A. Our cleaning process usually consists of 1) getting set up on the inside, 2) doing the bulk of the cleaning from the outside, and 3) finishing up on the inside. We use a rod-and-brush cleaning method in conjunction with a blower. There are a few approaches available, but we find this to be the most effective means of getting out all of the debris (especially when you consider the presence of things such as densely compacted lint, nesting material, and dead birds).

Our dryer vent cleanings will typically include the cleaning of the following components:

• the outside termination cover
• the main duct
• the transition duct
• the duct protruding from the back of the dryer
• the back of the accessible appliance area (including the back, floor, and wall)
• the lint screen
• the lint trap (cursory vacuuming)

A. No, these are two separate services. We recommend having your dryer vent system cleaned annually and having your dryer appliance cleaned out every 3 - 5 years by an appliance repair person.

A. No. The inside is left cleaner than how it was upon arrival and the outside is cleaned up as much as possible to leave it looking good.

A. Usually a cleaning takes about an hour or so, give or take about 15 minutes.

A. Usually a cleaning takes about an hour or so, give or take about 15 minutes.

• FEMA's report titled, "Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings (2008-2010)" in their Topical Fire Report Series (here).
• FEMA's handout titled, "Clothes Dryer Fire Safety" (here).
• The NFPA's handout is titled, "Clothes Dryer Safety" (here).
• UL's article about improving fire containment standards for electric dryers (here).
• In-O-Vate Technologies, Inc.'s helpful "dryer venting tips and practices" (here).​

A. No, we do not service air ducts. Air ducts and dryer vents are each their own animal, and to have either serviced well, it is best to have each serviced by a certified specialist in that field. Basic evidence of how these fields differ is evidenced through the International Residential Code's (IRC) separate categorization of dryer vents (within IRC Chapter 15, "Exhaust Systems") from air ducts (under IRC Chapter 16, "Duct Systems"). Hiring a specialist for the work to be done means finding someone who is well-versed in the relevant processes, code, standards and best practices, as well as ensuring the best results for your money.

Another consideration regarding air duct cleaning is that it isn't clear how beneficial the service is. Unlike dryer vent cleaning, the benefit of having your air ducts cleaned appears limited and debatable. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the correlation between air duct cleanliness and health and air quality is inconclusive:

“Duct cleaning has never been shown to prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts.”

We don't discourage air duct cleaning, but we do advise you to be informed about it. It may in fact be best to err on the side of caution and get your air ducts cleaned every 3 - 5 years, however, it is important to note the EPA's conclusions (here).

If you do decide to have your air ducts cleaned, we recommend choosing a contractor that is certified with the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA, also check out their guide here), has substantial work experience, and is well-reviewed online. Additionally, Angie's List has a useful article (here).