Dryer Vent Cleaning in Indianapolis, IN
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Step 1 of 3: Equipment
Cold vents make lint stick
Your dryer pushes out warm, damp air, and from October through May that air is hitting a vent that runs through a cold house. December through February, nights here average 23°F. The moment that warm air cools against the cold metal, moisture beads up on the inside of the vent, and lint clings to it instead of blowing straight through to the outside.
Over time that buildup narrows the vent. Air backs up, your dryer takes longer to dry a load, and the exhaust that can't escape carries heat and moisture back into the house instead.
- 23°F
- the average winter night, and cold vents catch damp lint
- 8 months
- October through May, the vent stays cold
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NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020 normals
- How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
- Once a year is the general rule for most households. A household that runs the dryer more, or has a longer duct run to the outside, will want it checked sooner since lint has more distance to build up in. If you notice any signs of a clog, don't wait for the year mark.
- Can I clean my dryer vent myself?
- You can clear the section right behind the dryer and the outside hood yourself. What you cannot easily reach is the lint packed further down the duct, especially where it bends or runs through a wall. A contractor uses a rotating brush or a vacuum built for the full length of the vent, which gets lint a homeowner's tools usually cannot.
- What are the signs of a clogged dryer vent?
- Clothes that stay damp after a full cycle are the clearest sign. Others include the dryer running hotter than usual, a burning smell, the outside vent hood barely moving when the dryer runs, and more lint than normal collecting around the lint trap. Any of these means air is not moving through the vent the way it should.