Dryer vent cleaning: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What dryer vent cleaning is

Dryer vent cleaning clears lint from the duct that runs from the dryer to the outside. The technician uses brushes or air tools, then checks the exterior flap and the hose connections for blockage. Lint built up in the vent can make a dryer run long, overheat or start a fire.

Signs you need it

  • Clothes take much longer to dry than they used to, even when the lint filter is clean.
  • The laundry room or the outside of the dryer vent is hot, or the dryer shuts off for overheating.
  • The outside exhaust flap does not open fully, or lint is visible around it.
  • You smell a burning or scorched odor when the dryer runs.
  • The clothes come out damp or the dryer feels like it is working harder than it should.
  • Lint has built up on the floor behind the dryer or around the connecting hose.

What the pro does

  • Disconnect the dryer and check the transition duct from the dryer to the wall or floor vent.
  • Clean the lint out of the transition duct and the wall vent with brushes or a rotary tool.
  • Run a long flexible brush or air tool through the full length of the vent duct, from the dryer end to the exterior vent
  • Clean the exterior vent hood and check that the flap opens and closes freely.
  • Check the vent route for crushed sections, sagging, joints that are not connected and birds' nests or debris.
  • Reconnect the dryer, test a short drying cycle and confirm the airflow out the exterior vent.

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of the vent run and the number of bends, since each bend traps more lint.
  • Vent material, such as rigid metal, semi-rigid metal or flexible foil, which changes how the cleaning is done.
  • Access to the vent through a crawl space, an attic or a wall.
  • Whether the exterior vent hood is high on a wall or a roof, which adds labor and safety work.
  • Whether a damaged section or a crushed hose needs replacing.
  • Whether the job includes a check of the dryer's airflow or the dryer's own internal parts.
  • Whether the vent runs through an unusually long or multi-story path.

What a written quote should spell out

  • The vent length, the number of bends and the material of the duct.
  • The cleaning method used and the parts cleaned, such as the transition duct, the wall vent and the exterior hood.
  • Any replacement part, listed separately, with the reason it is needed.
  • The result of the airflow test, or a note that the exterior flap opens and closes freely.
  • Warranty terms, if the replacement part has one.

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you clean the whole vent run from the dryer to the outside, or only the first section?
  • What material is my vent duct, and does it need replacing?
  • Will you check the exterior flap, the hood and any birds' nests or debris outside?
  • Will you check the airflow after the cleaning and tell me the result?
  • If the vent is too long, what do you recommend to shorten or reroute it?
  • Will you check the dryer's own vent connection and the transition duct?
  • Do you use any products in the vent, and if so, which ones?

Red flags

  • The pro cleans only the lint screen or the first few feet of the vent.
  • The pro uses a flexible plastic or foil duct to replace a rigid duct without explaining the fire risk.
  • The pro cannot show the exterior hood or the flap, or the airflow after the cleaning.
  • The pro sells a vent product that is not tied to a measured problem in the vent.

What you can do yourself

Clean the lint filter after every load, and wipe the lint from the area around the dryer. You can also remove the lint from the exterior hood flap by hand if it is easy to reach and the dryer is off. Do not run the dryer with a blocked or crushed vent, and leave the dryer disconnect, the long vent run and any roof or high-wall work to a professional.

Licenses and permits

Dryer vent cleaning is often done by cleaning or HVAC contractors, and some areas may require a license for it. Changes to the vent duct or the exterior opening may need a permit. Check with your state or local licensing agency for the requirements that apply to the work in your area.

Dryer vent cleaning questions

How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?

A common schedule is to check the vent at least once a year, and more often for a long vent, a busy household or a dryer that is slowing down. The check tells you whether lint is building up in the run.

Why does my dryer take so long to dry?

Lint in the vent restricts the airflow, so the dryer cannot remove moisture quickly. A clogged vent can also cause the dryer to overheat and shut off.

Is a lint fire a real risk?

Yes. Lint is flammable, and a blocked vent can overheat the dryer. Clean the vent regularly and keep the area around the dryer clear.

Can I use a plastic vent hose?

Use rigid or semi-rigid metal duct for the vent. Plastic or thin foil flexible duct traps lint more easily and is a greater fire risk. Ask the technician what is safe for your run.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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