Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning Service

Did you know that thousands of structural fires occur every year due to clothes dryers? It is estimated that those fires incur more than one hundred million dollars of property loss each year—along with deaths and injuries. The most common cause of dryer fires is a clogged dryer vent. This problem can be totally prevented with proper and regular cleaning. Schedule your dryer vent cleaning service online with Mr. Appliance today, or call us!

What is Dryer Vent Cleaning?

Every homeowner should be aware of the last time their dryer vent was cleaned out. When you hire a professional to take care of dryer vent cleaning, you can rest assured that they will remove the lint and other debris that could become jammed in the venting system and lead to fires.

At Mr. Appliance^®, we utilize special tools and equipment to force air inside your dryer vent, carefully cleaning out your venting system without leaving any mess behind. When you call Mr. Appliance, a technician in your location will check out your dryer and provide you with a safe dryer vent cleaning service plan.

How Often to Clean a Dryer Vent?

Depending on how often you use your dryer, you’ll want to have your dryer vent cleaned and carefully inspected once every three to twelve months. Larger households that do at least one or two loads of laundry each day should schedule periodic inspections to determine how long they should go between dryer vent cleanings. If you do laundry less frequently, scheduling dryer vent cleaning once a year is most likely sufficient.

Remember: Even when you clean your lint trap regularly, not all the lint from your laundry is removed. In fact, only about 25 percent of the lint from your clothes is collected by the lint trap you slide out of the front of your dryer. That means the rest is building up in the dryer vent system, restricting airflow and causing your dryer to work harder. As a result, you may start paying more on monthly energy bills and be at risk of a fire. Know how often to clean your dryer vent, and stick to a maintenance plan!

Dryer vent cleaning can be very helpful. Here are the main benefits:

• Shorter drying times for clothes, including heavier materials
• Elimination of damp or extremely hot clothes at the end of a drying cycle
• Increased safety, as outdoor flap properly opens during operation
• Savings back in your pocket, thanks to lower energy usage
• Extended appliance lifespan by preventing break-downs or other damage
• Prevention of fires, carbon monoxide backup, and other damage
• Compliance with insurance inspection requirements

Advantages of Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning

While you can easily clean and maintain some areas of your dryer vent yourself, such as the lint catcher and tailpipe, professional attention to other areas of your dryer's venting system (e.g., pipes running through walls or ceilings) is strongly recommended. The innovative technology at Mr. Appliance allows our professionals to clean your entire dryer vent in as little as 30 minutes. In fact, we can clean your dryer vent from the outside of your home in most cases. Dryer vent cleaning is not such a hassle after all!

Call us today to learn more or schedule service!

Services may vary by location. For more information, including the most accurate list of services and guidance, contact your locally owned and operated Mr.Appliance^® for details and a customized on-site assessment.

FAQs

As a leading North American home appliance repair franchise, Mr. Appliance^® is committed to responsiveness and operating with integrity. Our courteous service professionals are experts in residential dryer vent cleaning, repair, and maintenance. The following are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions in relation to those services.

Why is dryer vent cleaning important?

Keeping dryer vents clean is a maintenance task that helps prevent house fires, which could result in injuries, property losses, and higher homeowner’s insurance premiums. Regularly performing residential dryer vent cleaning may reduce your utility expenses by helping to shorten drying times and also extend the serviceable lifespan of your dryer.

How often should my dryer vent be cleaned?

Most manufacturers and dryer vent cleaning service professionals agree that dryer vents should be cleaned at least once every 12 months. For larger households that average one or more laundry loads per day, cleaning the dryer vent is recommended every three to six months. Having the cleaning performed by a residential service professional will better ensure that all the accumulated lint and debris within the vent is removed.

How do I tell if my dryer vent needs cleaning?

Signs of a clogged dryer vent include longer drying times that worsen as lint and debris build up, restricting airflow. This restriction can make clothes and the room noticeably hotter while the dryer runs. Some dryers have safety sensors that shut off the appliance if heat becomes excessive. Typically, the vent leads to an exterior exhaust port with a flap; when clogged, air pressure drops, preventing the flap from opening.

You might also notice a "burning" smell.

Can a clogged dryer vent cause a fire?

Yes. Properly cleaning the dryer duct vent is critical to prevent fires. How prevalent are dryer-related fires? According to data from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), firefighters in the Halifax Regional Municipality respond to roughly ten dryer fires annually. Each year, dryer fires occur approximately 18 times in Vancouver and 39 times in Toronto.

The combination of hot temperatures and lint or similar, flammable debris is a potential recipe for a fire. Fortunately, by adhering to a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule, fires resulting from clogged dryer vents are preventable concerns.

Can both the dryer vent and the inside of the dryer be cleaned?

Yes. As a safety precaution, unplug electric dryers or close the supply valve for gas dryers before cleaning. To clean the dryer vent, you should inspect the duct that connects to the machine and the exhaust vent on the exterior of the home. You may need to remove stubborn clogs by hand; otherwise, using a vacuum is recommended.

You should also clean the inside of the dryer, as a layer of residue from fabric softener or dryer sheets may accumulate around the drum. Whirlpool recommends cleaning the interior of an electric dryer with dish soap and warm water and using a nonflammable liquid cleaner for gas dryers.

Lastly, always remember to clean the removable lint filter or trap before each load of laundry.

What are the benefits of professional dryer vent cleaning compared to doing it myself?

Choosing a professional dryer vent cleaning service is the best choice for preventing build-ups in your dryer ducts, external vent, and hood or flap and ensuring these components are maintained.

An experienced dryer vent cleaner who regularly performs residential appliance services maintains the best tools and equipment. The expert technicians with Mr. Appliance use properly selected equipment to force air into the ventilation system and remove lint, hair, and other materials. On top of that, we ensure your satisfaction as a part of our Neighbourly Done Right Promise^™.

Can dryer vent cleaning help lower my energy bills?

Yes. When lint accumulates in your dryer’s ventilation system, the appliance is no longer operating at maximum efficiency. Often, the machine will need more time to dry the clothing, which requires more energy. When a clog exists, the dryer must work harder and generate more heat, which exposes the appliance to more wear and tear and may cause you to pay for costly repairs.

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) promotes newer, efficient clothes dryers that can conserve 20% or more energy. The agency explains that failing to clean the ventilation system will negate the savings and encourages cleaning the lint filter before each load of laundry, regularly cleaning dryer vents, and scrubbing the filter periodically to remove any film from dryer sheets.

What should I do if my dryer still isn’t drying clothes properly after cleaning?

If your machine is still not efficiently drying your clothing after cleaning the ventilation system, the appliance may need professional repair services. Mr. Appliance provides comprehensive residential repair and maintenance services for the major brands of electric and gas dryers and includes a guarantee on replacement parts.

Homeowners looking for more information about us or those seeking to schedule service should contact our team today!