Question 1

My clothes take so long to dry, I think my dryer is broken. Could it just be my dryer vent?

Accepted Answer

Many people blame their dryer's inefficiency on the actual dryer, but most of the time it is their dryer exhaust vent that is causing the problem. Even with proper lint trap maintenance, a lot of lint and debris is routinely expelled through the exhaust vent. Over time, buildup occurs, restricting airflow. Dirty or clogged vents don't allow the hot air and moisture to escape efficiently, causing it to take longer to dry a load of laundry. This not only wastes your time, it also causes unnecessary wear and tear on your appliance.

Question 2

How often does my dryer vent need to be cleaned?

Accepted Answer

Major appliance manufacturers recommend having a professional inspect and clean your dryer vent at least once every year. However, cleaning intervals vary depending on many factors. An honest recommendation is every 1-3 years depending on: The age of your dryer. If it is more than 10 years old it may need to be cleaned more often. A vent that has several bends or elbows will collect more lint than a straight run. A full-size dryer has better flow than a compact or stackable dryer. If you are using the dryer a lot, it will need to be cleaned more often. Dryer vents that are 5 feet or fewer in length will not need to be cleaned as often as a dryer vent that has a length of 15 feet or more. The longer the vent, the more it will build up with lint. The National Fire Protection Association recommends “once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry, clean lint out of the vent pipe or have a dryer lint removal service do it for you.” Vents in multi-unit buildings or commercial properties may require more frequent cleaning.

Question 3

Can I clean my dryer vent myself?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in some cases you can. If the dryer vent is short (4 feet or fewer) and straight, you may be able to clean it yourself. There are also kits sold at some home improvement stores for a DIY cleaning. We have heard mixed reviews on those kits. Sometimes people have good luck with them, other times people have spent hours trying to get it to work only to have the kit break while trying to clean their vent. Then they call us to remove the broken kit from the system and complete the cleaning.

Question 4

Are dryer fires common? What do I need to do to prevent a dryer fire?

Accepted Answer

According to the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System, there are approximately 15,500 dryer fires every year, resulting in as many as 34 deaths, 430 injuries, and $209 million in property damages. In order to protect your home from a dryer fire, we recommend having your vents cleaned and inspected at least once a year. If you notice any warning signs reach out to us ASAP. Excessive Lint: Do you have lint on your clothing, behind your dryer, or in the door seal? Excessive lint can be a warning sign that your dryer vent needs to be cleaned and maintained. Overheating/Shut Off: A clogged dryer vent can lead to your dryer overworking and overheating. To prevent fires, your dryer may be warning you by shutting down. Burning, Musty or Unwanted Odors: Burning odors can indicate the need for cleaning. Musty odors could indicate a clogged/dirty vent. When the humid air from your laundry cannot make it outdoors, the water will collect in the vent, soaking the lint inside. If you notice a musty smell or other unusual odors indoors when your dryer is running, it can indicate a disconnect or leak along the vent, letting the air exhaust back into your home. This can lead to moldy odors from the humidity, and poor indoor air quality from the chemicals in detergents and fabric softeners exhausting indoors. Long Drying Times: Restricted air flow causes trapped moisture in your dryer, resulting in longer drying times. This is a warning sign that your dryer vent could be obstructed.

Question 5

Why is Mama Bear Dryer Vent Cleaning the best choice?

Accepted Answer

Our technicians are CDET® certified and professionally trained in dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent rerouting, and dryer vent repairs. Hiring a CSIA-Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician (CDET®) means you’re trusting your home and family to someone who has spent countless hours studying for an extensive exam, covering everything from the proper inspection and maintenance of dryer vents to the applicable codes and standards relating to these systems. 
We started this business to bring back an old-fashioned, top-notch customer service experience. We provide honest, punctual service, use state-of-the-art equipment, and provide transparent flat-rate pricing. 
We're insured through Berkshire Hathaway for your peace of mind, including Workers' Compensation insurance.

Question 6

How long does it take to clean the dryer vent?

Accepted Answer

Most of our residential dryer vent cleaning take one to two hours, depending on the location of the exterior vent.

Question 7

Do I need to do anything to prepare to have my vent cleaned?

Accepted Answer

It is helpful if you remove all clothing from the dryer and can remove anything on or around the dryer and laundry area, so our technicians have clear access to inspect and clean your vent efficiently and thoroughly. We will need to turn the dryer on during the cleaning process.

Question 8

What are the warning signs of a clogged dryer vent?

Accepted Answer

The time it takes to dry your laundry. You may not have noticed the slow creep up in drying time as your vent becomes dirty or clogged. If your dryer vent is taking longer than normal to dry a load of laundry that often means the vent needs to be cleaned. We routinely see airflow measurements double after a thorough cleaning, meaning the humid air is being vented outdoors at a faster pace, which speeds up drying time. Excess lint. Excessive lint left on your clothes or behind the dryer is an indicator of a clogged dryer vent. If you see lint accumulating anywhere along the exhaust vent, that indicates a disconnection or poor seal around connection points, which we can repair. Check the exterior vent while the dryer is running. If you see little to no lint being expelled, or if the flaps don’t open, there’s a good chance the vent is blocked. Overheating: Clothes feel hotter than usual at the end of a cycle and/or top of dryer feels hot to the touch. Overheating is a common symptom of poor airflow caused by a clogged vent. Dryers that struggle with airflow tend to run hotter, which can wear out the heating element and other critical components more quickly. Burning smell. When lint gets too hot, it can start to burn. If you notice a burning smell when running your dryer, turn it off immediately - it could be a sign of a serious clog or buildup. Error Codes: Some new dryers have sensors to alert homeowners when the vent becomes clogged or overloaded. If you see a D80 or D90 error code, give us a call to get your dryer back to optimal performance. Musty odor during or after running the dryer. It's easy to forget how much water is leaving your clothes and has to evaporate somewhere. When the exhaust vent is clogged and the humid air cannot vent outside, it will collect in the trapped lint creating a soggy mess. Also, it is common for transitions along the exhaust vent to become disconnected, allowing humid air to vent into the home along with pollutants from detergents and fabric softeners. Water in the vent. Customers are often shocked when they see water coming out of their dryer vent! They might wonder is this a plumbing problem, a roof leak? Where is the water coming from? Well, when a vent gets clogged, all the moisture from the laundry cannot vent outdoors. The water collects in the clogged lint until it eventually leaks through connection points or pools in the transition hose at the back of the dryer. This can feel like an emergency, but we assure you we can remedy the problem and get your dryer back in operation asap!

Question 9

My dryer vent is broken, disconnected or needs to be rerouted. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Mama Bear Dryer Vent Cleaning specializes in comprehensive dryer vent reroutes and repairs to ensure your dryer operates safely and efficiently. We have the equipment and knowledge to repair dryer vents or completely overhaul dryer exhaust systems to maximize efficiency and safety. We carry specialized tools and equipment for repairing and rerouting ductwork, using InOvate Dryer Products' premium dryer exhaust system products. Most importantly, we pride ourselves in performing top-notch work, treating every home as if we were working on our own home. ​

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