Smooth operation and minimized fire risk
Keeping your dryer vent clean is essential for your home's safety and your dryer's efficiency. But when the time comes to tackle this important task, you may wonder—who cleans dryer vents?
Your best course of action for a quick and thorough vent cleaning is to hire a local dryer vent cleaning company. Learn the benefits of cleaning your dryer vents and know when it’s time to call a pro.
A blocked or dirty dryer vent can pose a fire hazard to your home. When lint accumulates in the vent, the heat from your dryer could cause the lint to combust, triggering a spark that can start a fire. That’s why having your dryer vent professionally cleaned every year is so important.
Every time you wash and dry a new laundry load, lint and debris accumulate in your dryer vent. This build-up poses a very real fire hazard. A professional dryer repair technician is trained to thoroughly clean the vent system to remove blockages and reduce fire risk. The average dryer vent cleaning costs between $100 and $185.
Dryer repair techs have extensive HVAC knowledge to understand the airflow dynamics and proper ventilation of a dryer vent system. These pros can also spot and address other issues while cleaning, such as signs of wear and tear or damage in the vent system. Proactively checking for these issues can extend your dryer’s life and avoid costly repairs down the road.
The average DIY homeowner can learn how to clean a dryer vent using a basic cleaning method. Use a vacuum and a long, flexible brush designed for dryer vents to remove lint to reduce some of the fire hazards. DIY kits and tools are available to guide you through the process.
While a basic cleaning can work well in a pinch, it is best to hire a local dryer repair technician or professional dryer vent cleaner to finish the job. Dryer vent systems can be complex, with bends and long ducts that are hard to reach without specialized equipment.
General contractors with HVAC skills can also clean dryer vents, provided they have the right equipment to do the job.
A benefit of using a general contractor is they have an eye for overall home safety and could help uncover other issues around the dryer vent that may need to be fixed. They could spot structural issues or damage, improper installation or venting materials, and other issues that don’t meet current building codes.
Technicians start by disconnecting the dryer from the power source and vent. Using high-powered vacuums, flexible rods, and rotating brushes, they meticulously remove lint, debris, and obstructions from the entire vent system, including hard-to-reach areas. Dryer repair techs will inspect the vent for any damage or potential issues to ensure proper airflow and safety.
Once cleaned, they reassemble and test the system to confirm its efficiency and safety. If they think you should address any other dryer issues, they’ll let you know.
The average cost to professionally clean dryer vents is around $140. This can vary depending on where your dryer vent is located and how long it is. A professional can also install vent guards to keep out pests and address any damages to the dryer vent.
If your dryer vent is longer than six feet or goes up through the roof, it's best to hire a professional since a regular vacuum may not clean it thoroughly. A dryer vent cleaning pro will have the appropriate tools to get the job done well.
