How To Clean Exterior Dryer Vent In Etobicoke?

Home care is the idea that homeowners like the least. One of the most important household chores is how to clean exterior dryer vent, but it tends to get forgotten, especially in Etobicoke.

The city undergoes some radical seasonal changes that not only have an impact on life in general, but can also lead to clogged dryer vents

Therefore, in today’s article we will understand how to clean your dryer vent properly with a minimum of time and energy used, while keeping safety intact. We will also discuss the benefits of going to a professional cleaning company, especially if you are a senior citizen in need of such a service.

Read more about How Often To Clean Dryer Vent In Etobicoke.

Importance of Dryer Vent Cleaning

You may think that cleaning your dryer vent is a small and almost irrelevant task, however, that couldn’t be further from the truth. And that’s because, if your dryer vent is clogged, it leads to higher utility bills. 

Also, it’s possible that your clothes may take longer to dry or your items come out hotter than expected. Both of these cases are signs that it’s time to clean your vent.

Ignoring dryer vent cleaning is a major fire hazard. Because, the lint that originates from the dryer is a highly flammable substance and if not removed over time, it can build up and coat the entire vent. When this lint mixes with the hot air from the dryer, it can be a very dangerous situation. 

Believe it or not, dryer fires due to lint buildup are more common than you might think and can be prevented with constant vent cleaning.

Keeping the vent in good condition means your dryer will last longer. After all, if an appliance is working too hard, it can wear out before its time. Clean the vent to ensure that your dryer runs smoothly for years to come.

Gather Your Tools And Materials

You will need the necessary tools and materials to complete the cleaning process. If you are going to do it yourself, you will need these things.

• Screwdriver: flat head or Phillips head, depending on the vent cap.
• Vent brush kits: kits are available at most hardware stores and consist of long brushes made to reach and clean the vent duct without any problems.
• Vacuum cleaner: use a vacuum cleaner with an attachment to clean lint and debris that may be in the duct.
• Safety equipment: wear gloves to protect your hands and a dust mask to prevent any contaminants from entering your respiratory tract.
• Duct tape: to reattach loose vent connections that have come loose over time. (You can also get help by Handyman Services in Etobicoke)

These tools allow you to be prepared for any obstacles that may arise during cleaning.

Location of The External Duct of The Dryer

We hope these tips will help you find the outside dryer vent.

The first thing you need to do is locate where the vent exits the house. It is common in Etobicoke homes, which is located on an outside wall near the laundry area. But, the location will also depend on how your house is laid out.

Look around your house and look for a louvered or slatted vent cover. Some homes may have vents higher on the walls, while others may be closer to the ground.

Because of this, it is very important to check exactly where in your home the dryer vent is located and check to see if it needs cleaning or not. Check your blueprints or hire a professional if you can’t easily locate the vent. 

Keep in mind that vents in a less usual location or checking some older homes will probably require professional work.

Cleaning of the Area

When you find the vent, be prepared to clean it. Start by removing any vegetation or garden furniture around the vent. This means you’ll have plenty of room to start working and, hopefully, less chance of accidents.

Turn the dryer off and unplug it. This is very important for safety, as you don’t want the dryer running while you clean the vent. Also, unplugging the dryer from the power supply allows you to move the dryer so that you have better access to the inside and outside of the vent.

Finally, place a tarp or old sheet on the floor to catch lint and debris that may fall during cleaning. This facilitates the cleanup process and aids in maintaining a clutter-free yard and house.

Removing The Ventilation Duct Cover

Now that the area has cleared you can remove your vent cover. Covers are usually screwed on with screws, so carefully unscrew all of them with a screwdriver. Keep the screws well, you will use them to reattach the cover.

With minimal force, pull the cover off the wall, being careful not to damage the vent grille or surrounding liner. If the cover is stuck, it could be due to lint or other debris. If so, apply a little pressure with a flat-blade screwdriver to pry it off.

Inspect the cover for signs of damage once it is removed. If it has cracks or is broken, consider buying a new one. A broken cover can allow pests and dirt to enter, negating the effort you put into cleaning it.

Ventilation Duct Cleaning

Now comes the real task, which is to clean the vent and ducts. Using the dryer vent brush, insert it into the opening and carefully twist it to dislodge and pull out all the lint. Push the brush in as far as it will go and pull it out again, pulling out as much lint as possible. Repeat this operation several times until the brush comes out clean.

Then vacuum up any remaining lint in and around the vent. If necessary, add a hose extension to reach further into the duct. Don’t forget that a small amount of lint will be enough to significantly decrease the efficiency of your dryer, so be sure to remove as much lint as possible.

If you have a particularly persistent clog, try using a leaf blower inside the vent to blow debris out of the dryer interior. Turn on your leaf blower and carefully blow the air through the vent to further loosen the lint and blow it outside. Make sure no one is near the vent when you do this.

Reassembling And Securing The Ventilation Duct

Now that the grate and duct are clean, it’s time to put everything back in place. 

• The first thing to do is to replace the vent cover: place it over the vent opening you just uncovered and reattach it with the screws you set aside. Make sure it is securely in place because if there are gaps, debris and even pests could get in.
• Go inside and inspect the connections between the dryer and the vent. Check that the duct is securely connected to both the dryer and the wall vent. Use duct tape to secure loose connections to prevent air leaks that will decrease efficiency.
• Plug the dryer back in and set it in place. Check the air flow by running a short cycle to confirm that everything is working properly. You should see faster drying times and less heat buildup in the laundry room.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

This also applies to cleaning the dryer vent, as it should be done as part of your regular home maintenance. Experts recommend cleaning the vent at least once a year, but more often if you use your dryer often.

Add it to your calendar as a reminder to check and clean the vent every 6-12 months. Regular maintenance can give your dryer a longer life and prevent any risk of problems or fire.

You can combine vent cleaning with other home maintenance tasks you perform each season, such as changing HVAC filters or checking smoke detectors. Ultimately, this contributes to a comprehensive home care regimen that keeps everything in perfect working order.

Identification of Warning Signs of Future Problems

Even if you always clean your dryer vent regularly, some problems may still arise. Some common signs are that the drying time is longer, it may smell burnt when the dryer is on, or it’s too hot in your laundry room. These are signs that your vent is clogged or damaged and needs urgent maintenance.

You can also tell if you notice that your energy bills are going up, but the amount of time and number of drying loads haven’t changed, this shows you that the dryer is having to work harder than before. If you notice this, it’s a sign that you need to inspect for blockages or damage to the venting and ductwork.

Taking care of these problems as soon as possible helps prevent additional problems and keeps your dryer running safely. But performing all of these tasks can be very difficult for an older person, so it’s always good to have the support of experienced professionals.

Why Choose a Professional Service to Clean Your Dryer Vent? 

Opting for a professional dryer vent cleaning service has several benefits, especially if you are older and no longer have the energy to do these jobs: 

• First, professionals are better equipped and more experienced to perform a proper cleaning. As a result, they can remove lint buildup and other debris that might escape your attention during any home cleaning. 
• Experts can uncover and correct potential problems, such as damage or structural irregularities that affect the dryer’s efficiency. 
• Finally, by opting for a professional, you’ll not only improve dryer performance, but also increase home safety by reducing the risk of fire and ensuring the appliance’s proper operation. 

Read also, Eco-Friendly Methods to Keep Your Home Clean In Canada

How to Choose The Best Dryer Vent Cleaning Service? 

If you have decided to hire a professional service to clean your dryer vent, I recommend that you choose carefully and take surveys of some factors that are important such as: 

• Experience: Investigate that the company has proven experience in ventilation duct cleaning.
• Certifications: look for companies that have proper certification and training in duct cleaning.
• Equipment and techniques used: ask about the methods and tools they use to perform the cleaning and make sure they are safe and effective.
• Pricing: Compare rates for different services to get an idea of the average cost and avoid prices that are too low, as they may indicate unprofessional or incomplete service.
• Reviews from previous customers: search for online reviews and get references directly from the company to learn about customers’ previous experiences with the service.

At Custodia, we have all of these features and many more. We have special plans that will help you take care of your money, especially if you are an elderly person living in Etobicoke. 

Our company not only cares about providing you with quality service, but also wants you to have a safe and comfortable home. In addition, we also have secure payment methods and we are available whenever you need us.

Contact us and get your first professional dryer vent cleaning!