What is the average cost of dryer vent cleaning?

It is one of the cheaper jobs in home maintenance and one of the most worthwhile, but the quotes still vary. The average cost of dryer vent cleaning is driven almost entirely by how hard the duct is to reach, not by how dirty it is.

How much does it cost to clean a dryer vent?

Professional dryer vent cleaning costs between $80 and $450 nationally. A properly functioning dryer vent prevents lint buildup and speeds up clothes drying. In many residential properties, the clothing dryer is a common appliance and is used on a regular basis.

The vent of the dryer gathers broken down linen, hair, and debris, that accumulate when the clothing tumbles around the machine. That’s why the dryer lint trap should be emptied after each load. Unfortunately, not everyone is in the habit of doing this, causing the lint to build up inside and clog the dryer vent.

The cost may increase if you require additional services, such as rodent removal, or additional supplies are needed. Depending on the design type, of dryer vent you have and its current condition, can also affect the amount of exhaust and frequency of clogs.

Signs that you need to clean your dryer vent

To prevent accidents and to ensure the safety of your family, it is imperative to have the dryer vent cleaned if any of the following signs shows:

• The laundry room starts feeling hotter than normal.
• Clothes from the dryer have a musty smell.
• Dried clothing come out of the dryer much hotter than normal.
• Clothes come out damp after a normal drying cycle.
• The lint filter fills up quickly or appears spotty instead of a full sheet of lint.
• An increase in energy consumption.

Rather than contacting a handyman or someone who doesn’t specialize in dryer vent cleaning, it is worth getting in touch with a licensed contractor. Finding a licensed contractor that specializes in sheet metal duct work or HVAC ductwork is a much safer choice. Contractors are required to have proper insurance, training, and experience to become and maintain their license. All of the regulations and costs associated with being an active licensed contractor is the reason the prices are normally higher than a handyman who doesn’t have the same amount of overhead costs.

FAQ

• How do you clean out a dryer vent?

A truck mounted compressor and a pneumatic dryer vent cleaning tool that blows directional air to peel the lint off the inside walls of the dryer vent. The most well-known method of cleaning out a dryer vent is to use a brush made for this purpose attached to a drill. The rotating brush is inserted into the vent where it is rotated by the drill which removes built up lint causing the blockage. We do NOT recommend using a leaf blower to try and force the blockage out of either end of the dryer vent, this may result in a serious blockage.

• How often do you need to clean dryer vent?

The US Fire Administration recommends that dryer vents be cleaned at least once a year, or more frequently as needed.

• How do I clean my dryer lint trap?

In many dryers the lint trap can be pulled from the dryer, remove the lint from the surface by pulling it free by hand.

• How do you clean your dryer?

You can purchase a brush to brush clean the area where the lint trap is inserted to avoid buildup in the area. We recommend calling a professional to clean the inside of the dryer.

• Why does it take so long for my clothes to dry?

When the dryer vent is clogged or not exhausting properly, the moist hot air cannot escape, causing the clothes to stay damp requiring more heat to try and dry the moisture from the air.

• How do I get the musty smell out of my dryer?

Bad odors can be eliminated by properly cleaning the dryer vent and fogging the duct work to kill any microbial growth that may exist.

Reasons to clean your dryer vent

Unfortunately, a lot of homeowners and business owners do not realize the importance of keeping their dryer vents clean. Here are a few reasons why home and business dryer vents should be cleaned annually:

• The appliance may overheat damaging the dryer machine and possibly clothes in the process. This can also lead to increased energy bills.
• If un-maintained, the dryer vent may become a fire hazard. When lint is trapped in the dryer vent, it prevents the system from exhausting properly, causing it to overheat. There are 16,800 dryer vent fires every year according to the US Fire Administration, that can be avoided by cleaning the dryer vent.
• A clogged dryer vent can cause the appliance to run longer, increasing the wear and tear to your dryer, leading to more frequent repairs.
• Over time the accumulation of lint and other debris increases energy consumption. A clogged venting system may cost the owner $19 and $25 in electrical supplies every month.
• A clogged gas dryer can release harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, affecting your respiratory health, cleaning the dryer vent results in better indoor air quality.

A fully clogged vent can be the result of excess buildup of lint, dirt, and debris, but can also be caused due to obstruction such as dryer sheets or rodent nests. Wet lint or water leaking from the dryer vent adapter is a sign of a complete blockage of the dryer vent. Disconnected and/or broken ducts, or a clogged hose can cause condensation to build on walls and items inside the laundry room, we recommend that the adapter is replaced. If you notice any of the above mentioned we highly recommend contacting a dryer vent cleaning company.

What moves the average cost of dryer vent cleaning

A ground-floor laundry with a short run straight through an exterior wall is the simplest and cheapest version of this job. Costs rise with duct length, with each additional elbow, with a second-floor laundry, and most of all with a roof termination — that is ladder work, and the cap often needs removing to clear the packed lint underneath it.

The other variable is what we find. If the transition hose is foil, if a joint has separated inside the wall, or if the exterior flap no longer opens, cleaning alone will not fix the airflow. Those are dryer vent repair jobs and we price them separately so you can see exactly what you are agreeing to.

For rental portfolios, condo buildings and laundromats, commercial dryer vent cleaning is priced per unit and scheduled together. Whichever applies, the figures are on the prices page and the estimate is free.