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Indoor Air Specialists,
LLC

Dryer Vent Cleaning
How often do vents need cleaning?
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IAS, LLC recommends that dryer vents are
routinely cleaned at a minimum every 12 - 18 months (sooner in commercial
applications). The better a dryer vent blows, the less lint builds up in
it. Short vents blow better than long ones. Full size dryers blow better
than smaller stack dryers or older dryers. Vents with a lot of turns and
elbows blow worse and build up more lint and require more frequent
cleaning (i.e. once a year). |
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Are dirty vents a fire hazard?
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A clogged vent can cause a dryer to run
significantly hotter and consequently increases the probability of a
fire. There are many factors that contribute statistically to dryer vent
fires in the US – lint filled vents are one of the primary factors in the
chain of events that lead up to a fire scenario. Other fire starting
factors are as follows: failure of electronic devices - thermostats and
limiter switches in the dryer, accumulation of lint inside the dryer,
missing or damaged lint screens, and a crushed hose behind the dryer
(often found during preliminary fire investigations). Newspaper articles
& magazines sometimes exaggerate fire hazards - but many fire departments
and insurance companies recommend that dryer vents be inspected and
cleaned regularly. |
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How does IAS, LLC clean dryer vents?
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We perform two types of cleaning:
"Routine Maintenance Cleaning” and "Problem (Clogged Vents,
etc.) Cleaning":
1. Routine Maintenance Cleaning: All dryer vents are cleaned from
the outside using a patented rotary brush and integrated vacuum
which utilizes a commercial HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum
system (99.97% efficient down to .3 of a micron). The circular brush
system effectively loosens lint, particulate dust, debris, bird nests,
etc. sending it to the outside, where we collect it in 6-mil poly bags.
The brush can navigate normally around 1-2 corners, cleaning the flexible
hose behind the dryer. No lint enters the dryer or residence. Following
use of the rotary brush the flex hose is HEPA vacuumed to capture the
residual particulate dust/lint. Routine maintenance cleaning is usually
performed within a 14-18 month time period on small-large residential
homes, apartments and condominiums; once a year in commercial
environments.
2. Problem (Clogged Vents, etc.) Cleaning is performed when
commercial operations/households are experiencing major problems (bird
nests, clogging, etc. in the vents) and/or the dryer is not drying clothes
fast enough. IAS, LLC will disconnect and pull the dryer out from the
wall and blow, brush, vacuum and/or dismantle the primary duct/flex duct -
whatever it takes to get the vent clean.
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