Dryer Duct Cleaning Cost

How much should you expect to depend on professional cleaners to clean your dryer ducts? This article will help you understand the facts and expected dryer duct cleaning cost in detail.

How Much Should a Dryer Duct Cleaning Cost?

The average price for cleaning dryer vents in the U.S. is $145, with a range of $104 to $185. Yet, the true cost can differ based on several factors such as:

  • Location: Costs for dryer vent cleaning can differ depending on where you live. Generally, prices are higher in cities and metro areas because of increased labor costs.
  • Vent Location: Where your dryer vent is situated greatly impacts the cleaning cost. Vents on roofs or second floors usually cost more to clean due to the need for special tools, and it takes longer because of hard access.

Below is a table showing the average costs we gathered from various sources:

Vent LocationAverage Cost
Basement or first-floor dryer vent$84 – $156
Second-floor dryer vent$115 – $180
Roof dryer vent$157 – $256
  • Vent Length: The length of the dryer vent can impact the cost. Longer vents need more cleaning time, hence usually higher costs.
  • Number of Bends: How many bends your dryer vent has can influence the price too. Each 90-degree bend complicates cleaning and may take more effort and time.
  • Time Since Last Cleaning: If it has been a long time since your last dryer vent cleaning, there’s probably a lot of lint accumulated. This makes the cleaning harder and longer, leading to higher costs.
  • Additional Services: Some companies may provide extra services like dryer vent checks, bird nest removal, or installation of lint alert systems. These will increase the total cost of cleaning your dryer vent.

Here’s average cost of some common dryer vent cleaning services we collected from different sources:

Service            Average Cost

  • Dryer vent cleaning + air duct cleaning:       $341 – $820
  • Dryer vent cleaning + bird nest removal:      $122 – $252
  • Dryer vent inspection:           $34 – $61
  • Dryer vent rerouting / new installation:       $202 – $506
  • Bird guard installation:          $30 – $101
  • Lint Alert monitoring system installation:    $177 – $250
  • DIY dryer vent cleaning kit:   $15 – $56

How Do I Know If My Dryer Vent is Clogged?

There are a few indications that your dryer vent might need cleaning. These are as follows:

  • Longer drying time: If your clothes are taking too much time (typically longer than 45 minutes cycle) to get dried, this might indicate that the dryer vent is blocked.
  • Hot dryer: After drying, if it is very hot, then this is because of limited airflow due to the clogged vent.
  • Burning smell: A burning smell from your dryer is a serious warning that your vent is blocked and may pose a fire risk.
  • Lint gathering: Wherever there is a collection of lint at the joining of the dryer vent or outside vent cover, it automatically creates a need to clean your vent.

Can I Clean Out My Dryer Vent Myself?

Yes, you can clean your dryer vent alone, but we don’t recommend it. You should hire a professional for this task as you may feel uneasy about handling dryer vents or if your vent is hard to reach. Here is a short comparison of doing it yourself versus professional dryer vent cleaning:

DIY Dryer Vent Cleaning

  • Pros: Less expensive than hiring a professional
  • Cons
    •  Requires some knowledge and physical strength
    • Can be time-consuming
    • May not be as effective as professional cleaning

How Do Professional’s Clean Dryer Ducts?

Pros:

  • More thorough cleaning
  • Quicker and easier
  • Less risk of damaging your dryer vent

Cons: More expensive than DIY

Can A Plumber Clean Out a Dryer Vent?

Yes, a plumber can clean out a dryer vent. While they may not be the first professional you think of for this task, plumbers have the necessary tools and basic knowledge to safely and effectively clear a clogged dryer vent.

How to Unclog a Dryer Duct?

If you want to clean your dryer vent by yourself, here is a simple guide to help you do it safely:

  • Unplug the Dryer and Turn Off the Gas (if necessary): First, turn off the electricity supply of your dryer then set up its clean and tidy working environment. In case your dryer’s power source is gas, then disconnect the gas supply.
  • Remove the Vent: Slowly remove the vent hose from the dryer and the wall or from the vent. This enables you to get to the places that require cleaning.
  • Clean the Vent: By occasionally using a vacuum together with a brush, it becomes easier to get rid of lint, dust or debris inside the vent. To clean it better, on should try to purchase a dryer vent cleaning kit, which contains a long brush and a hose to vacuum very tight spaces.
  • Clean Inside the Dryer: Pull out the lint screen, and also clean around the vent connection inside the dryer. Lint may be built up there, so cleaning it helps enhance circulation and reduces fire dangers.
  • Reconnect the Vent: After cleaning it, make sure you reconnect the vent hose to the dryer and to the wall properly. Everything should fit tight to avoid allowances for air to come through.

By following these instructions, your dryer can work better, reduce your energy bills, and importantly, lower the fire risk.

Is It Better to Clean Dryer Vents from Inside and Outside?

To ensure your dryer vent is clean and safe, you should clean both the inside and outside. This helps prevent lint buildup, improves airflow, and reduces the risk of fire.

Here’s how to do it:

Inside Cleaning:

  • Disconnect the dryer from the power source.
  • Remove the lint trap and clean it thoroughly.
  • Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to clean the inside of the vent duct.

Outside Cleaning:

  • Remove the exterior vent cover.
  • Clean any debris around the vent opening.
  • Use a vacuum cleaner to remove lint from the outside of the vent.

By cleaning both sides, you can increase the efficiency of your dryer vent

Can I use a Leaf Blower to Clean My Dryer Vent?

We don’t recommend you to use a leaf blower to clean dryer vent. It is dangerous to your dryer vent as it can damage the dryer vent by pushing the lint through the vent and forming blockages. It can also damage the vent material or cause great harm to the dryer.

Safer alternatives to using a leaf blower:

  • Dryer Vent Cleaning Kit: We recommend using a brush that is connected to the drill for the removal of lint.
  • Vacuum Cleaner: Utilize an extended nozzle and a brush attachment with the plastic tube to clean out the vent and the walls of the pipe.

Do All Dryers Have a Second Lint Trap?

No, every dryer gets a second lint trap. Long vents, heat pump dryers, and wash/dry combo units have more lint filters sometimes. Other dryers have them in the door jam or on the back part. Top-load dryers could have a lint screen inside the door or on the top side.

So, drryer duct cleaning cost depends on factors like where you are, how old the vent is, and services you need. On average it costs around 145$.

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