Dryer Vent Cleaning in Atlanta, GA
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Step 1 of 3: Equipment
Cold vents catch more lint
Your dryer pushes out warm, damp air every time it runs. From November through April, that air is hitting vent walls that are cold, sometimes on nights averaging 35°F. The moisture in the exhaust cools fast against the cold metal, and lint sticks to those damp walls instead of blowing straight out.
Over a winter, that buildup narrows the vent. Air moves slower, more moisture stays trapped inside, and more lint catches on its way through. A vent that was clear in the fall can be tight by spring.
- 35°F
- the average winter night, and cold vents catch damp lint
- 6 months
- November through April, the vent stays cold
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NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020 normals
- How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
- Once a year for most households. If you run large loads often, or if the vent run is long, check it more than once a year. Lint builds up along the inside of the duct no matter how clean the lint trap looks, and that buildup is what a yearly cleaning removes.
- Can I clean my dryer vent myself?
- You can clean the first few feet near the dryer yourself, but most of the vent run is out of reach. The duct usually runs several feet through a wall or ceiling to an outside vent hood, and lint collects the whole way. A contractor uses a brush and vacuum made for the full length of the duct, which reaches what you cannot.
- What are the signs of a clogged dryer vent?
- Clothes that take longer than one cycle to dry, a dryer that feels hot to the touch on the outside, and a burning smell during a cycle are the main signs. Check the outside vent hood too. If the flap barely moves or you feel weak airflow when the dryer is running, lint is blocking the duct.