But even with these preventative steps you should clean your dryer vents at least once every 12 months to remove the lint and debris and prevent clogs! If you don't want to do it yourself - hire a Dustless Duct professionals to take care of dryer vent cleaning.
It depends on how much you use your dryer. The more loads you run, the more lint that accumulates. That said, we typically recommend a professional dryer vent cleaning once or twice a year.
It's important for home safety because it disperses air which could potentially clog up ductwork and start a fire. A key benefit of dryer vent cleaning is it removes flammable lint and other debris located on interior surfaces. We recommend cleaning the dryer vent once or twice a year.
On average, professional dryer vent cleaning costs range from $100 to $200. However, remember that this can vary based on the factors mentioned above. Obtaining quotes from reputable service providers in your area is advisable to get a more accurate estimate tailored to your specific circumstances.
Total Square Footage of Vents
The cost of cleaning ductwork is $0.15 to $0.30 per square foot. So, to clean vents in a typical 1,500-square-foot house, expect to pay between $180 and $360.
The household-name company Stanley Steemer provides dryer vent cleaning for $75 to $175.
water collects within your vent system, leading to rusted ductwork and drywall damage. the dryer will require premature repair or replacement due to the inability to vent properly. accelerated lint buildup within the dryer itself, leading to a dramatically increased risk of fire.
Using a leaf blower to clean your dryer vent is quick but may damage ducts and increase fire hazards. Safer DIY alternatives include using a dryer vent cleaning kit or a vacuum with a long hose attachment. Professional cleaning services ensure safety and efficiency by removing all lint and preventing fire risks.
How often should you clean your dryer lint trap? Clean your lint trap after every load.
Our knowledgeable technician's initial step will be to locate the external dryer cap and take it off. They will slip a vacuum and snake brush into the vent, dislodge, and remove any obstructions. They'll use the snake brush to scrub any blockages off the inside of the vents.
The air that cycles through your dryer to dry your laundry also becomes laden with lint, and this is carried through the dryer vent and collects there. Over time, if you don't learn how to clean dryer vent from outside, this buildup becomes inefficient and, eventually, dangerous.
Some dryer vent installations also have an external lint trap, which is also known as a secondary dryer lint trap or a 4″ In-Line Dryer Lint Trap.
Use a brush to loosen any buildup of dust in the ductwork. Lift register and insert vacuum hose as far into the piping as it can go. Turn the vacuum on to capture as much dust as possible that the fan is pushing through the ductwork.
We physically remove the dust, dirt, and other contaminants as we should. We vacuum the ductwork with a powerful HEPA vacuum. We then use agitating tools to dislodge dust and debris. The vacuum removes all the dust from the vents/ducts.
It reduces wear and tear on the dryer
If the dryer vent is not cleaned regularly, then the dryer is forced to work twice as hard to dry your clothes. This excessive strain can wear down crucial parts of the dryer. Regular cleaning helps to improve dryer efficiency, thus reducing wear and tear.
EPA does not recommend that the air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only as needed. EPA does, however, recommend that if you have a fuel burning furnace, stove or fireplace, they be inspected for proper functioning and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.
Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts or go down after cleaning. This is because much of the dirt that may accumulate inside air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space.
Factors Influencing Air Duct Cleaning Costs
Size of Home/HVAC System: Larger homes with more ductwork naturally require more time and effort to clean, leading to higher costs.
Your homeowner's insurance won't cover cleaning, repairing or replacing your ductwork.
Air duct cleaning takes anywhere between an hour and a full day (or more, in commercial HVAC systems cleaning). A standard air duct cleaning would be two to three hours and would cover the HVAC unit, the main return, the vents in the rooms and the air ducts themselves.
It's not necessary to tip your air duct cleaner. You can show appreciation in other ways, like offering a cold bottled water. If you're happy with the job, leaving a positive online review for the company is always nice. You can also share referrals with friends and neighbors looking to have their air ducts cleaned.