Dryer Vent Cleaning in Independence, MO
Dryer vent cleaning removes lint from the duct that runs from the back of your dryer to the outside of the house. Jake And Son Chimney Sweep cleans dryer vents in Independence, MO and 20 nearby towns.
Signs your dryer vent is clogged
A dryer vent is clogged when clothes take more than one cycle to dry, the dryer or laundry room runs hot, or the flap on the outside vent barely opens.
- Clothes take more than one cycle to dry
- The dryer or the laundry room is unusually hot
- A burning or musty smell when the dryer runs
- The flap on the outside vent hood barely opens while the dryer is on
- Lint collecting around the dryer door or behind the machine
- More than a year since the vent was last cleaned
Why the lint screen is not enough
The screen inside the dryer catches most lint, not all of it. The rest is blown into the vent duct, where it sticks to the walls, especially at elbows and along ribbed flexible duct. As the duct narrows, the dryer runs hotter and longer, and lint is highly flammable.
Long vent runs make it worse. A dryer on an inside wall, in a basement, or venting up through the roof has more duct and more bends for lint to settle in than a dryer on an outside wall.
What dryer vent cleaning includes
Dryer vent cleaning covers the whole vent, from the hose behind the dryer to the hood or cap outside, in five steps.
- Check the airflow at the outside hood before starting.
- Disconnect the dryer and clean the transition hose behind it, or recommend replacing it if it is crushed or made of plastic or foil.
- Clean the full length of the duct from the dryer to the outside termination with rotating brushes and suction.
- Clear the outside hood or roof cap, including any screen or flap, and check for nests.
- Reconnect the dryer and check the airflow again so you can see the difference.
Dryer taking two cycles to dry a load?
Call (816) 239-8989What you can do between cleanings
Between professional cleanings, clean the lint screen before every load and check now and then that the outside flap opens when the dryer is running.
- Clean the lint screen before every load.
- Do not run the dryer when you are asleep or out of the house.
- Look at the outside hood now and then while the dryer is running to see that the flap opens.
- Keep the area behind and under the dryer free of lint and stored items.
What affects the price of dryer vent cleaning
Dryer vent cleaning starts at $109 (see pricing). From there the price depends on the length of the run, where it ends, whether it is blocked, and whether any duct needs replacing.
- Length of the run and the number of bends
- Where it ends. A roof termination takes more time than a wall hood at ground level.
- Blockages such as a bird nest
- Repairs, such as replacing a crushed transition hose
Call (816) 239-8989 and tell us where your dryer sits and where it vents, and we will give you a price. Dryer vent cleaning is often booked on the same visit as a chimney sweep or air duct cleaning.
Sources
- U.S. Fire Administration, National Fire Data Center, Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings (2008–2010), as reported by Fire Engineering.
Common questions
How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
Once a year for most households. Clean it more often if the vent run is long, if it exits through the roof, or if you do several loads a day. The U.S. Fire Administration found failure to clean was the leading factor in home dryer fires.
What are the signs of a clogged dryer vent?
Clothes that need more than one cycle to dry, a dryer that is hot to the touch, a burning smell, and an outside vent flap that barely moves while the dryer is running. Lint collecting around the dryer door or on the wall behind it is another sign.
Do you clean the whole vent or just the part behind the dryer?
The whole run, from the dryer connection to the outside hood or roof cap. Cleaning only the first few feet leaves the lint at the bends and the far end, where blockages actually form. We check the airflow at the outside hood before and after so you can see the difference.
Is a foil or plastic dryer hose safe?
Thin plastic and foil accordion hoses sag, crush easily and trap lint, and plastic can burn. Dryer manufacturers generally specify rigid or semi-rigid metal duct. We can replace a damaged hose during the cleaning. A short length of semi-rigid metal duct, kept as straight as possible, is the better connection.
Can a clogged dryer vent cause carbon monoxide problems?
With a gas dryer, yes. The vent carries the burner's exhaust outside along with the moist air, so a blocked vent can push carbon monoxide back into the house. Electric dryers do not produce carbon monoxide, but a blocked vent on one is still a fire risk.