Dryer Vent Frequently Asked Questions
If a dryer vent cleaning is on your to-do list, we can help with any questions you may have. See our list below or call Crystal Clean Duct Service LLC at (571) 364-6588 for more information or to get a free quote now. We serve Northern Virginia including Fairfax County and the surrounding areas.
Some people mistakenly believe the lint trap that needs to be cleaned after every load of laundry is the vent. It is not. The dryer exhaust vent is the tube behind the dryer that connects your dryer to the wall and exits the home through a vent hood located on the outside side wall or roof of your home.
Yes. Dryer fires are a very real threat to homeowners. According to USFA.Fema.gov, each year there are 2,900 clothes dryer fires resulting in 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. In 34% of the cases, failure to clean the dryer is the cause of the fire. Most homeowners don’t realize lint is highly flammable. A lint buildup can reduce airflow and back up exhaust gas into a hot dryer, which is a combustible combination — and one of the most important reasons as to why you should clean the dryer vents. Don’t be the next statistic.
- If your dryer takes more than one cycle to dry your clothing, this could indicate a buildup of lint in the vent.
- Clothes that are hot after one cycle of drying points to a possible problem.
- A dryer that is hot to the touch while it is running could indicate a blockage in the vent.
- Lint around and behind the dryer is a sign that the vent needs cleaning.
- Laundry rooms that become warm or humid while the dryer is running is a hint to check your vent.
- Clothes that smell musty in the dryer could contain too much moisture due to a blocked vent.
Many appliance manufacturers recommend once every year for a professional dryer vent inspection and cleaning. However, each household is unique in their dryer usage and size of the family. Crystal Clean Duct Service LLC recommends a cleaning every one to three years depending upon the following:
- If your dryer is older than 10 years old, the vent may need to be cleaned more often.
- The longer the dryer vent, the more often it will need to be cleaned. Short dryer vents of five feet or less will not need to be cleaned as often.
- A straight exhaust vent will not need to be cleaned as often as one with bends or elbows.
- Compact or stackable dryers don’t have as good air flow as full-size dryers and may need to be cleaned more frequently.
- A dryer that is used frequently will need to be cleaned more often.
- Commercial establishments with high-dryer usage may need more frequent cleanings.
No. Plastic tubing is often found in older homes, and it is a fire hazard. Current standards recommend solid aluminum ducting, which cannot contain any screws to hold the tubing together. We can handle any installation and repairs associated with the dryer vent system.
Research by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has demonstrated that HVAC system cleaning may allow systems to run more efficiently by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components. Clean, efficient systems are less likely to break down, have a longer life span, and generally operate more effectively than dirty systems.
We are members of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association and CSIA. Our technicians are C-DET certified and professionally trained in dryer vent cleaning. The cleaning process is especially important when working with gas dryers. Hiring a CSIA-Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician (C-DET)® means you’re trusting your home and family to someone who has spent countless hours studying for an extensive exam, covering everything from the proper inspection and maintenance of dryer vents to the applicable codes and standards relating to these systems. We provide honest, punctual service, use state-of-the-art equipment, and offer scam-free, flat-rate pricing.
