fires which were caused by "faulty wiring". It is very common for me to see badly burned wiring, especially around the heating element or thermostat. This is something you simply cannot see unless take the time to clean and inspect properly. I routinely repair or replace any faulty wiring I encounter.
Another way that I try to preclude electrical hazard is to make sure the power cord is properly installed with a strain relief clamp. This applies primarily to electric dryers with a 220 Volt power source. Sadly, most installers do not use the proper clamp when installing the cord. This clamp is vitally important. It transfers the weight of that heavy cord to the back wall of the dryer. Without the clamp,the internal wire connections can come loose and start to arc which can lead to severe damage and fire. Supplying and installing this clamp is a small thing that takes less than 5 minutes but it can prevent a catastrophe.

These steps and many others work toward my goal of reducing your risk of disaster.