Dryer vent cleaning services clean and sometimes repair the flexible (or sometimes built-in, hard-sided) duct that is attached to the back of your clothes dryer. This duct leads to an outside vent to move the collected lint out of the dryer. Over time, lint can build up inside the lint trap housing, the dryer duct and the mouth of the vent itself, which poses a fire risk and reduces the performance of your dryer. Keeping your dryer duct and vent clean also contributes to better indoor air quality (a blocked vent can cause carbon monoxide to build up in your home) and lower energy bills.
Its a good idea to have your dryer duct and vent cleaned once or twice a yearmore often if you do a lot of laundryto avoid the risk of a clogged vent. With thousands of fires sparked every year by clothes dryers, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, paying a professional to clean your dryer duct and vent is a small price to pay for peace of mind. Homeowners can purchase dryer duct and vent cleaning kits at home improvement stores, but many ducts feature long, concealed vent runs with multiple turns, making it difficult to do the job yourself. Dryer vent cleaning services typically also clean and even repair other types of vents and air ducts, particularly those that make up heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Duct Cleaning and and Dryer Vent Maintenance of Anna, Texas, and IAQ Specialists in Miami, Florida, offer both services.
Some but not all dryer vent cleaning service companies may have certification or training from the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) or Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Christopher Tomlin, owner of Alert Home Fire Safety of Garner, North Carolina, owned and operated by firefighters, recommends checking to see if service providers have certification, as well as reading customer reviews. The technicians employed to clean dryer ducts and vents by Air Duct Cleaning of Longmont, Colorado, are certified by NADCA.
Duct cleaning services, including those that clean out dryer ducts and vents, use either a forced-air vacuum or brush cleaning method (and sometimes both). Coast Power-Vac of Bonney Lake, Washington, uses only the vacuum method, which may be more effective for ducts that have not been cleaned recently.
Many duct cleaning companies offer discounts or package deals on dryer vent cleaning when combined with another related service. Air Duct Cleaning, for example, charges $65 for dryer duct and vent cleaning when hired to clean HVAC ducts at the same time. Chimney Cleaning Service of Springtown, Texas, offers a chimney and dryer vent cleaning package for $150, which is a $45 savings over purchasing these services individually.
Some service providers can capture before-and-after photos of your dryer duct. This service is more common for complete HVAC cleanings, but some companies, including Duct Cleaning and and Dryer Vent Maintenance will take pictures of your dryer duct as well.
In addition to asking about package deals that combine HVAC duct or chimney cleaning with dryer vent cleaning, ask about military and senior citizen discounts.
The owners of Air Duct Cleaning recommend that you always inspect the work that was done before paying.
To keep your dryer duct from needing cleaning as often, pull your dryer several inches away from the wall and always clean the lint screen after each clothing load.