Dryer Vent Cleaning: Signs It's Overdue

Most people don't think about the dryer vent until something feels off. A load of towels needs a second cycle. The laundry room is warmer than it used to be. The dryer seems to run forever. Those are often the first hints that lint has been building up in the vent for a while.

Here's how to read the signs, a quick test you can do yourself, and what to expect from a professional cleaning in Tacoma.

Why dryer vents fill up

The lint screen catches most lint, but not all of it. Every load sends some fine lint into the vent along with hot, damp air. Over time, it collects along the walls of the duct, at bends, and at the outside cap. The opening gets smaller, air moves more slowly, and even more lint settles.

In our damp climate, there's another factor. Moist lint is heavier and stickier than dry lint. In vents that run through a cool crawlspace or along an exterior wall, it clings more easily.

The signs, from mild to urgent

Early signs

• Longer drying times. Clothes that used to dry in one cycle now need more time.
• Damp spots. Thick items like jeans or towels come out damp in the seams or pockets.
• More lint than usual on clothes or around the lint screen housing.

Clear signs

• The laundry room gets hot or humid while the dryer runs.
• The top or sides of the dryer feel very hot.
• Lint around the outside vent, on the siding or on the ground below it.
• The outside flap barely moves when the dryer runs.

Stop-and-call signs

• A burning smell while the dryer runs.
• The dryer shuts off early or a high-heat warning appears, on models that have one.
• No airflow at all at the outside vent.

If you notice a burning smell, stop using the dryer until the vent is checked. The U.S. Fire Administration lists clothes taking longer to dry, a dryer that gets very hot, a vent flap that doesn't open and a burning smell among the signs a dryer vent needs attention. It also notes that failure to clean dryers is a leading cause of home dryer fires.

A five-minute test

You can check your vent's airflow without tools.

1. Clean the lint screen.
2. Start the dryer on a heat setting with no load or a small load.
3. Go outside and find the vent cap.
4. Hold your hand in front of it. You should feel a strong, steady stream of warm air.
5. Watch the flap or louvers. They should open fully.

If the air is weak, cool, or barely there, the vent is likely restricted somewhere between the dryer and the cap. If the airflow is strong outside but drying is still slow, the issue might be the dryer itself, which is a job for an appliance technician.

Things that make vents clog faster

Some homes need cleaning more often than others:

• Long vents that run through attics, crawlspaces or up to the roof
• Several elbows in the run
• Plastic or foil accordion-style ducts, which USFA advises against in favor of rigid or flexible metal venting
• A crushed transition hose behind the dryer
• Large households that run the dryer daily
• Pets, whose hair ends up in the dryer along with clothes

How often to have it done

There's no single schedule that fits every home. A short, straight vent in a small household may stay clear for a long time. A long upstairs run in a busy family home can clog much sooner. The most reliable guide is the list of signs above, plus a habit of checking the outside cap every few months. If you've just moved in and don't know when the vent was last cleaned, it's sensible to have it done early rather than waiting for a symptom. Your dryer's manual may also include maintenance guidance for the vent.

What a professional cleaning includes

American Air Duct Cleaning Of Tacoma cleans dryer vents from the connection behind the dryer to the exterior cap, removing lint buildup along the way. We check the line and the outside flap, and an inspection is included. The price is $99 for up to 10 feet of vent, plus $15 for each additional foot.

If we notice a crushed hose, a damaged cap or a vent route that looks longer than it should be, we'll let you know. Repairs to the dryer itself are a job for an appliance technician.

We clean dryer vents for homes and businesses across Tacoma and nearby communities. Learn more about dryer vent cleaning or see all rates on our pricing page.