Dryer Vent Solutions

Information may not be reliable

The better a dryer vent blows, the less lint builds up in it. Short vents blow better than long ones. Full size dryers blow better than smaller stack dryers or older dryers. Vents with a lot of turns and elbows blow worse and build up more lint. Very short vents attached to full size dryers may never need cleaning! Most vents, however, need cleaning every two to three years, depending on the factors above.

A plugged vent will certainly cause a dryer to run hotter and increase the chance that something could catch fire. A dirty vent, however, is only one link in a chain of events that must occur for a fire to start. Other events may include: failure of thermostat and limit switches in the dryer, lint inside the dryer, a missing or damaged lint screen, and a crushed hose behind the dryer. Some of our competitors employ "scare tactics" and reprint newspaper articles about fires caused by dryers. Though fire hazards may be exaggerated, many fire departments and insurance companies do require that dryer vents be inspected and cleaned regularly.

Multi-Unit Vent Cleaning (Routine Cleaning for Apartments and Condominiums)
All dryer vents are cleaned from the outside using a high pressure, compressed air tool - a jet-snake. The jet-snake shoots down the vent like a rocket, blasting loose lint, debris, and nests, sending it to the outside, where we catch it in a special bag. It will normally turn 2 or 3 corners, cleaning to the flexible hose behind the dryer. No lint enters the dryer or residence. "Routine cleaning" is usually performed on large quantities of vents at apartments and condominiums.
Most multi-unit buildings cleaned for $15.00 to $30.00 (2009 price list)

Residential/Problem Cleaning is performed when an individual dryer is not drying clothes fast enough. We disconnect and pull the dryer out, install a large blower on the vent, and blow, brush, vacuum and/or dismantle - whatever it takes to get the vent clean! Commercial dryers in central laundry rooms are also cleaned this way.
$95.00 plus sales tax. (2009 price list)

Use this sample to inform residents how and when their dryer vents are to be cleaned. Sample Announcement Form

Bird Problems in Dryer Vents:
Any device to keep birds out can also become plugged with lint. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is a good rule for dryer vents with no bird problems. If vents do attract birds, we recommend a three-stage approach to solving them:
Stage 1: Install Deflecto (brand) louvered vent cover. Very durable. Flaps stay closed.
Stage 2: Install Deflecto bird resistant vent cover. Has a bar between each flap. But difficult to see if bars become plugged.
Stage 3: Install Deflecto Universal Bird Guard over vent cover. Large plastic cage may or may not self-clean in wind and rain. Easy to remove and clean if plugged.
Most vent covers come in white or brown and are textured to be paintable.

Bird Problems in Other Vents:
We recommend that all other vents, (bathroom exhaust fans, kitchen fans, etc.) be screened with hardware cloth to keep birds out.
More Vent Covers

Problem: Crushed hose - Small laundry closet leaves no room for hose behind dryer.

Solution: Cut drywall out around vent entering wall and remove elbow. See diagram.

Caution: Changing drywall may affect the integrity of a fire-rated wall.

The Dryerbox Solution: Recessed metal box allowing dryer to be pushed back to wall. Great for new construction.
"Deflect-o" Skinny Duct (link to same problem, above)
Problem: Birds nesting in vents.(See above) Solution: "Deflect-o" Universal Bird Guard (link)
Problem: An additional fan is needed to "boost" the dryer exhaust. Solution: "Deflect-o" Exhaust Booster
Problem: Builder has installed wrong type of vent under eaves: Solution:"Deflect-o" UNDEReve Vent
Problem: Vinyl Siding Vent Covers - A very popular type of vinyl siding comes with vent covers that have so many bars under the flaps that they plug too easily with lint. These should all be changed. (below)

Typical vent repairs that we perform include: Replacing or repairing venting in attics or crawl spaces; removing small sections of drywall in laundry closets to repair or replace venting; and drilling holes in walls to run new venting. We cannot "finish" drywall. We cannot cut holes through flat roofs. (We can arrange for qualified roofers to add vent covers through roofs.) Parts, labor and trip charges make the average vent repair cost between $150 and $250.

We will clean one individual "problem" vent in the Seattle/Eastside area for $95.00 plus sales tax. (Includes trip charge) Repairing venting behind the dryer may be extra. Removing "live" bird nests may be extra.

We do "routine cleaning" of multi-unit apartments and condominiums for between $15.00 and $30.00 each. The price depends on: the number of vents; the accessibility or height of the vents; and the number of "bird problem" vents. (We clean many typical three story apartments and condominiums on the Eastside for $15 to $19 each.)

Jobs less than $250 carry an extra $55.00 "trip charge".

Laundry room vents are usually $39.00 each plus a trip charge.

Dryer Vent Solutions was formerly Enviro-Aire Duct Cleaning. We have been in business 18 years. We are licensed, bonded and insured.

Philip Krogh (owner) has been in the duct cleaning and vacuum service business for 30 years. When customers say jump, he has a bad habit of asking "how high?". Phil's cell phone is: 206-719-0699