Dryer vent cleaning in Cottage Grove, MN
Dryer vent cleaning clears the lint that builds up in the duct between your dryer and the outside hood. A clear vent dries clothes faster and runs cooler. A clogged one wastes energy and is a real fire risk.
residential clothes dryer fires were reported each year in the U.S. in the period the USFA studied.
Source: USFA, Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings (2008-2010)of those fires had "failure to clean" as a contributing factor. It was the leading factor.
Source: USFAis the peak month for dryer fires, with fall and winter higher overall.
Source: USFASigns your dryer vent is clogged
- Towels and jeans need a second cycle
- The top of the dryer or the clothes feel hotter than usual
- A hot, musty or scorched smell in the laundry room
- The outside flap barely opens when the dryer runs
- Lint collecting around the outside hood
What the cleaning includes
- We pull the dryer out and disconnect the transition duct behind it.
- We run rotary brushes through the full duct while a vacuum pulls the lint out.
- We clear the outside hood and make sure the flap opens and closes freely.
- We check the transition duct. Plastic or foil accordion duct should be replaced with a metal one.
- We reconnect the dryer and run it to check airflow at the hood.
Dryer vents in Cottage Grove homes
In many of the city's older ramblers, the dryer sits in the basement and the vent runs a short way to a hood in the rim joist. Those are quick to clean, but crushed duct behind the dryer is common after years of being pushed against the wall. Newer homes with second-floor laundry often have long runs with several elbows that vent to the roof or a high side wall. Long runs collect more lint and are hard to reach from the ground, so they need cleaning more often.
Since dryer fires peak in January, fall is a good time to clean the vent. If you already have us sweeping the chimney, we can do both on one visit.
If the dryer smells like burning
Stop the dryer, unplug it if it is safe to reach, and do not run another load until the vent has been checked. If you see smoke or flames, leave the house and call 911.
Dryer vent questions
How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
Most homes should have the vent cleaned about once a year. Large households, homes with pets, and long vent runs to the roof may need it more often. Cleaning the lint screen after every load helps, but it does not clean the duct.
Can I clean my dryer vent myself?
You can clean a short, straight run with a brush kit from a hardware store. Long runs, roof vents and runs with several elbows are harder, because brushes can get stuck and lint gets packed further in.
Why does my dryer take two cycles?
The most common cause is restricted airflow from a clogged or crushed vent. Moist air cannot leave the drum, so the clothes stay damp. If the vent is clear and the problem continues, the dryer itself may need service.
Book dryer vent cleaning in Cottage Grove
Add it to a chimney visit, or book it on its own.
Related: chimney sweeping.