Get matched with top dryer vent cleaners in MacArthur, WV

Using a leaf blower to clean your dryer vent isn't a good idea. Theoretically, the leaf blower should push the lint and debris toward the exterior vent opening, helping it exit. That's usually not what happens, though. 

Instead, the lint can get stuck further in the vent, creating a blockage and making the problem worse. You need a scrubbing tool, such as the rotating brush head on a dryer cleaning kit, to push the lint out of the ductwork.

You might have dampers if you have a ducted heating and cooling system. To find out for sure, find the main trunk line on your HVAC unit, then look for levers or handles on the ductwork. Contact a local HVAC professional if you can’t find any dampers or want to install some.

It’s possible to clean your dryer vent yourself in most cases, but it’s usually best to leave this important task to a professional. If you make a mistake when reinstalling the vent, you could kink it, which makes it easier for a blockage to form. Instead, call in a professional annually to do a thorough cleaning and an inspection. They will make sure there are no kinks in the vent that could promote blockages in addition to cleaning it. If your vent runs through a wall, you’ll need help from a professional regardless.

The main factor to a full lint trap is what you are drying. Clothing or textiles made of heavy natural materials, like wool sweaters or cotton towels, generally create more lint than synthetic fibers. If you wash the same type of clothes all the time and suddenly start to notice more lint, that may be a sign that your dryer vent is getting clogged and you need to call in a pro for a professional cleaning.