Dryer vent cleaning is the removal of lint, debris and or nest from the dyer exhaust duct. This is a process that should be done with the proper equipment, involving strong suction and vigorous brushing. Keeping in mind that the purpose of this task is to improve air flow, dryer performance and prevent a dryer fire. Its purpose is not appearance but performance and safety.
There are many ads for cheap dryer vent cleaning. $69 or $79 for example. Don't be fooled by these ads. These prices are only for the service call or the first few feet of the duct, and the price jumps much higher by the foot after that. This tactic is to get their foot in the door to try to sell you other, unrelated or unnecessary services. Consider the cost of doing business and the low prices being offered. The fact is, anyone offering dryer vent cleaning for less than $100 is most likely going to have to sell you more in order to just break even on the job. Considering, there are many expenses involved like a vehicle to fuel and maintain, vehicle insurance, business liability insurance, workers compensation insurance, service equipment and equipment maintenance and more. They have to make up for these cost somewhere, and it will always be the customer that pays, most likely with mediocre, rushed, incomplete, sloppy work. Not only that, but they may also charge extra for everything involved in the cleaning process with no GUARANTEE! I charge a flat rate with no extra charges and a 100% satisfaction guarantee!
It is unbelievable that a so called "experienced" dryer vent cleaning company actually encourages customers to use a leaf blower to clean a dryer vent. This just shows how little they know about the job.
Don't be deceived by the so called "do it yourself" or “home advisor” websites or products. They try to make it look easy, but I am frequently called to fix the problems created by this deception. You may see companies advertising dryer vent cleaning showing a man using air duct cleaning equipment to do the job. Notice that they show a man working in what appears to be a large room that will accommodate his large equipment. Most laundry areas/rooms are small, and this equipment will not fit in the room. I use the safest and most effective equipment designed specifically for dryer exhaust vents. Not equipment made for carpet or air duct cleaning or chimney sweeping. It also requires a much different skill set. Dryer vent cleaning is a very important maintenance task. It is not something to be taken lightly or ignored. Many companies, exploit this and use dryer vent cleaning as a foot in the door to sell product and services at highly inflated prices and are unnecessary. On top of this, they don't know what they are doing. (I am frequently called to fix the problems they create.)
Some unethical appliance repair companies (a large home improvement store being among them) also take advantage of customers by not asking the right questions before sending a repair technician. All they have to do is ask, "did you have your dryer vent cleaned?". If your dryer is not heating or is taking longer than normal to dry, then 90% of the time it is due to a clogged dryer vent. The appliance repair people get to your home or business and tell you to clean the dryer vent and charge for the service call.
I cannot stress this enough! I am NOT a "Jack of all trades and master of none"! I specialize in dryer vents and will not try to sell you anything more. Too many of my customers have told me the horror stories of air vent/duct cleaners and other trades that offer dryer vent cleaning but don't know what they are doing. Air duct cleaners and others only want to sell you much, much more unnecessary services. These guys will tell you all kinds of reasons to clean your air duct, and they will sound very compelling. But most of this is only a deception!
In Southern California, If you change your a/c filter on a regular basis, you will most likely never need to have the air ducts cleaned!
See videos of deceptions and scams here.
