If you use a dryer in your home, you may have asked yourself what is dryer vent cleaning? You’re likely to have seen advertisements for this type of service, but not appreciate what it involves and why it is important.
The Importance of Dryer Vent Cleaning
In fact, clothes dryers are a leading cause of house fires each year, and invariably, the underlying cause is clogged vents. If you use a dryer regularly, vent cleaning should be considered a vital element of your home maintenance. The dryer vent duct runs from the back of your dryer and will typically vent via the nearest exterior wall to carry moisture from the drying clothes out of the living space. This is crucial to improve indoor air quality as it can reduce the risk of mould. However, some dryers vent within the home, such as into a crawl space or attic, but this can create safety issues. With an indoor dryer vent, it is recommended to replace it as soon as possible.
There is also a risk of fire if the dryer vent is damaged or weakened due to a proper installation. This may mean that warm air from the dryer is not properly exhausted outdoors. If the vent installation involved excess bends and turns, it would allow condensation to develop inside the vent, which attracts lint. This can accumulate, causing a risk of fire or other problems.
Another possible issue from clogged dryer vents is the intrusion by small animals. Birds, mice and other animals can find the moist, warm conditions in the vent appealing to create a nest.
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What’s Involved in Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning?
Professional dryer vent cleaning aims to eliminate any build up of lint and other debris inside the vent. This decreases the risk of fire, increasing your home safety. Professional cleaning services can also improve the efficiency of the dryer, which may prolong its lifespan.
The cleaning process involves clearing the entire length of ductwork and hose of any lint or debris. The cleaning team will use specialist equipment to clean all of the nooks and crannies of the ductwork. This is more than simply using a vacuum, as the team is likely to have a variety of equipment to ensure that the ducts and vents are not only free of dirt but also clean and sanitized.
DIY Dryer Vent Cleaning
While you can find DIY cleaning kits, it is better to use a professional service. These DIY kits typically will not include the specialized cleaning tools professionals use to snake the whole duct. At its very best, with a DIY kit, you will only be able to remove any blockages from the first couple of feet in the dryer vent.
Another important consideration is that most dryer hoses are made of metal, specifically thin aluminum. It may be round or square shaped, which means that using a standard brush will not sufficiently clean the duct, particularly if you have a rigid square shaped vent. If you have aluminum foil ductwork, using a standard brush increases the risk of the aluminum being damaged. This is potentially dangerous as the dryer vent gasses will not escape the home.
If you do decide that you would like to try DIY dryer vent cleaning, be sure that you choose a kit that is suitable for your duct material. The brushes in DIY kits tend to have different abrasion levels and if used incorrectly have the potential to damage the duct. This will significantly increase your costs, as you may need to pay a costly repair bill or for the installation of a replacement duct.
Professional Cleaning Tools
If you’re still wondering why do dryer vent cleaning, you need to be aware of the tools that professionals have access to. Along with their skills and expertise a professional cleaner will come to your home with a variety of tools to complete the job. This includes specific tools for different applications and hose sizes.
The cleaner will use these tools and the proper techniques to thoroughly clean the vents without causing damage to the ductwork. These tools facilitate effective cleaning and they are designed to prevent vent damage. Since typically, the vents are installed behind the walls inside your home, it is crucial that they are not damaged during cleaning, as installing a replacement can be costly.
The Cleaning Process
To ensure an effective cleaning, the vents need to be cleaned from both ends, so any obstructions to remove any obstructions along the length of the ductwork. The cleaning process includes:
- Snaking: To start, the cleaning professional will work from the exterior vent using a special cleaning tool to snake the line outside the home right down to the dryer. This tool will pull all the lint created by the dryer outside the home, suctioning it backwards. The cleaning technician will pull the line through multiple times until it is removed and completely cleaned.
- Cleaning the Back of the Dryer: Once the outside work is complete, the technician will focus on the back of the dryer. This involves pulling the dryer from the wall and using an air tool to clean the lint trap. This will also blow out any debris from the back of the dryer. This is done with a vacuum cleaner-like tool.
- Flushing the Line: Next, the technician will use an extension tool to clean the dryer vent from the back of the dryer to the exterior vent, flushing the vent with air to clear any remaining debris.
- Reconnect and Test: Finally, the technician will reconnect the dryer, move it back into place and clean everything. The technician will then test the dryer to ensure the appliance is running safely and efficiently.
How Long Does It Take?
If completed by an experienced professional technician, the entire cleaning process should take approximately one hour. This will ensure that the process is thoroughly completed efficiently. Once a professional dryer vent cleaning is complete, you can rest assured that your dryer will operate more efficiently and safely.