Your dryer will overheat continuously and result in a fire hazard. If the vent is blocked, mold and dust will accumulate and have nowhere else to go – except inside your house. This can result in serious health problems, maybe even respiratory difficulties.
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.
"Your dryer will likely not function as well if you do not clean the vent properly, and could potentially damage the appliance or improperly dry your clothing," explains Martinez. Dryer vents accumulate highly flammable lint and failure to clean out lint is the leading cause of dryer fires.
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.
If you have long ductwork or inaccessible dryer vents, you have no choice but to call the professionals. Not only will a seasoned HVAC specialist have the expertise needed to service your complex ductwork, but they will also be the only ones with suitable enough equipment to clean your ducts correctly.
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.
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.
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.
Overheat Shutoff
If your dryer is getting too hot due to trapped heat and moisture because of a log or blockage in the vent line, the machine may turn off mid-cycle. This fail-safe is the dryer manufacturer's final effort to prevent a dryer fire, and should be taken as a sign that immediate service is needed.
No air movement - If your lint screen is located on the top of your dryer, this is easy to check: pull out the lint screen and set the controls to "Air Dry" or "Air Fluff." Start the dryer, and place your hand inside the lint trap area. If you feel air movement, your house venting is probably clear.
Find Dryer Vent Cleaning Near You
Call 1-800-STEEMER® or enter your zip code to check availability.
Consider the influence of unclean ducts on the HVAC system's efficiency and health. A more significant amount of pollutants jeopardizes the air quality and impacts the performance of your HVAC systems. In addition, not having ducts cleaned leads to the unit's shorter lifespan.
To keep laundry day moving efficiently, you want to make sure your washer and dryer are in optimal working condition. A full lint trap can increase drying time, so it is important to clean it after each load.
Your dryer will overheat continuously and result in a fire hazard. If the vent is blocked, mold and dust will accumulate and have nowhere else to go – except inside your house. This can result in serious health problems, maybe even respiratory difficulties.
Dryer Vent vs.
According to Whirlpool, a lint trap is “located either on the exterior of the dryer or the inside door opening. It collects lint and debris as it passes through the dryer vent.” Allwords defines a dryer vent as “A vent connected to a clothes dryer that is used to screen lint and remove exhaust.”
Check the Air Vent and Duct
Clogged air vents are a common cause for poor airflow in clothes dryer systems. One way to see if your dryer's air vent is clogged is by turning on your dryer and going outside to feel the flow of air leaving the vent. If it's slow and not very warm, your vent may be due for a good cleaning.
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. If you do fewer loads of laundry, or if you're diligent in cleaning your lint trap after each load, you may be able to go longer without a cleaning.
Oftentimes the dirt gets stuck to the interior sides of the vent, so you need something that will catch it and pull it out. “For cleaning, I've found a Shop-Vac works much better than a regular vacuum, especially if you can access the outdoor vent,” Addie says.
DO NOT terminate dryer vents in crawl spaces or attics. Dryer vents that terminate in crawl spaces or attics allow for moisture to deposit and encourage mold growth and health hazards.
The household-name company Stanley Steemer provides dryer vent cleaning for $75 to $175.
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.