Of all the maintenance homeowners skip, the dryer vent is one of the most important — and most overlooked. Clogged dryer vents are one of the leading causes of residential fires in North America, and the fix is simple, quick, and affordable.
Why lint is dangerous
Every load of laundry sheds lint. Most is caught by the lint trap, but a surprising amount travels into the vent pipe and collects there. Lint is highly flammable, and when it blocks the exhaust, heat and moisture build up — creating both a fire hazard and a dryer that has to work far harder than it should.
Warning signs your dryer vent is clogged
- Clothes take two cycles to dry, or come out hot and damp.
- The top of the dryer or the laundry room feels unusually hot.
- There's a burning or musty smell while the dryer runs.
- The lint trap fills faster than it used to, or you see lint around the vent opening outside.
- It's been more than a year since your last dryer vent cleaning.
How often to clean a dryer vent
For most homes, once every 1 to 2 years is right. Large households that run the dryer daily — or homes with long, winding vent runs — should aim for once a year. Learn more about our dryer vent cleaning service.
Bundle it with your duct cleaning
The easiest time to handle the dryer vent is while a technician is already at your home for a duct cleaning. You can add it to your booking in seconds — see our transparent pricing for the details.