Cleaning a Dryer Vent Isn’t As Simple As You Think

People often look at their dryer ventilation system and think, “I could clean that in a few minutes.” Sure, you might be able to remove the superficial lint, but there’s a lot more to the process. To adequately clean your dryer vent, you would need to do the following:

1. Pull the dryer out from the wall – and make sure you pull it out far enough to have enough room – and turn off the electricity or gas. Remember that the machine is heavy and you run the risk of rattling around some important pieces.
2. Remove the tube connected from the back of the dryer to the vent. You’ll need an industrial powered vacuum and brushes to thoroughly clean the space. Depending on the length of the tube, you may need a vacuum with a camera attached to see all the deposits that need to be eradicated.
3. Clean your lint trap. Most people remember to swipe off the top layer before each load. For a deep clean, you need to use brushes to clean out the lint deposits in the container that are not visible to the naked eye.
4. Clean the area behind the dryer. No, not just a quick swipe. A good vacuum and wash is necessary to clean all the dirt.
5. Vacuum and scrub out the tube leading outside your house. Again, an industrial powered vacuum, possibly one with cameras, might be required.
6. Wipe out the exterior vent. You’ll need more brushes for this step.
7. Finally, put it all back together and make sure it’s working properly.

Now that you know all the steps involved and the materials needed to clean a dryer system, do you really want to do it yourself? Give us a call today. One of our trained technicians would be happy to schedule an appointment.