Dryer Vent Cleaning San Antonio

Dangers of clogged vents

Clothing dryers have been a major appliance found in homes around the country for more than four decades. Many homeowners depend a great deal on these appliances to help provide a more convenient method for completing the task of drying their clean clothing. Unfortunately many times residential property owners do not address the necessity for properly maintaining the dryer vent attached to these appliance units.

Build-up of debris resulting from clothing lint, nesting birds and other materials accumulate over time in the dryer vent causing problems such as reduced air flow to the dryer, backed up dryer exhaust gases and fire hazards. These problems threaten the safety of the home structure as well as the health and well-being of the residents that occupy the premises.

According to the United States Fire Administration National Fire Data Center, clothes dryers are responsible for approximately 15,600 structure fires around the country each year. Eighty percent of these fires are the result of clogged dryer vents in residential buildings. These fires result in 15 deaths and 400 injuries on average around the United States annually. Thousands of other home occupants are treated for symptoms of poisonous gas fumes that back up into the home due to the blocked dryer vents.

Dryer vents can be professionally cleaned by an HVAC specialist and there are companies that specialize in cleaning ductwork and dryer vents. These professionals have the tools and training and reach deep into the dryer vent and clean all debris build-up that occurs along the lining of the ventilation pipes.

During the process of cleaning the dryer vent the professional will first look for an outside dryer vent cap which can be removed. The technician will insert a long vacuum tube and snake brush into the ventilation pipe. The vacuum will be used to eradicate any loose debris within the venting pipe causing blockage.

More solid masses of debris that may be attached to the walls of the ventilation pipe will be scrapped away with the snake brush and then vacuumed out. Technicians will take special care in the elbows and bends throughout the dryer venting pipe as these are problematic areas that can quickly build up with lint and other debris. Ventilation pipes typically range from five feet to forty feet in length depending on where the appliance is located and an outside venting site is installed.

Premium dryer vent cleaning services also provide homeowners with diagnostic testing following the cleaning services. These tests provide results for the amount of pressure which is sent through the vent, the amount of gases that may escape into the home and any unwanted gaps within the ventilation pipe itself. Costs for the clothing dryer ventilation cleaning services will be varied based on the company, the specific length of the dryer venting system, the time required for proper cleaning and various cleaning packages selected.