Dryer Vent Cleaning

Why should you clean your dryer vent?

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission's 1997 Residential Fire Loss Estimates (latest information available) - 16,700 residential fires originated from dryer vents. 30 deaths and $84 million in property damage resulted from these fires. The previously reported number from 1995 was 13,700. The number of residential fires attributed to dryer vents is on the increase. Prairie Dust Busters is able to clean any residential, commercial and industrial dryer vent.

Reasons for inspection and cleaning of your Dryer Vent:

Increased drying time?

Is the dryer operating hotter than normal?

Reduces chance of dryer vent fire.

When the dryer is used, over time lint will collect and adhere to the inside of the dryer vent walls. The larger the buildup, the larger the risk of having a dryer vent fire.

Reduces "wasted electricity" and "appliance stress". Use of a dryer with a dirty vent can cause the dryer to run longer to dry the same amount of clothes because the hot air being expelled cannot freely exit the vent.

Longer drying time takes more electricity and puts added stress on the appliance.
How do you clean the dryer vent ?

Depending on what type of dryer you have - stack-able, side-by-side, gas or electric - and how your dryer is vented - through the wall, up through the roof, across the inside of the ceiling, etc. - the basic procedure is the same.

Our service technician will inspect the dryer vent. We use air pressure and agitation tools along with vacuum to clean out the entire vent. Once the cleaning equipment has traveled the length of the vent enough times to thoroughly clean the vent, we'll clean out the connection piece, reattach your dryer and recheck the vent while your dryer is operating.

We also have video inspection equipment we can use.

Warning Signs!

Clothes take an unusually long time to dry

Clothes are hotter than usual at the end of the cycle

Outside of dryer is unusually hot

Damper (or flappers) on exhaust termination doesn’t open or barely opens when dryer is on

Laundry room feels warmer or more humid than normal

Unexplained moisture stains appear in concealed dryer exhaust duct area

Burnt smells in laundry room