The biggest question I’m asked when in the field is always “How often should I have my dryer vent cleaned?” Although this is a simple question there are several factors to consider. In the following post I will do my best to explain the rationale behind the cleaning maintenance recommendations.
When asked for a recommended cleaning frequency most companies will say that the service should be done annually. Annual cleanings, like most home maintenance, are a great way to ensure that you do not have a venting problem. Annual cleanings are preventative in nature and rarely extract the amount of lint found during the first cleaning. By doing an annual cleaning you have the peace of mind knowing that your dryer vent will not be problematic. Furthermore, there is a governing body for dryer vent cleaning certifications (the Chimney Sweep Institute of America…yes, that’s a real thing). This organization recommends annual cleanings as well.
As is the theme with most of my posts, AIRFLOW is the biggest determining factor when talking about dryer vents. A clear, short, and fairly straight dryer vent will produce great airflow. This in turn allows for the heat and moisture produced in the drying process to exhaust your home easily. For those of you with a short and straight dryer vent there is less likelihood that your vent will become severely clogged over the course of a year. For vents that fall into this category I welcome the annual service calls, but usually recommend these vents be serviced every 2-3 years instead.
Those of you with long vents, or vents with multiple 90-degree bends, I recommend annual cleanings. This is because lint tends to build up at the bends in the vent as well as at connection points between the pipes. It doesn’t take much for lint collection to cause your 4” vent’s opening to become restricted. Once this occurs, you’ll have an airflow problem.
Another factor to consider with annual cleanings is animals. If you have a short vent, but it is in a difficult to reach location, you may not be able to monitor the airflow and ensure that an animal has not made a nest inside. An annual cleaning means we will access the vent’s exhaust and ensure that nothing has gotten in over the course of the year.
Frequency of dryer use should also be considered when determining a cleaning schedule. If you’re doing multiple loads, or have pets, consider an annual cleaning to prevent the build up of hair, fur, and lint within your vent.
When you choose to use our company, we pride ourselves in providing honest customer feedback. If we believe you need an annual cleaning, we will tell you and then proceed to explain why. If we feel that you don’t, we will tell you that too.