Do you pay to have your dryer vent cleaned? (1 Viewer)

[KCitons]

Cleaned out the dryer vent over the weekend and replaced the foil/expandable hose with solid piping. Total cost was about $20 in parts and about an hour worth of time. (granted it was a short distance)

Afterwards, I was looking on line and see some places quote $125-200 just for the cleaning service. Do people really pay that much for basic clean out?

A little more research and I see a few dryer cleaning franchises are available. Cost can be as high as $50k???

 

[Spike]

Need another option in the second poll of "Do it myself".

 

[KCitons]

Need another option in the second poll of "Do it myself".

fixed

 

[chet]

Ours is ~20 feet off the ground with weird access for ladders. So yeah, I pay someone to clean it.

 

[the moops]

I pay someone to clean it.

least surprising answer ever

 

[Fat Nick]

Bought one of those home cleaning kits and cleaned ours before we had a new dryer installed last spring. It's a complete PITA to for me to do it, but I refuse to pay people to do things like that. I have to completely remove the washer, then unhook the vent hose, then remove the dryer...just to get to the vent to clean it...then hook it ALL back up again. Our laundry units are in a closet in the hallway...such a horrible place for them from a maintenance perspective. Compound it by the fact that the outside vent is 15' above the ground. I think next time I'll clean it from the outside...even with the height.

That said, if you have easy access to the vent, and use a shop vac and a drill-spun cleaning brush, this is really easy and very effective. I don't think the previous owners ever cleaned the vent. I pulled out a solid 5 gallon bucket of lint from our ~25' dryer vent run.

 

[tonydead]

So far 3 people need their man card taken away; the two that voted yes and the third that did it himself but had to complain about how hard it was.

 

[Osaurus]

Just did mine last weekend. Went on on the roof and cleaned out around the flap. Instant difference.

 

[Arizona Ron]

I have my hookers do it for me.

 

[GDogg]

I had no idea you were even supposed to do this.

 

[jomar]

I was looking to do this soon. I have easy access and maybe 20 feet of vent piping to clean out. I was hoping for some sort of giant pipe cleaner that I could just slide through there like I do for my one-hitter.

 

[Osaurus]

I was looking to do this soon. I have easy access and maybe 20 feet of vent piping to clean out. I was hoping for some sort of giant pipe cleaner that I could just slide through there like I do for my one-hitter.

We use a shop vac with a really long hose and just scrape the sides for a while until nothing else falls down.

 

[danielmclark]

I did this two weeks ago. We had a guy over to work on the roof where a family of squirrels had chewed their way into our attic, and the guy said he'd take care of the outside dryer vent at the same time (it was severely clogged). He told me he'd do it for $150 - just the outside vent! I said thanks for reminding me it needs to be done, but I'll take care of it myself.

Took five minutes and pulled about 3 inches of solid lint out of the end of the vent. I'm pulling out the dryer and doing the rest of it next weekend.

 

[Spin]

I had no idea you were even supposed to do this.

Pulling the lint tray out and scraping it before each use isn't enough I guess... Never knew I needed to do more either.

 

[NCCommish]

I had no idea you were even supposed to do this.

Pulling the lint tray out and scraping it before each use isn't enough I guess... Never knew I needed to do more either.

Lots of house fires start due to clogged dryer vents.

 

[Wildcat]

So far 3 people need their man card taken away; the two that voted yes and the third that did it himself but had to complain about how hard it was.

Mine is like a 25 foot run with two 90 elbows. It's the maximum distance it can be without it not working at all.

 

[VA703]

how is this done?! need like a reverse vacuum

 

[Sarnoff]

I had no idea you were even supposed to do this.

 

[tonydead]

So far 3 people need their man card taken away; the two that voted yes and the third that did it himself but had to complain about how hard it was.

Mine is like a 25 foot run with two 90 elbows. It's the maximum distance it can be without it not working at all.

4

 

[McGarnicle]

I just clean out the lint screen. Clothes dry just fine. I don't need to go looking for more fake things I'm supposed to do.

 

[Wildcat]

So far 3 people need their man card taken away; the two that voted yes and the third that did it himself but had to complain about how hard it was.

Mine is like a 25 foot run with two 90 elbows. It's the maximum distance it can be without it not working at all.

4

How would I go about cleaning this on my own? What would I need to accomplish such a task?

 

[VA703]

eh this is actually pretty easy

http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Clothes-Dryer-Vent

 

[matttyl]

My vent line is only about 3 feet long, so it's easy to clean, and I do so maybe once or twice a year.

Along this same line, has anyone every used a flatter vent pipe, or smaller elbow off the back of the dryer? My laundry room is only like 4 feet wide, and with a dryer that's 2 feet deep and then ~4 or 5 inches for the elbow and hose behind the unit, there isn't much room to open the dryer door.

 

[Brony]

So far 3 people need their man card taken away; the two that voted yes and the third that did it himself but had to complain about how hard it was.

Mine is like a 25 foot run with two 90 elbows. It's the maximum distance it can be without it not working at all.

4

How would I go about cleaning this on my own? What would I need to accomplish such a task?

I just use a straw.

 

[tonydead]

So far 3 people need their man card taken away; the two that voted yes and the third that did it himself but had to complain about how hard it was.

Mine is like a 25 foot run with two 90 elbows. It's the maximum distance it can be without it not working at all.

4

How would I go about cleaning this on my own? What would I need to accomplish such a task?

Dryer vent cleaning brush (~$20) and a shop vac.

 

[Tom Servo]

I had no idea you were even supposed to do this.

I'm surprised you still have a place to live.

 

[NCCommish]

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,000 fires are sparked every year by clothes dryers. Lint and other debris can build up in your dryer vent, reducing air flow to the dryer, backing up dryer exhaust gases, creating a fire hazard.
Here are some of the signs that it’s time to clean your vent:

• Clothing does not dry completely after a normal drying cycle.
• Drying time for clothing takes longer than 35 to 40 minutes in duration.
• A musty odor is noticed in the clothing following the drying cycle.
• Clothing seems unusually hot to the touch after a complete drying cycle.
• The dryer vent hood flap does not properly open as it is designed to do during the operation of the dryer.
• Debris is noticed within the outside dryer vent opening.
• Excessive heat is noticed within the room in which the dryer is being operated.
• Large amounts of lint accumulate in the lint trap for the dryer during operation.
• A visible sign of lint and debris is noticed around the lint filter for the dryer.
• Excessive odor is noticed from dryer sheets that are used during the drying cycle.

How much does it cost? Dryer vent cleaning is relatively inexpensive given its benefits. A cleaning typically costs between $100 and $150, depending on the length and location of the vent. In addition to the reduced threat of fire, a cleaning can actually pay for itself in less than a year through the improved efficiency with less drying time required.

All according to Angie's List

 

[Tom Servo]

I had no idea you were even supposed to do this.

Pulling the lint tray out and scraping it before each use isn't enough I guess... Never knew I needed to do more either.

Lots of house fires start due to clogged dryer vents.

I actually store up the lint and use it to start fires when I'm burning brush. Great fire starter.

 

[danielmclark]

Just disconnect the hose, pull out any lint with your hands, then vacuum the rest. It's really not hard. If you want to go all-out, hit it with a leaf blower after you've cleared the clog (and you guys that have never done it, there is a clog. And you're risking a house fire every time you run the dryer.) You only need to do it once a year, maybe less if you don't do much laundry.

 

[NCCommish]

I had no idea you were even supposed to do this.

Pulling the lint tray out and scraping it before each use isn't enough I guess... Never knew I needed to do more either.

Lots of house fires start due to clogged dryer vents.

I actually store up the lint and use it to start fires when I'm burning brush. Great fire starter.

Good idea.

 

[danielmclark]

I had no idea you were even supposed to do this.

Pulling the lint tray out and scraping it before each use isn't enough I guess... Never knew I needed to do more either.

Lots of house fires start due to clogged dryer vents.

I actually store up the lint and use it to start fires when I'm burning brush. Great fire starter.

I do the same for starting up my chiminea. And my daughter makes lint and wax fire starters to take with her on Girl Scout camping trips.

 

[Spin]

Stupid question, is this something that apartment maintenance does on a regular basis anyhow?

 

[NCCommish]

Stupid question, is this something that apartment maintenance does on a regular basis anyhow?

Good question. I don't think I have ever seen our complex do anything to clean them. Or any other complex I have lived in for that matter. Of course not everyone has a dryer but still.

 

[Brony]

I've heard the dryer vent cleaning industry frequently quote the fire statistics, but I've never known, nor heard of anyone having a house fire due to a dirty dryer vent.

 

[Osaurus]

I've heard the dryer vent cleaning industry frequently quote the fire statistics, but I've never known, nor heard of anyone having a house fire due to a dirty dryer vent.

Happened to a friend of mine. Dryer going while they went out to lunch. Came back and house was burned to the ground. Fire Inspector confirmed the fire started in the dryer vent.

 

[Tom Servo]

I've heard the dryer vent cleaning industry frequently quote the fire statistics, but I've never known, nor heard of anyone having a house fire due to a dirty dryer vent.

Put a match to some sometime. It will go up like right now.

 

[belljr]

mine is literally the depth of my wall plus may 1ft tops.

i go outside and just stick my hand in ,

 

[Wildcat]

So far 3 people need their man card taken away; the two that voted yes and the third that did it himself but had to complain about how hard it was.

Mine is like a 25 foot run with two 90 elbows. It's the maximum distance it can be without it not working at all.

4

How would I go about cleaning this on my own? What would I need to accomplish such a task?

Dryer vent cleaning brush (~$20) and a shop vac.

For a 25' run with two 90's? Link to something that will work for that. Or would I go from both ends?

 

[Nugget]

Need poll option: Don't clean dryer vent

 

[KCitons]

Need poll option: Don't clean dryer vent

fixed.

There are kits that you can buy. (may want to check out a chimney cleaning place) I read one article where a guy connected a shop vac outside and a leaf blower inside. Between the two, the thing came out squeaky clean.

Mine was clogged about 80%. With the cold weather the lint was pretty damp. Not sure if it could have started on fire. Last year, when I had the dryer apart for repair, I noticed a lint build up in the dryer. The lint trap for ours is on the top of the dryer, instead of in the door. Every time you pull the trap out, you could scrap some lint off. When you put the trap back in, you are forcing that bit of lint down into a pocket at the bottom.

Just another thing to help you sleep at night. (while the dryer is running)

 

[McGarnicle]

Stop shopping at Walmart and Target and get some clothes that don't produce lint. Cretins.

 

[tonydead]

So far 3 people need their man card taken away; the two that voted yes and the third that did it himself but had to complain about how hard it was.

Mine is like a 25 foot run with two 90 elbows. It's the maximum distance it can be without it not working at all.

4

How would I go about cleaning this on my own? What would I need to accomplish such a task?

Dryer vent cleaning brush (~$20) and a shop vac.

For a 25' run with two 90's? Link to something that will work for that. Or would I go from both ends?

Try Google, there is plenty of options, similar technology your plumber uses to unclog your pipes with multiple bends.

If you can get air blowing through you can blow a string all the way through and then pull a pig (brush) through.

Are the elbows located in the wall or in a crawl space? It's unusual to have elbows inside a wall where you can't get at them. Are you sure it's not just a flexible pipe?

 

[Wildcat]

So far 3 people need their man card taken away; the two that voted yes and the third that did it himself but had to complain about how hard it was.

Mine is like a 25 foot run with two 90 elbows. It's the maximum distance it can be without it not working at all.

4

How would I go about cleaning this on my own? What would I need to accomplish such a task?

Dryer vent cleaning brush (~$20) and a shop vac.

For a 25' run with two 90's? Link to something that will work for that. Or would I go from both ends?

Try Google, there is plenty of options, similar technology your plumber uses to unclog your pipes with multiple bends.

If you can get air blowing through you can blow a string all the way through and then pull a pig (brush) through.

Are the elbows located in the wall or in a crawl space? It's unusual to have elbows inside a wall where you can't get at them. Are you sure it's not just a flexible pipe?

They are in inaccessible space. It's not unusual either (I Googled it). It is not flex tubing, it's 4" duct. See, this is why I pay someone. Too much effort involved. It's only once a year and worth it for me. Take away my card if you like.

 

[TLEF316]

Condo association requires me to have a contractor do it every 2 years. They set up the appointments and we supposedly get a discount.

For all I know, it's just a bs money grab for someone's cousin but oh well

 

[Fennis]

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,000 fires are sparked every year by clothes dryers. Lint and other debris can build up in your dryer vent, reducing air flow to the dryer, backing up dryer exhaust gases, creating a fire hazard.
Here are some of the signs that it’s time to clean your vent:

• Clothing does not dry completely after a normal drying cycle.
• Drying time for clothing takes longer than 35 to 40 minutes in duration.
• A musty odor is noticed in the clothing following the drying cycle.
• Clothing seems unusually hot to the touch after a complete drying cycle.
• The dryer vent hood flap does not properly open as it is designed to do during the operation of the dryer.
• Debris is noticed within the outside dryer vent opening.
• Excessive heat is noticed within the room in which the dryer is being operated.
• Large amounts of lint accumulate in the lint trap for the dryer during operation.
• A visible sign of lint and debris is noticed around the lint filter for the dryer.
• Excessive odor is noticed from dryer sheets that are used during the drying cycle.

How much does it cost? Dryer vent cleaning is relatively inexpensive given its benefits. A cleaning typically costs between $100 and $150, depending on the length and location of the vent. In addition to the reduced threat of fire, a cleaning can actually pay for itself in less than a year through the improved efficiency with less drying time required.

All according to Angie's List

What you expect Big Handyman Lobby to say?

 

[GDogg]

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,000 fires are sparked every year by clothes dryers. Lint and other debris can build up in your dryer vent, reducing air flow to the dryer, backing up dryer exhaust gases, creating a fire hazard.
Here are some of the signs that it’s time to clean your vent:

• Clothing does not dry completely after a normal drying cycle.
• Drying time for clothing takes longer than 35 to 40 minutes in duration.
• A musty odor is noticed in the clothing following the drying cycle.
• Clothing seems unusually hot to the touch after a complete drying cycle.
• The dryer vent hood flap does not properly open as it is designed to do during the operation of the dryer.
• Debris is noticed within the outside dryer vent opening.
• Excessive heat is noticed within the room in which the dryer is being operated.
• Large amounts of lint accumulate in the lint trap for the dryer during operation.
• A visible sign of lint and debris is noticed around the lint filter for the dryer.
• Excessive odor is noticed from dryer sheets that are used during the drying cycle.

How much does it cost? Dryer vent cleaning is relatively inexpensive given its benefits. A cleaning typically costs between $100 and $150, depending on the length and location of the vent. In addition to the reduced threat of fire, a cleaning can actually pay for itself in less than a year through the improved efficiency with less drying time required.

All according to Angie's List

What you expect Big Handyman Lobby to say?

 

[tonydead]

They are in inaccessible space. It's not unusual either (I Googled it). It is not flex tubing, it's 4" duct. See, this is why I pay someone. Too much effort involved. It's only once a year and worth it for me. Take away my card if you like.

Oh, not really looking for help, just trying to prove a point I see.

4" duct is super simple to pull a pig through, much easier to clean than flex pipe. Assuming it's not completely blocked you could clean it in less than 10 minutes.

 

[The_Man]

I clean the dryer vent myself. However, after having our floors refinished, it created a ton of dust and other particles that got into the ducts.

So I did pay to have my ducts sucked professionally.

Money well spent.

 

[E-Z Glider]

I dont do laundry. This sounds like a job for my wife.

 

[Fennis]

I clean the dryer vent myself. However, after having our floors refinished, it created a ton of dust and other particles that got into the ducts.

So I did pay to have my ducts sucked professionally.

Money well spent.

I tried this but my wife threatened divorce.