Dryer Vent Cleaning, Hire or DIY?
Dryer vent cleaning may not seem like a dangerous thing to overlook. After all, you clean your lint screen every load, so you should be good, right? Wrong. Lint still gets through to the duct system, which means that needs to be cleaned.
Homeowners can feel like there’s a never-ending list of things to do. Maintaining, cleaning, and repairs can really stack up. It’s hard to know what you need to prioritize. However, according to the US Fire Administration, dryer lint is the cause of over 15,000 fires every year. That means there’s one house fire caused by dryer lint build-up about every half hour.
Dryer lint can be a real hazard to your home, so how do you keep your family safe without breaking the bank?
Can I DIY Cleaning My Dryer Vents?
Sure, in some cases. First, if your ducts are less than 6 feet in length and completely straight. If you have a dryer that’s connected directly to an outside wall, it’s safe to DIY. The small amount of ductwork makes it easy to clean.
Secondly, make sure you have a lint cleaning kit (you can find these on Amazon or at some hardware stores). A vacuum hose alone won’t catch the buildup the way it should, and you should never, ever use a leaf blower. Not only are leaf blowers ineffective, they put you at risk of damaging your ducts. Duct cleaning simply isn’t a job they were designed for, so save them for the fall.
Finally, if your ductwork is new or was recently cleaned, it’s ok to DIY. There will be very little buildup, which means cleaning it should be a quick and smooth task.
If
all of these conditions are met, go for it! When done safely, DIY-ing household tasks can be inexpensive, rewarding, and fun.
When Should I Hire Someone to Clean My Dryer Vents?
Like with any home maintenance task, it’s best to hire a professional anytime you feel uncertain. However, there are a few times where it’s absolutely necessary to hire instead of DIY.
If your home has ducts with any elbows as part of the dryer vent, don’t DIY. Home lint cleaning kits aren’t very sturdy and they aren’t as effective as professional equipment. If there are any turns in your ductwork, the DIY equipment could break or get stuck.
Maybe your home has straight ducts, but they’re longer than six feet. You’ll run into similar problems there, too. A DIY kit won’t reach all the way through, so they can make the build-up worse instead of better.
It’s especially important to hire a professional if it has been 6 months or more since your
vents were cleaned. Professional equipment will be more effective at cleaning large amounts of build-up. It’s also sturdier and longer, so it can reach any areas of your ducts that have buildup.
How Often Do I Need to Clean My Dryer Vents?
The US Fire Administration says your vents need to be cleaned at least every six months. They recommend cleaning them every three months to monitor and prevent any excess build up.
Remember, this is even if you clean the lint screen in your dryer regularly. Cleaning the screen helps with maintenance, but it isn’t the only step.
To keep yourself and your family safe and healthy, make sure every aspect of your system is clean and functional.
If you’re uncertain or need help, it’s always safest to
call a professional for help. We want to make sure your family is safe, so we’ll give you a free quote depending on your home’s specific needs. Whether you choose to hire or DIY, consulting a professional means you can feel confident in the choice you make in caring for your home.
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