There is almost nothing worse than having a dryer that doesn’t work right. Whether it’s clothes that won’t dry, clothes that are getting too hot, or the dryer itself overheating, it’s all bad news. The good news is there’s a good chance the issue is a clogged dryer vent – and that can be fixed.
However, if you decide to take the do-it-yourself dryer vent cleaning route, there are some things you’ll need to think about before you start and while you are doing the job.
Don’t want to bother? Give us a call or reach out online. Our team offers dryer vent cleaning services throughout Greene County, Benton County, and beyond.
Can I Unclog My Dryer Vent Myself?
Sure, you can. The better question is…why would you want to? Yes, you can run down to the hardware store, spend a hefty sum on a dryer cleaning kit, after which you might (or might not) have the tools necessary to complete the job.
Then there is the time it will take. And, if you run into a problem (e.g. the clog won’t budge, you can’t reach the clog because the vent line is so long, something comes undone in the vent duct and you can’t reach it, etc.), you can count on it taking longer. You’ll have to hop back onto your laptop, type “DIY dryer vent cleaning” in the search bar, then get back to researching before diving back into the messy job (all while your spouse waits impatiently to use the dryer).
And we won’t even mention the mess involved… Think lint, dirt, and whatever has worked its way into your vents over the years.
These DIY mishaps happen more than you think because most homeowners actually have no idea how long or how many turns their dryer vent makes from the dryer to the outside of the house. Newer homes, especially, have dryers that are in the middle of the house – which means the vents have to go a long way to reach an outside wall or to the roof. The dryers in older homes were mainly on an outside wall or in the garage and had very short runs. The longer the run the more potential for issues when dealing with a clog.
What Is Clogging My Dryer Vent?
There can be so many things clogging your dryer vent from the obvious – a buildup of lint – to the ridiculous – a baby duck. You may not be aware that if you don’t have the right cover on the outside all kinds of animals can create a home in the vent. Squirrels, mice, snakes, and birds are the ones we see the most. We do also see the occasional dead animal, as well.
There is also another area where you need to be aware of potential clogs – bends in the vent. If the installers did not follow the instructions your dryer vent may have too many bends and curves per the length of the run. There are always trade-offs when it comes to the longer runs, and if whoever installed it didn’t figure those out, then there could be real issues with continued clogs in the future. In these cases, the vents will normally need to be rerun correctly.
The Cost of Unclogging a Dryer Vent: What Can I Expect?
There are going to be different costs for cleaning the dryer vent based on the following:
Where the clog is located and how difficult it is to remove it. If the clog is toward the outside of the vent then it shouldn’t be too difficult to tackle. However, if it’s toward the middle of the house or in a vertical vent on the roof, it might be difficult and take more time – thus costing a bit more. - The location of your dryer exhaust outside. If the location of the outside dryer vent is on the roof, under a low deck, on the second or third story, etc., you can expect to pay a little bit more for cleaning the dryer vent.
- The length of the dryer vent duct. The longer the runs and the more turns it has, the more the cost of the dryer vent cleaning.
- The level of lint and fiber buildup. If there is a lot of lint, fiber, and dirt in the line, it may take a few extra runs to get it cleared – and that, too, may cost a little more.
Get Your Estimate With Us
The best way to get an estimate is to call our office at 417-201-6585 and talk to one of our knowledgeable customer service representatives. That way, we can ask you questions about your unique situation, then can give you a more accurate price range based on the information we gather. Of course, until we get out there and assess the situation for ourselves, we won’t know for sure.
The most important thing is to get the dryer vent unclogged and working so you no longer have to worry about anything – except for making the time to do laundry. Call or reach out online now. We can’t wait to hear from you!