Proper Dryer Vent Cleaning

Dryer vent cleaning is a very real commercial trade and the contracted work is sometimes described as routine and problem cleaning.

Proper dryer vent cleaning. Once the vent is exposed use a vent brush first clean the exterior surfaces. During a home inspection the inspector should try to determine the type of clothes dryer vent material s. To clean the dryer vent first unplug your dryer from the wall socket. Some amount of lint inevitably passes into the ductwork leading to the outdoor vent and proper maintenance requires that you clean this ductwork regularly.

The lint is caught in a. Turn off and unplug dryer. What causes a clogged dryer vent. In order to properly clean your dryer s ventilation system you have to first know where it is and where it ends.

By taking all the dangers of a clogged dryer vent into consideration it is plain to see it can cost you far more than the average vent cleaning price of 130 a visit so it is smart to understand that the biggest cause of a clogged dryer vent is a lack of maintenance and prevent it. If you have a gas dryer turn the supply valve off while cleaning. Effects of a blocked vent. All clothes dryers have different types of filters to catch the lint generated as clothing tumbles inside the dryer but the filters cannot catch all the lint.

Some hvac professionals and chimney sweeps also offer dryer vent cleaning as a service. Also locate the dryer exhaust vent at your home s exterior. One is that moisture can t escape and so the dryer takes longer to dry your clothes. A home owner can take apart and clean the dryer vent s interior himself.

Then get on the roof and peel back any shingles that may be covering the vent as well as the guard. If you have a gas dryer it will also be necessary to turn off the gas before you go any further. To make the dyer more efficient you can buy an inexpensive heat diverter and install it in the exhaust duct of electric dryers only not gas dryers you ll save about 50 worth of heat per load in the winter. Routine cleaning is done from the outside by sending an air propelled jet snake through the vent.

Before dryer vent cleaning locate the vent which should be easily found at the back of the dryer. Venting the dryer outside in cold weather wastes a lot of heat. In back of most dryer units is a short 4 inch diameter exhaust. It blows air 360 degrees backwards blasting the lint loose and blowing it outside.

The first step on how to clean a dryer vent is to unplug the dryer. Before you clean a dryer vent on the roof vacuum out the vent behind the dryer since it s easier to clean out the length of the vent from the ground floor. If you don t know how to clean a dryer vent or lint screen and trap here s how in eight quick steps.