Get matched with top dryer vent cleaners in Phillips, ME

While maintaining a clean dryer vent is crucial for your household’s safety, a professional dryer vent cleaning service will do the trick, and replacing the vent isn’t usually necessary. Provided you don’t see any kinks in your vent or damage to the exterior, a cleaning will maintain your home’s safety and will cost you less than a full replacement. You’ll spend an average of $150 on dryer vent cleaning, while a replacement will cost about $225, and both will yield more or less the same result.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, dryers and washing machines cause over 15,000 fires a year, with dryers causing about 92 percent of those fires. Because dryer fires are more common than you might think, it’s important to clear the lint trap regularly and have annual dryer vent cleanings.

Dryer vents need thorough cleanings one or two times a year, depending on family size and how often you run the machine. Failing to do so can put your home at an increased risk of fire. You should also schedule special cleanings if you notice that your dryer is taking longer to dry than normal, if you see lint building up on the outside flapper or in the vent itself, if you notice your dryer vent leaking water, or if your clothes have an odd odor on them after going through a drying cycle.

Signs that your dryer is about to catch fire include a burning smell or the dryer and the clothes getting hotter than usual. If this happens, turn the dryer off immediately and call a repair professional. Another less urgent sign is that your clothes are taking longer to dry than normal. If this is the case, check the lint trap, vent, and duct to make sure they are all clean. If they are, you may need to call a pro to find the source of the issue.