Protect Your Home With Our Dryer Vent Cleaning Services: We Serve Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro & More

Why Do I Need To Clean My Dryer Vents?

At Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service, we have the equipment and training required to expertly clean your dryer vent. A professional dryer vent cleaning will lower your risk of a dangerous dryer fire and lower your energy costs, but that’s  not all they contribute to a household.

These are the biggest reasons to regularly service your dryer vent:

• Reduce the risk of a fire. One of the most critical reasons to clean your dryer vents is to prevent the possibility of a house fire. When lint and particles build up in the dryer vent, the combination of heat generated by the dryer and the presence of the flammable lint can lead to a fire. Regular cleaning removes this fire hazard and keeps your home safer.
• Maintain the dryer’s efficiency. A clogged dryer vent limits the flow of hot, moist air from the dryer to the outside of your home. This makes your dryer less efficient, causing it to exert more energy and run longer to dry your clothes. When you clean the vent, you improve airflow, resulting in shorter drying times and more energy savings.
• Lower your energy expenses. A dryer that isn’t working to its full potential takes longer to dry clothes and consumes more energy which will directly result in higher monthly bills. By cleaning your dryer vents, you can improve the dryer’s efficiency and reduce your home’s energy consumption.
• Minimize the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Gas dryers produce carbon monoxide, which – if all is running well – moves through your vents and safely out of your home. If clogs are present, though, this dangerous (and invisible and odorless) gas will only go right back into your living space.
• Increase dryer lifespan. All home appliances suffer from wear and tear over time, but when your dryer has to work harder due to a clogged vent, it puts extra stress on the appliance’s components – and they’ll be bound to break down sooner. Regular maintenance, including vent cleaning, can extend the lifespan of your dryer.
• Prevent moisture and mold issues. A blocked vent can cause moisture to build up in the laundry area or surrounding ductwork. This moisture can then create an environment that’s perfect for mold growth, which is harmful to your family’s health. Cleaning the vent helps prevent moisture-related problems.
• Save yourself money. Neglecting dryer vent maintenance can lead to expensive repairs – and you may even find yourself in need of a new dryer. Normal (affordable) servicing to address repairs and remove clogs protects your budget in the long run.

Is Dryer Vent Cleaning Necessary for Electric Dryers? Or Is It Mainly for Gas Dryers?

During the drying process, gas dryers produce combustion byproducts, such as carbon monoxide and other gases. If the vent is clogged, these gases can get turned around, which can then lead to a potentially dangerous situation. Needless to say, dryer vent cleaning for these systems is a must.

But dryer vent servicing isn’t just limited to gas dryers. If you own an electric dryer, its venting setup needs just as much attention.

Although electric dryers don’t create combustion byproducts like gas dryers do, they can still pose a fire hazard if the vent is clogged. Remember – lint is highly flammable, and when it accumulates in the vent, it can be ignited by the heat generated during drying cycles. In addition, electric dryers can become inefficient when the vent gets clogged up with lint and residue.

To sum up, no matter what type of dryer you have, a clogged vent restricts the airflow, making it harder for the dryer to expel hot air. This results in longer drying times, more energy consumption, and potential household threats. So, don’t hesitate to book your dryer vent cleaning with us.

Are Clogged Dryer Vents Really That Dangerous?

We don’t want to cause you any panic, but yes – a clogged dryer vent is a serious risk that needs to be attended to promptly. Why? Here are a few of the biggest reasons:

• Lint is extremely flammable. Did you know that clogged dryer vents are a leading cause of residential fires? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), dryers cause an average of 13,820 fires each year at an average of $233 million in property damage.
• There’s an increased risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Gas dryers produce gases like carbon monoxide, which must be safely vented out of your home. A clogged vent can cause these harmful toxins to back up into your living space, posing a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which is life-threatening.
• It can lead to poor air quality. When you use your dryer, it produces lint and other particles. If these are not properly vented outside, they can be released into your home’s indoor air, which then affects its quality. Poor air quality is bad for anyone, but can especially aggravate respiratory issues like allergies or asthma.

How Do I Know if My Dryer Vent Needs To Be Cleaned?

It’s not always easy to tell when your dryer vent is clogged, but here are a few warning signs that your dryer vent may be due for a cleaning:

• It’s taking longer for your clothes to dry. It shouldn’t take too long to dry clothes in a properly functioning dryer that isn’t overloaded. If your clothes are taking longer to dry than they used to or if you need multiple cycles to get the job done, it could be a sign that your dryer vent may be clogged. Reduced airflow due to lint buildup forces your dryer to work harder, leading to increased drying times.
• Your laundry area is hotter than usual. Does your laundry room suddenly feel like a sauna when the dryer is running? That could be an indication of poor airflow. A clogged vent prevents proper ventilation, causing the hot air to linger in the room.
• Your dryer and/or clothes are hot to the touch. If the exterior of your dryer feels unusually hot, it may be working a bit too hard and is overheating. Similarly, it’s normal for your clothes to be warm after a cycle, but they shouldn’t be scalding hot.
• There’s a burning smell. Is there a burning odor overtaking the pleasant smell of detergent and fabric softener? It’s a cause for concern if you notice a burning-like smell while your dryer is in operation. This can be a sign that lint or debris in the vent is overheating, which is a fire hazard.
• You can see a buildup of lint. Check the area around your dryer’s lint trap and the outer vent cover. If you can see lint accumulating in these areas, it means the lint is not being completely expelled from the vent.
• There’s a musty smell or more condensation in your laundry. A poorly-vented dryer can cause moisture to build up in your laundry room. If you notice an increase in condensation on the walls or windows near the dryer, it could be a venting issue.
• Your dryer is making odd noises. Clanking, high-pitched squeaking, and other unusual noises coming from your dryer can sometimes point to a clogged vent. The debris in the vent can cause obstructions that result in weird sounds.
• You see an increase in energy bills. A clogged dryer vent forces your dryer to run longer and use more energy to dry your clothes. If there’s a sudden uptick in your energy bills, scheduling a vent cleaning could clear up the problem.
• Your dryer overheats and shuts off mid-cycle. If your dryer frequently overheats or shuts off during a cycle, it’s a safety concern. Overheating can result from a clogged vent, and the safety mechanisms in the dryer may cause it to shut off to prevent damage or limit the risk of a fire.

How Often Should Dryer Vents Be Cleaned?

We recommend dryer vent cleanings at least once a year by a certified dryer exhaust technician or chimney sweep. If you have a larger family and your dryer is regularly working overtime, you may need to schedule a dryer vent inspection and cleaning two to three times a year.

The length of your dryer vents can also dictate how often it needs cleaning. Short, straight vents tend to accumulate less lint and may require less frequent cleaning compared to longer, more complex venting setups.

The best thing to do is to speak with your chimney technician during your inspection. Once they’ve had a chance to see how your dryer is functioning, they can give you a game plan that works for your family. Our service is customizable and can be adjusted to suit your needs. You can always add or reduce the number of cleanings, if necessary.

Does Cleaning My Dryer’s Lint Trap Make a Difference?

Many people think that the lint trap takes care of all the lint, but that isn’t true. The trap cannot catch everything. Long dryer vents exacerbate this problem, providing more space for the lint to collect and making it more difficult to clean the system. Your dryer is not a sealed system, so you can never prevent lint from getting into the vent or the body of your dryer.

All that said, you should be clearing your lint trap after every single load. In addition, every few months, clean it with soapy water, then let it fully dry out.

…just don’t rely on your lint trap to get all the lint and prevent dryer vent clogs because it’s not designed to catch it all.

What Can I Do to Limit Lint Buildup in My Dryer Vents?

While it’s not possible to totally prevent lint buildup, there are a few steps you can take to limit it and extend the time between dryer vent cleanings.

• Clean the lint trap after every use. Try to get into the habit of cleaning the lint trap or screen in your dryer after each load of laundry. The less lint that is in the trap means there’s less of an opportunity for it to escape into other areas of the vent system.
• Use the right detergent and fabric softener. What you put into your dryer can make a world of difference. Your doctor will be quick to tell you that reaching for a bottle of water instead of a soda or sports drink is better for your overall health, and you should approach your household appliances with similar thinking. Some detergents and fabric softeners can leave residue on your clothing that increases lint buildup. Consider using low-lint or no-lint detergents and fabric softeners.
• Avoid overloading the dryer. We get it – it’s a pain to have to do multiple loads of laundry, especially when there are other household tasks that need your attention. We understand the urge to throw in a few extra shirts or pants. It can’t hurt that much, right? Actually, overloading the dryer can lead to increased lint production and poor airflow. And you may also find that your clothes are taking longer to dry, so overloading your dryer only ends up adding more to your workload.
• Check your outdoor vent cap. Make sure to regularly check the outdoor vent cap, as it can get clogged easily. Ensure that it opens properly and isn’t obstructed by lint, debris, or animal nests.

How Much Does It Cost To Clean a Dryer Vent?

We encourage you to reach out to our dedicated customer service team with any questions regarding the costs of our services. It’s hard for us to give an estimate without getting a good look at your dryer vent, as prices will vary based on your setup.

There are a number of factors that can impact the cost of cleaning your dryer vent that including:

• The location and accessibility of your dryer vent.
• The length of your vents and the complexity of your system.
• Whether you have a gas or electric dryer
• If you’ve kept up with regular maintenance and cleanings.

Do Dryer Vents Need To Be Professionally Cleaned? Can I Do It Myself?

At Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service, we like to err on the side of caution and advise you to leave home appliance maintenance to the professionals. Dryer vent systems are more delicate than they appear and a lot can go wrong if you don’t have the experience to navigate it correctly. Some vents have a lot of twists and turns, so it’s easy to miss a spot. Other times, homeowners have been known to push the lint in deeper, creating a tighter, more compact (and more flammable) clump of buildup.

In addition, if you don’t have the right cleaning tools – or you do but don’t know how to use them correctly – you run the risk of damaging the system and costing yourself a lot of money in repair work.

Give yourself a break and let us take this chore off your hands. Our technicians are experts and you can trust us to thoroughly clean your system. Call or schedule online with us today.

How Long Does It Take a Professional To Clean Dryer Vents?

Just like the cost of chimney cleaning, the time it takes for a professional to clean a dryer vent can vary depending on a few things. The length of the vent duct, the level of lint buildup, and any additional services or repairs needed can influence how long the appointment is.

With that said, a professional dryer vent cleaning typically takes about 1 to 2 hours, on average.

Give Yourself Peace of Mind & Schedule Your Dryer Vent Cleaning Today

Whether your dryer isn’t performing right or you just want to schedule your regular cleaning along with your annual chimney sweep, we can help. Call Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service for your dryer vent needs. Our chimney technicians are standing by and ready to get started.

Schedule an appointment online or call us at 919-747-1859, and let us do what we do best.

What to do if you need wildlife removed from your chimney? Simple, just call our chimney and vent service specialists to take care of it.