How Much Does It Cost To Clean Dryer Vents?

Cost to Clean a Dryer Vent

Dryer vent cleaning costs between $101 and $176, or $137 on average. Check out the details below or compare quotes from local vent-cleaning specialists for the best deal.

As you use your clothes dryer on a regular basis, the vents collect a lot of lint, hair and other debris. This debris quickly accumulates as the clothing spins around in the machine. You should empty it after each load, but unfortunately, not everyone is so diligent. If you forget to remove the lint, it can eventually clog the dryer vents and create a fire hazard. You can prevent this with a thorough annual cleaning.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Price by Service

Average Dryer Vent Wizard Cost

Dryer Vent Wizard will check that your system is up to code prior to cleaning for a fee of $40. Using their findings from the inspection, they will write up an estimate. This estimate shows all the services required to keep your dryer performing efficiently and with minimal fire risk.

Rooftop Dryer Vent Cleaning Price

Most rooftop dryer vent cleaning companies charge $130 as their average price to clean rooftop vents as they do for ones on the side of the house. You can trust that they will thoroughly inspect these vents as well, despite their relatively inconvenient location.

These vents are more likely to develop clogs from debris accumulation and damage from harsh weather conditions. This means that the chance of having additional charges increases when having rooftop dryer vents cleaned. You can switch the location of this vent by deciding to pay for new vents and ductwork.

Dangers of a Clogged Dryer Duct

When debris begins to clog the dryer vent, the exhaust gases produced by the dryer gets backed up and creates a potential fire hazard. This can turn an otherwise helpful appliance into a disaster waiting to happen. Almost 5,000 investigations per year lead back to dryer vents full of lint and other flammable debris. This can lead to:

• Worst case scenario: Cleanup costs for fire and smoke damage can run between $3,200 and $28,000.

• Slightly less severe issues: Short-circuiting of the electrical system and other major electrical problem costs.

• Minor issues: Overheating in the home and expensive energy bills are common because the dryer works harder with each spin cycle to dry your clothes. You might be fooled into paying the cost of a new appliance because of its poor performance.

What Causes a Clogged Dryer Vent?

By taking all the dangers of a clogged dryer vent into consideration, it is plain to see it can cost you far more than the average vent cleaning price of $130 a visit. So, it is smart to understand that the biggest cause of a clogged dryer vent is a lack of maintenance — and prevent it.

Being proactive is easy:

• Always empty the smaller lint trap before starting every load. This will pull most of the debris out of the equation before it can drop into the vent pipes.

• Check the length of the exhaust vent at least once a year to verify debris is not building up. If it is, schedule your dryer vent cleaning service right away to prevent a partial or full blockage of the vent pipes.

Other factors that influence dryer vent functionality include:

Placement of Your Dryer

When the clothes dryer is far from an exterior wall, it requires a longer vent pipe to release hot air. The longer vent pipes can prove harder to clean, especially when they wind around corners and other structures.

Potential for Restrictions

Long, winding dryer vents can easily develop restrictions that block airflow. Debris tends to collect at those points, resulting in a blockage.

Outside Interference

Birds, squirrels and other wildlife often attempt to create nests in dryer vents, especially ones that exit at the roof. At that point, debris from your clothes can quickly create a blockage as it catches on the nesting materials.

If you can actively prevent these problems, you can effectively protect the function of your dryer vents and prevent paying the price of vent cleaning.

Increasing the Energy Efficiency of Your Dryer

Beyond preventing fires, paying for dryer vent cleaning can help boost the efficiency of your machine. When a dryer's vent is partially blocked or even fully clogged, it has to work harder than ever to remove moisture from clothes, create heat and dry the items. This can result in damage to the dryer and having to cover the costs of appliance repair services. Furthermore, as you compensate by running the dryer for an extended period, your utility bills will start to climb, costing you extra every month.

In addition, as the dryer runs for extended periods of time, the extra heat it generates may result in higher temperatures throughout the house. This is especially true if the exhaust vent pipe runs through more than one room before exiting the building. A higher indoor temperature means that during the summer, the air conditioning system often must work harder as well. So, when you clean your vents each year, you improve the efficiency of your dryer and the entire house.

How Do You Know If Your Dryer Vent is Clogged?

Some of the signs that a dryer vent needs to be cleaned include:

• Clothing comes out of the dryer much hotter than normal

• The drying cycle takes longer

• Clothes are damp after a normal cycle

• The laundry room feels much hotter than usual

• The lint filter fills up quickly

• Utility bills rise without a clear cause

• Clothes from the dryer smell musty

• Dryer sheets smell odd or quickly break down

If you notice any of these issues, elect to pay the costs of cleaning dryer vents before they become a fire hazard. By doing so, you can also minimize your utility bills and appliance repair costs, keeping more money in your pocket.

When to Call in a Professional to Clean a Dryer Vent

To reduce their dryer vent cleaning costs, many homeowners opt to clean the vents themselves for about $30 to $70 for the dryer vent cleaning kit. Others decide to hire a professional right off.

Either way, as soon as you notice the signs of a dryer vent clog developing, it is time to determine if you can cover the required dryer vent cleaning expenses. In the long run, however, you really cannot afford to skip this important service.

There are a range of experts who can provide this service, including plumbers, HVAC technicians, and companies that focus specifically on vent cleaning. Since some dryer ducts can be easily damaged, it is important that the service provider has the equipment and experience to do the job well.

How to DIY a dryer cleaning service yourself:

1. Unplug the dryer from the wall outlet and remove the vent exhaust pipe from the dryer.

2. Vacuum or pull out the debris from both the dryer and pipe.

3. Inspect the interior of the vent pipe for clogs and damage.

4. Check the exterior of your home for any blockages where the exhaust vents outside.

You must know what to look for and how to tell the vent pipe is cleared of all debris to make this DIY project a success. Even when all goes well, this can be a time-consuming process, and it is not always effective. A better idea may be to call a professional.

Rather than just calling a handyman, it is worth looking for a plumber or dryer exhaust technician certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. These professionals are familiar with the biggest fire risks and can help you prevent clogs, minimizing your expenses for dryer vent cleaning.

How to Keep Your Dryer Vent Clean

Use these tips to slow down the accumulation of lint and other debris in your dryer vents.

• Switch from dryer sheets to a liquid fabric softener.

• Allow the dryer to cool for 15 to 20 minutes between loads.

• Move the dryer closer to an external wall.

• Replace the flexible vent pipe with a solid metal pipe.

Even with these preventative tactics, lint and other debris slowly accumulate inside the vent pipes. Remember to clean your dryer vents at least once every 12 months to remove the debris, prevent clogs and avoid dryer vent cleaning expenses.

FAQs

How long does it take to clean a dryer vent?

For basic cleaning services, professionals take between 45 to 60 minutes to clear out the wall or rooftop dryer vents. If you attempt this important maintenance task yourself, it could take a lot longer.

How often do you need to clean your dryer vents?

Clean your dryer vent at least once per year to keep your dryer operating efficiently and prevent fires. If your dryer is located far from an exterior wall, you may need to increase cleanings to twice a year. Doing laundry daily for a large household may require an increase to quarterly cleanings to keep the vents clear of debris.

Who do you call to clean out your dryer vent?

You can call a plumber to have your dryer vents cleaned out. Unless you are well-versed in the techniques needed to efficiently clean dryer vents and have the tools, you should hire dryer vent cleaners near you to get the job done right. In addition to making sure to remove all debris from the vent pipes, they will check for other problems during a thorough inspection.

What happens if the dryer vent is not connected?

If your dryer vent is disconnected, it will pipe hot, moist air into your living area, increasing the growth of mold and mildew. This could result in having to pay for laundry room renovations and repairs. It will also release lint and debris directly into the area, reducing the air quality in your home. In many areas, you are legally required to vent the dryer outside to abide by local building codes.