When lint clogs a dryer duct:

Fire!

Dryer Vent Cleaning prevents fires, dryer downtime and irate tenants. There are over 15,000 dryer related fires a year!

We remove lint, bird nests and articles of clothing from dryer vents in homes, beauty salons, apartments, condos, and many other establishments. Duct Dudes Power Vacuum Service uses high-powered vacuum trucks to clean dryer vents as well as air ducts, heaters, furnaces, and loose insulation.

Many companies fall short of fully cleaning the dryer vent, we are constantly proving to customers that previous companies have not touched the full length of the dryer vent run. Duct Dudes will always ensure that the FULL LENGTH of the dryer vent has been cleaned. This sometimes entails cutting additional access points to the dryer vent from the attic, basement, or where ever the dryer vent routes through the house.

The information below is provided as a courtesy. Our source for this data is the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the standards currently published as the International Mechanical Code (IMC). Please consult the Owner’s Manual of your clothes dryer for additional information and for cautions that may be specific to your region or to your appliance.

Cleaning your clothes dryer exhaust duct is an important service.

If you notice that your clothes are taking more than one cycle to dry, or if your dryer is becoming excessively hot to the touch, you most likely have a buildup of lint and debris in your ducting. Lint build up catches the water vapor from your dryer and prevents the heat to exhaust properly outdoors. This is a serious problem. This will not only burn out your dryer, but it can cause a fire, water damage, health risks, and higher electrical costs.

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Some benefits of routine dryer vent cleanings are prevention of a possible dryer vent related fire, clothes dry faster which leads to reduced energy bills, and protecting the investment of your dryer, new or used, dryers are expensive and routine maintenance will increase the life of the dryer.

We can develop a maintenance schedule that is tailored to your particular type of ducting and structure. "How often does my dryer duct need cleaning?" This is a question that we cannot answer until we have seen your situation and in most cases a history must be developed.

Check our video section to see how much lint a small, 6ft residential dryer vent can hold. Also check the following link to a presentation that was aired on ABC News Channel 4.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vixNauSDz4

Independence

Dryer exhaust systems should be independent of all other venting systems. Clothes dryer exhaust must not be connected to a gas vent connector, a gas vent or a chimney. Clothes dryers should only be connected to ductwork designed specifically for exhausting that particular appliance.

Two Duct Systems

Most clothes dryers actually have two separate ducts or duct systems. One is called the connector or transition duct. This is the short (8’ or less in length) duct that normally connects the exhaust vent of the dryer to an opening in a nearby wall. This wall opening is the entry point for the second duct or duct system, called the main duct, which is often concealed inside walls, ceiling or attic spaces, and must lead always and only to outside air.

Connections

The connector duct must be secured to the dryer and to the wall opening using heat-resistant metal tape, never with screws, rivets or any fasteners that protrude into the interior of the duct. Protrusions into the duct cause turbulence in the airflow and collect lint, reducing the efficiency of the duct system. The main dryer duct, at the point at which it connects to outside air, must have an exhaust hood with a self-closing damper to prevent back draft and entry of small animals.

Size

Both the connector duct and the main duct must be a minimum of 4” in diameter. A one-half-inch buildup of lint in a 4” diameter duct reduces its efficiency by 44%. The length of the connector duct must not exceed eight feet. The length of the main duct must not exceed 25 feet (note: for each forty-five degree bend, add 2 ½ feet to the total duct length, and for each ninety-degree bend, add 5 feet to the total duct length).

Materials

Both connector and main ducts must be metal (either rigid or flexible) and be thick enough, minimum 28 gauge, to be non-combustible. Metal foil does not qualify and can be easily ignited. Plastic, of course, is a distinct fire hazard and must never be used in either duct.

Important Tip: Do not store your fire extinguisher on top or around your dryer. You will not be able to get to it in the event of a dryer fire.