Dryer Vent Cleaning in Lacey, WA
Tell us about your home, and a licensed contractor who covers Thurston County will get in touch.
Tell us about the job
It takes about a minute.
Step 1 of 3: Equipment
Lint sticks fast in a cold vent
Your dryer pushes out warm, damp air every load. Lacey winter nights average 34°F, and that vent runs through cold space before it reaches outside. The air cools fast, moisture beads up on the walls of the duct, and lint sticks to it instead of blowing clear.
That buildup narrows the vent a little more each month. Less air gets out, so it takes longer for clothes to dry, and the exhaust that does not escape carries heat and moisture back into the house.
- 34°F
- the average winter night, and cold vents catch damp lint
- 10 months
- September through June, the vent stays cold
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020 normals
- How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
- Once a year is the standard most manufacturers recommend. Households that dry more loads, like a larger family or one that dries towels and bedding often, should have it checked sooner. A vent that is slow to clear when it's cleaned is a sign the interval was too long.
- Can I clean my dryer vent myself?
- You can clean the part you can reach, but that is usually just the first few feet behind the dryer. Most vent runs go through a wall or up through the roof, and lint collects at the bends and at the outside hood where you cannot see it. A shop vac and a brush kit handle light buildup near the dryer, but a full vent, especially a long or bent one, needs a rod system or a truck-mounted vacuum to clear it end to end.
- What are the signs of a clogged dryer vent?
- Clothes that take more than one cycle to dry, a dryer that runs hot to the touch on the outside, and a burning smell during the cycle are the main ones. 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 path. A clogged vent also traps more heat inside the dryer, which is what causes that hot cabinet and the smell.