Dryer vent cleaning.
Over 15,000 home dryer fires happen in the U.S. every year, and lint accumulation is the leading cause. We mechanically clean the entire run, re-seal compromised joints, and test the airflow before we leave.
Lint is the
fuel dryer fires need.
Every load of laundry sheds lint. Most of it goes into the lint trap. The rest builds up inside the dryer vent — coating the duct walls, accumulating around the elbows, packing into the exterior vent hood. Heat from the dryer plus enough lint equals ignition. The U.S. Fire Administration logs 15,000+ residential dryer fires every year.
Most homeowners have never had their dryer vent cleaned. Most homeowners do not know how to. We do this work every week — extension brushes sized to the run length, rotational power tools that scour the duct walls, and a negative-pressure vacuum that captures every flake of lint before it escapes into the laundry room.
Heart's Chimney has been on Sonoma County rooftops for 25+ years. The dryer vent and the chimney are both venting systems on the same roof — we service both because they are the same problem from the same direction.
What dryer vent cleaning actually prevents.
Fire ignition risk
Lint is a Class-A fuel. Remove it and you remove the primary ignition path. Annual cleaning is the only proven defense against dryer fires.
Energy bill creep
A clogged duct forces the dryer to run longer to dry the same load — sometimes 50% longer. Annual cleaning routinely restores dryer cycle times to 35-50 minutes from 60-90+.
Dryer appliance life
Restricted airflow makes the heating element work harder and shortens the appliance lifespan by 2-4 years on average. Cleaner vent, longer-lasting dryer.
Mold and moisture risk
A clogged dryer vent pushes warm humid air back into the laundry room. Over years, that humidity drives mold growth in framing and drywall behind the appliance.
Carbon monoxide (gas dryers)
A gas dryer vent that is restricted can backdraft combustion gases into the home. Annual cleaning removes the restriction.
Insurance compliance
Some homeowner policies now require documented annual dryer vent maintenance — especially on long-run installations. Our service receipt is the documentation.
What we look for while we clean.
Compromised duct material
Vinyl 'slinky' flex hose is no longer code-legal and routinely melts under restricted airflow. We identify it, document it, and recommend replacement with rigid aluminum or semi-rigid foil duct.
Excessive run length
Code limits dryer vent runs to 25 feet for 4-inch duct, with 5-foot deductions per 90° elbow. Many older homes exceed this. We document and recommend a booster fan or rerouting where appropriate.
Bird and rodent intrusion
Exterior vent hoods without proper backdraft dampers become nesting sites. We extract the obstructions, sanitize, and install a louver-backdraft hood that closes when the dryer is off.
Crushed or kinked sections
Behind-the-dryer crush damage is the most common find. We document, straighten where possible, and recommend the right transition piece if replacement is needed.
When to book a dryer vent cleaning.
Any single sign on this list is worth a phone call. Two or more is worth booking an inspection this week.
What a dryer vent cleaning actually looks like.
Assess and protect
We move the dryer, drop-cloth the floor, and inspect the connection points. Vent hood photographed before any work begins. Total time on the prep: about 10 minutes.
Clean both directions
Rotational brush from the interior pulled through the entire run, then from the exterior hood pushed back through. HEPA vacuum on the open end of the duct continuously. Every flake captured.
Test and report
Anemometer reading on the airflow before and after. Reseal any compromised joints with foil tape. Reinstall the dryer. Photographed before/after lint volume in your written report.
Bundle the dryer vent with your annual chimney service.
Most North Bay homes that have a wood-burning chimney also have a dryer vent that has never been cleaned. We bundle both services on the same visit at a meaningful savings vs. booking separately. Ask about it when you call.
Dryer Vent Cleaning — frequently asked.
Most cleanings run 45-75 minutes — longer for runs that exceed 20 feet or have multiple elbows. We do not rush; we clean.
Often booked together.
Chimney Inspections
CSIA Level 1, 2, and 3 inspections — the certified baseline every wood-burning home needs.
Chimney Sweeping
Deep mechanical sweep that pulls Stage 1, 2, and 3 creosote out of the flue system.
Gutter Cleaning
Full debris removal and downspout flush before the rains hit.
Book a dryer vent cleaning before the next load.
Annual service, written report, fixed pricing. Most North Bay homes scheduled within a week.