Lint buildup inside a dryer vent pipe
This is the inside of a metal dryer vent pipe before we cleaned it, its walls caked with grey lint and the opening narrowed. Hot, wet air has to squeeze through what’s left, so loads take longer and the dryer runs hotter.
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From one of our jobs
Grey lint caked on every side of the pipe
Right now: Run the dryer and feel the air at the outside flap. Weak or no airflow means stop drying and get the vent cleaned.
The lint trap catches most of it, not all of it. The rest sticks to the walls of the vent, layer on layer, until the pipe is a fraction of its size. Lint burns easily, and a hot dryer pushing into a packed vent is the setup for a dryer fire.
If a load of towels now takes two cycles, or the laundry room gets hot and humid when the dryer runs, look at the vent first.
Quick answers
What people ask about dryer vent lint
How do I know if my dryer vent is clogged?
Clothes need two cycles, the dryer or laundry room gets hot, there’s a burning smell, or the flap outside barely opens when the dryer runs.
Can a clogged dryer vent cause a fire?
Yes. Lint burns easily, and a clogged vent traps heat right where the lint is. It’s a leading cause of house fires that start in the laundry room.
How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
Once a year for most homes, more often for long runs, roof vents or a big family’s laundry.
Who cleans dryer vents in Northern Virginia?
Call SwiftPro at (703) 997-9757. We clean the whole run, dryer to outside, and check the airflow before we leave.
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What it costs
What we charge to clean your dryer vent
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SwiftPro Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
4230 Lafayette Center Dr N, Chantilly, VA 20151
44679 Endicott Dr, Suite 211, Ashburn, VA 20147
SwiftPro Plumber & Water Heaters
4200 Lafayette Center Dr, Suite N, Chantilly, VA 20151
Virginia Class A contractor license #2705192276