The Danger of Skipping Your Dryer Vent Cleaning

How Does Alameda Dryer Vents Cleaning Work?

Of all the modern luxuries, clothes dryers are perhaps the most useful and convenient – until you open the lint trap and see two weeks’ worth of extremely combustible fluff. If you don’t take care of your dryer properly, it can become a fire hazard just waiting to happen: nearly 3000 dryer fires happen every year due to clogged dryer vents, costing an estimated $35 million in property loss, hundreds of injuries, and five deaths. Professional Alameda dryer vents cleaning is the best way to prevent dryer fires and extend the life of your appliance. So, how does Alameda dryer vents cleaning work? In this blog post, we’ll outline the process of Alameda dryer vents cleaning and our other pro tips for dryer safety and fire prevention.

Why Does My Dryer Need Professional Cleaning?

Your dryer vent is one of the most important parts of your dryer – and yet, it’s often one of the most neglected. Your dryer vent, exhaust duct, and lint trap collect lint every time you use your dryer. This is perfectly normal and should be expected – but it can also be dangerous if ignored. Over time, that lint can build up and cause problems.

Lint buildup reduces airflow, and reduced airflow causes your dryer to work harder and run for longer periods of time. This not only wastes energy but also puts unnecessary wear and tear on your appliance. As flammable lint continues to build up, it starts to block the exhaust vent. When this happens, hot air has nowhere to go but back into the dryer – and that’s when things start to get dangerous.

Here are just a few of the risks associated with a clogged Alameda dryer vents:

Risks of clogged or obstructed Alameda dryer vents include:

Dryer fires. When lint buildup in the dryer vent becomes too great, it can cause a fire. Dryer fires usually start with a spark from the heating element igniting lint in the exhaust duct.
Injuries. Dryer fires can cause injuries – even fatalities. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were an estimated 30,500 dryer fires in the U.S. between 2012 and 2017. These fires resulted in 1040 injuries and sixty deaths.
Property damage. In addition to causing injuries, dryer fires can also cause property damage. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that dryer fires cause an average of $35 million in property damage each year.
Negative health effects. Clogged dryer vents can also cause negative health effects due to the buildup of carbon monoxide and other fumes. When these fumes are released into the home, they can cause respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, and even death.
Mold and mildew growth. When humid air can’t escape, it leads to moisture buildup – and that moisture is the perfect environment for mold spores to thrive.
Increased energy bills. As we mentioned, lint buildup causes your dryer to work harder. This not only wastes energy but also drives up your utility bills.
Shortened dryer lifespan. All that extra work takes a toll on your dryer, causing it to break down prematurely.

So how can you prevent these risks and keep your dryer running safely and efficiently? The best way is to have your dryer vents professionally cleaned on an annual basis. Professional dryer vent cleaning involves clearing out the lint trap, exhaust duct, and vent – removing all the built-up lint that’s putting your dryer at risk.

How Does Alameda Dryer Vents Cleaning Work?

So – how does dryer vent cleaning work when you hire professionals? When you schedule professional Alameda dryer vents cleaning services, a technician will come to your home and thoroughly clear out your dryer’s lint trap, exhaust duct, and vent.

Inspection. The technician will start by disconnecting your dryer from the power source and removing the exhaust cap from the outside of your home. Then, they will inspect your dryer, lint trap, exhaust duct, and vent to identify any potential hazards.

Lint trap cleaning. The first step is to clean out the lint trap. The technician will remove the lint screen and use a vacuum attachment to clear out all the built-up lint.

Exhaust duct cleaning. Next, the technician will disconnect the exhaust duct from the back of the dryer and use a vacuum attachment to clear out all the lint inside.

Vent cleaning. Finally, the technician will clean out the vent – removing any lint or debris that’s accumulated there.

Once all the lint has been removed, the technician will test your dryer to make sure it’s running safely and efficiently.

Prevention is Key: Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

In addition to professional Alameda dryer vents cleaning once a year, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of a dryer fire in your home. Here are some tips:

Clean the lint screen after every use. The lint screen is located inside the dryer, and it’s easy to forget to clean it. Every time you use your dryer, take a few seconds to remove the lint screen and clear away any lint that’s accumulated.
Don’t overload your dryer. Overloading your dryer puts unnecessary strain on the appliance and increases the risk of a fire.
Don’t use your dryer without a lint screen. Even if you clean the lint screen regularly, there’s always some lint that gets through. Using your dryer without a lint screen allows that lint to accumulate in the vent – which can eventually lead to a fire.
Don’t dry wet or damp clothes. Drying wet or damp clothes in your dryer can cause lint to build up more quickly. If you have any wet or damp clothes, hang them up to dry instead of using the dryer.
Keep the area around your dryer clean. Lint can accumulate quickly, so it’s important to keep the area around your dryer clean. Vacuum or sweep regularly to remove any lint that’s accumulated on the floor.

We hope this post answered your question “How does dryer vent cleaning work?” By following these tips and having your dryer vents cleaned professionally once a year, you can help prevent a dryer fire in your home. There’s nothing like the feeling of clean, warm clothes fresh out of the dryer – except for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your dryer vent is safe, clean, and able to perform its job well.

Schedule An Alameda Dryer Vents Cleaning Services

The Irish Sweep specialists can get deep into your vent system where most household cleaning methods can’t reach, so you can enjoy a safer and more effective system for years to come. Our top priority is safety and we customize our services with our client’s best interests at heart. Enjoy clean dryer vents now! To schedule an appointment with an expert, call us at (510)521-4088, or use this simple contact form by clicking here.

How Much Does Dryer Vent Cleaning Cost?

How often should you have it done? These are questions that many homeowners ask. The answer to both questions depends on a variety of factors, including location and climate. In this blog post, we will discuss the average cost of Oakland dryer vents cleaning as well as some things to consider before having it done. Keep your home safe and your energy bills low by keeping your dryer vent clean!

Why Do Oakland Dryer Vents Need Regular Cleaning?

A clothes dryer is a major appliance in your home and should be treated as such. Just like you would have your oven or refrigerator cleaned on a regular basis, you should also have your dryer vent cleaned. A clogged vent can cause several problems, including:

A fire hazard due to the build-up of lint
Increased energy bills due to the dryer having to work harder to get the job done
Poor drying performance: clothes are hot and smell burnt when they come out of the dryer

The bottom line is that a scheduled dryer vent cleaning needs to be part of your regular home maintenance routine.

How Much Does Oakland Dryer Vents Cleaning Cost?

The average cost of dryer vent cleaning is $80 to $185. This price range includes having the vent cleaned from both the inside and outside of your home. There are a few things that can affect the final cost, such as whether or not the dryer duct runs through the attic or roof. Roof dryer duct cleaning usually costs between $150 and $300. If there is a bird’s nest in the vent, that may add an additional cost of $120 to $250.

You can save money on vent cleaning costs by sticking with one company. Often, companies will reward their loyal customers with special discounts! For example, we charge $295.00 for a dryer exhaust cleaning with a PPE fee of $35.00. If you are a returning client, we charge $265.00 plus the PPE fee.

It is also important to note that the cost of dryer vent cleaning may vary depending on your location. If you live in a colder climate, for example, there may be more lint buildup due to the fact that clothes take longer to dry in cold weather.

How Often Should You Have It Done?

How often you should have your dryer vent cleaned depends on a variety of factors, including:

Location: if you live in a humid climate, you will need to have it cleaned more often than someone who lives in a drier climate
The number of people in your household: the more people there are, the more lint will be generated
The type of clothes you usually dry: if you tend to dry heavy fabrics like jeans and towels, there will be more lint buildup than if you only dry lightweight materials
The number of people in your household with long hair
The number of animals in your household

The recommended interval for air duct cleaning is every three to five years. However, it is important to speak with a professional about the specific needs of your home.

Schedule an Oakland Dryer Vents Cleaning Today

The Irish Sweep specialists can get deep into your vent system where most household cleaning methods can’t reach, so you can enjoy a safer and more effective system for years to come. Our top priority is safety and we customize our services with our client’s best interest at heart. Enjoy clean Oakland dryer vents now! To schedule an appointment with an expert, call us at (510)521-4088, or use this simple contact form by clicking here.

5 Crucial Facts On How To Clean Dryer Vent

Do you NEED to clean dryer vents? Clean dryer vents are not only important for the environment and your home, but also for your safety. Dirty dryer vents can do a number of different things to harm you, from overheating clothes to catching on fire. Keeping the vents clean is cheap and easy, so why wouldn’t you do it? In this post we’ll discuss 5 crucial facts about dryer vents that will convince you to call the cleaners right away!

Do you NEED to clean dryer vents?

Yes – otherwise we wouldn’t be writing this article! It is imperative to get your dryer vents cleaned at least once a year – and more often if you notice its function start to decline in between. Dirty, dusty vents can decrease the efficiency of your dryer, costing you more in electricity bills. Not to mention it’s just plain dangerous to have a clogged vent – lint is highly flammable and can easily cause a fire next to the hot dryer.

5 Facts About Dryer Vents

As promised, here are five key points about clean dryer vent that will make you want to get them cleaned as soon as possible:

2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.
Failure to clean the dryer (34 percent) is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires.
More home clothes dryer fires occur in the fall and winter months, peaking in January.
Without a screen, all the lint goes directly into the ventilation lines, increasing the risk of fires. Never use a dryer that has a broken, loose, damaged, or missing lint-catching screen.
Cleaning your dryer vent system at least once per year can save a typical household 30% on clothes drying costs. An efficiently-operating dryer means less cycles and time are required to dry your laundry.

It is clear that keeping your dryer vents clean is a total win-win. Not only do you save money and energy, but you also avoid damage to your clothes, unsafe conditions, and house fires. So don’t wait – call your local dryer vent cleaning crew near me today!

Signs Your Dryer Vents Need Cleaning

There are a few signs you should watch out for when assessing your dryer:

Does the vent become clogged during use?
Are your clothes or the dryer itself noticeably hot to the touch at the end of a cycle?
Are there any black marks or discolorations on your vent walls, ceiling and floor?
Have you noticed an increase in static electricity during or after use?
Does it take longer than one cycle to dry your clothes?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to call in the experts! Save your home – and yourself – from potential danger by ensuring that your dryer vents are clean and clear.

Can I clean the dryer vents myself?

When it comes to cleaning, there are some things that people feel they MUST do themselves in order to save money. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. Clean dryer vent is a task that should be left to the professionals. Not only will it save you time and energy, but it will also keep you safe from potential hazards.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Near Me

Our Irish Sweep Bay Area dryer vent cleaning services are affordable, thorough, and experienced. You can rest easy knowing that we will do exactly as promised: our cleaners have years of experience in the dryer cleaning business so they know what it takes for a successful job.

Signs You Need Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning

Read on to learn more about telltale signs that it’s time for a professional dryer vent cleaning.

Clean dryer vents are underrated. When the ducts and vents in your dryer are clean and lint-free, your clothes dry better and faster – plus you avoid several common risks. Not only are clogged dryer vents a fire hazard, they also decrease the lifespan of your dryer, use up to 30% more energy, hike up your energy bill, and invite animals to nest in the warm, soft lint in the ducts. Not exactly desirable! Luckily, keeping clean dryer vents is easy if you know the right tips, tricks, and signs to look for.

You Might Need a Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning if…

Clothes take longer than usual to dry.

How long does it take to dry your clothes? If your usual timer goes off and your clothes are still damp, then you might be wondering why your dryer’s performance has started to decline. Longer drying times are one of the first signs that there’s lint buildup in the vents or ducts. The more you continue to use your ineffective dryer, the more you increase your energy usage (and your utility bill).

It smells like something is burning.

If unusual smells are emanating from the laundry room, particularly musty, moldy, or burnt odors, stop using the dryer immediately. When clogged ducts prevent heat and moisture from properly venting, mold and mildew may begin to grow in your dryer. Burning odors coming from the dryer usually indicate that lint has begun to spark somewhere in the dryer vents or ducts, which is a serious fire hazard. No need to throw out the whole dryer – a good cleaning can remove lint from the ducts and resolve these issues.

Excessive lint appears in the lint trap after each cycle.

Lint doesn’t just disappear. When clogs appear, lint that should be pushed through the vent line may build up instead. Lint can accumulate in spaces throughout the system and laundry area, remain on your clothes since the dryer has nowhere to dispose of it, or bunch up behind the dryer and in the door seal. So much trapped lint is a fire waiting to happen.

It’s been a year since your last professional dryer vent cleaning.

For best performance, dryer longevity, and maximum safety, dryer vents and ducts should be professionally cleaned annually. Most professional cleaners use a special brush with a vacuum extension to get deep in the nooks and crannies of the dryer vent system. Between annual cleanings, make sure to regularly clean out the lint trap and lint screen – and never overload your dryer.

Hire Our Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning

The Irish Sweep specialists can get deep into your vent system where most household cleaning methods can’t reach, so you can enjoy a safer and more effective system for years to come. Our top priority is safety and we customize our services with our client’s best interest at heart. Enjoy clean dryer vents now! To schedule an appointment with an expert, call us at (510)521-4088, or use this simple contact form by clicking here.

What to Expect From Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning Experts

Read on to find out what to expect from dryer vent cleaning experts – and learn about how these services guarantee better performance!

Did you know that firefighters respond to about 13,820 house fires caused by dryers every year? These unfortunate and dangerous accidents often cause fire-related injuries and cost a great deal of money in property loss. What’s more, they are often preventable: 34% of the time, these fires are often the result of simply not cleaning the dryer vent. To keep your dryer safe and running smoothly, schedule a dryer vent cleaning experts services at least once a year for a thorough cleaning and inspection.

Expect a Thorough Cleaning

With professional services, you will get a deeper and more thorough cleaning than you would from cleaning the dryer yourself. That’s not to say you shouldn’t still clean your Orinda dryer vents regularly – doing so will keep buildup and clogs to a minimum – but professionals have the specialized equipment and techniques to extract a high volume of lint and dust. Clean dryers can dry clothes faster, run on less energy, and last longer than dirty dryers.

Expect High-Quality Equipment & Techniques

Professionals have been trained to use specialized equipment that can reach every nook and cranny in your Orinda dryer vents and ducts. The process usually involves a flexible vacuum brush, snake brush, or suctioning tool, which can reach inside the dryer vent and collect all of the debris within. After the cleaning, technicians perform an inspection using a digital airflow meter to ensure that the airflow has improved.

Expect Improved Fire Safety

Lint is essentially kindling sitting in the hot environment of the dryer vents. By keeping ducts and vents free of lint, dust, and debris, there is a greatly reduced chance of fire. Without anything to ignite, sparks won’t catch. Professional cleaning services are an investment in the fire safety of your home.

Expect High-Quality Results

Clean and maintained dryers work better, faster, and last longer. Though maintenance requires foresight and action, it offers long-term benefits for your household appliances. After dryer vent cleaning experts services, you can expect improved performance, faster drying times, reduced energy usage, reduced damage to your dryer, and reduced wear and tear on your clothes on each cycle.

Signs your dryer vents and ducts need cleaning:

It takes more than one cycle to fully dry clothes
Clothes smell musty after going through a dryer cycle
The laundry room feels hot or maybe damp while the dryer is running
Clothes are too hot to touch at the end of a cycle
The dryer sheet picks up sour or musty odors

Schedule a Dryer Vent Cleaning Experts Now

The Irish Sweep specialists can get deep into your vent system where most household cleaning methods can’t reach, so you can enjoy a safer and more effective system for years to come. Our top priority is safety and we customize our services with our client’s best interest at heart. To schedule an appointment with an expert, call us at (510)521-4088, or use this simple contact form by clicking here.

Your Summer Home Dryer Maintenance Checklist

Check out our ultimate dryer maintenance checklist of summer home dryer maintenance checklist tips to help you give your home some TLC, and learn how our experts at The Irish Sweep can help!

Ah, summer is here. The temperatures are soaring, the sun is blazing, and the days are long. It’s important that you take the time to maintain your home this summer and to prepare it for the extreme heat that you could be facing. If you’ve been scouring the internet for dryer vents cleaning, chimney services, or fireplace installation, look no further.

Indoor Summer Home Dryer Maintenance Checklist

Do a test of your smoke detectors. Replace the batteries if needed.
Get your cooling system ready. Replace the filter in your air conditioner.
Get your chimney cleaned. Yes, you might not use your fireplace again until fall or winter, but that’s exactly why this is the perfect time to call a chimney cleaning service. They won’t be as busy!
Reverse the direction of the ceiling fan if necessary. During summer, use your ceiling fan in a counterclockwise direction – this directs airflow down to create a cooling effect. Take the time to dust the fan blades, too!
Clean the garbage disposal. When’s the last time you tackled your garbage disposal? Exactly.
Take on some decluttering. Why not take the chance to go on a Marie Kondo-style decluttering spree?
Clean your dryer vents. Professional dryer vent cleaning services help your dryer work more efficiently, use less energy to do its job, and extend its lifespan. Clogged dryer vents are also a fire hazard.
Be aware of material shortages due to the pandemic. Reduced fabrication of certain appliances due to restricted access to materials is an unfortunate side effect of the coronavirus pandemic. If you have considered installing a gas or wood burning insert to your fireplace, begin the process now! Retailers and installers recommend starting renovation now to avoid a long wait for materials.

Outdoor Summer Home Dryer Maintenance Checklist

Clean your grill to prep for summer barbecuing. Use hot water, dish soap, and a scrub brush to clean a charcoal grill. For a gas grill, close the lid, turn the heat to high, and let the grill cook for about half an hour. Let it cool, then use a grill brush to sweep the grill and clean the drip trays.
Consider your watering schedule. If you’ve got plants, think about your strategy for watering them over the summer.
Add a layer of mulch. Also, some extra mulch will help fight off weeds and help your soil retain moisture during those scorching summer months.
Protect your home against unwanted guests. Caulking your windows and doors can help stop bugs and ants from infiltrating your home.
Don’t forget the pool. If you have a swimming pool, take the time to give it a good clean so it’s all ready for the summer.
Consider an outdoor clothesline. Take advantage of the warm weather and put up an outdoor clothesline so you’re not using your dryer as much.
Put a sturdy mat at the door. Help your guests avoid tracking in dirt by having a good mat at your front door.

Need Alameda Dryer Vents Cleaning?

So, there you have it – our summer home dryer maintenance checklist tips. The above list will help you clean up and take care of your home this summer. Preventive home maintenance can even help you save money on home insurance, and it’s never too late to start!

Our services at The Irish Sweep can help you get your home summer-ready in no time. To schedule an appointment with an expert, call us at (510)521-4088, or use a simple contact form by clicking here.