Why It's Important and How to Do It
Dryer vent cleaning is an important task that can help prevent fires, save energy, and prolong the life of your dryer. Lint and other debris can build up in the vent, reducing the airflow and making the dryer work harder. This not only increases the risk of a fire, but it also wastes energy and causes the dryer to wear out faster.
Why clean your dryer vent?
- Prevent fires: Lint is highly flammable and a leading cause of dryer fires. Cleaning the vent can help remove the lint and reduce the risk of a fire.
- Save energy: When the vent is clogged with lint, the dryer has to work harder to push the air through. This wastes energy and increases your utility bills.
- Prolong the life of your dryer: A clogged vent can cause the dryer to overheat, which can damage the motor and other parts. Cleaning the vent can help prolong the life of your dryer.
Dryer Vent Clogged? How to clean your dryer vent
As often as you like, but we recommend once a year. Once you have the vent cleaned properly, you will want to stay on top of it.
- Unplug the dryer: Before you begin, unplug the dryer to prevent any accidents.
- Locate the vent: The vent is usually located on the back of the dryer and can be either a short or long pipe.
- Clean the lint filter: Start by cleaning the lint filter. This is the screen that you can see when you open the dryer door. Use a brush or your hands to remove as much lint as possible.
- Use a vent brush: Next, use a vent brush to clean the vent. These brushes have a long handle and a brush head that can reach deep into the vent. If you don't have a vent brush, you can use a long-handled brush or a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment.
- Vacuum the vent: Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining lint and debris.
- Reattach the vent and plug in the dryer: Once you've finished cleaning the vent, reattach it to the dryer and plug the dryer back in.
If you do not wish to clean the dryer vent yourself, it is recommended to have a professional dryer vent cleaner handle your dryer vent with professional equipment at least once a year.
By following these simple steps, you can help prevent fires, save energy, and prolong the life of your dryer. Regular dryer vent cleaning is an important part of maintaining your home and keeping your family safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is recommended to clean your dryer vent on a yearly basis for optimum performance of the dryer and lower utility bills.
We charged based on a few different factors such as the location of vent and how dirty the vent is. Please call or email us so we can get a better idea of the layout of your dryer vent.
The service can take anywhere between 15-60 minutes depending on the location and the dirtiness of the dryer vent.
It is possible to do it yourself as we described above. Word of CAUTION: if you do not understand how your dryer duct is constructed, it could fall apart on you if you use the wrong tools. If you are unsure, it is best to call a professional.
You will know when your dryer vent is starting to get clogged if:
- Clothes are damp after a completed drying cycle.
- Clothes are hot to touch because you have to keep running the dryer to get your clothes to dry.
- A red warning light comes on or some other error code.
We have a video probe tool we send down the vent before and after the cleaning to inspect and verify the cleaning is thorough. If the homeowner is around during the cleaning, we also take air velocity readings at the vent before & after the cleaning to record the performance gained from the cleaning.