Most of us know to clean out the lint trap on our dryer after every load of laundry, but did you know that lint can build up in your dryer vent, causing a fire risk? Dryer vents are the hoses that come out of the back of your dryer and filter hot air and moisture out of your condo. Without proper maintenance, lint and debris in your vent can build up, restrict airflow, and even catch fire, putting you and your neighbors at risk.
As your premier Colorado Springs dryer vent cleaning company, Planet Duct’s highly trained technicians use top-of-the-line equipment to clean and sanitize your dryer vent. We also inspect your dryer vent for safety and will notify you of any maintenance concerns. Condo dryer vent cleaning often requires specialized equipment. Improper cleaning can cause damage that is costly to repair, so trust your local professionals at Planet Duct for your dryer vent cleaning needs.
Benefits of Condo Dryer Vent Cleaning
Maintaining your condo dryer vent can save you money, not to mention the health and safety benefits. Regular cleanings provide:
- Increased energy efficiency- When too much lint builds up in the dryer vent, it restricts airflow, causing your clothes to dry more slowly. The harder your dryer has to work, the higher your electricity bill will be at the end of the month.
- Decreased risk of fire – According to the National Fire Protection Association, 92% of home structure fires were caused by clothes dryers, and about 30% of those were the result of dust or lint catching fire in the dryer. Though these numbers aren’t specific to condos, we can assume that condos with in-unit washers and dryers share that risk.
- Appliance longevity – Cleaning your dryer vents regularly reduces wear and tear on your dryer, preventing it from clogging or overheating. In addition, professionals who offer dryer cleaning services often catch other maintenance issues before they cause long-term damage.
Now that we’ve covered the benefits, how often do you need to have your dryer cleaned? You should clean your condo dryer vent at least once a year. Depending on how often you use your dryer, it can vary. Call a professional immediately if you notice any lint build-up, that your clothes are taking longer to dry, or notice a burning smell while your clothes are drying.
How to Clean a Condo Dryer Vent
There are two ways to clean a dryer vent. You can purchase a DIY dryer vent cleaning kit or pay for a dryer vent cleaning service. We recently wrote a blog about why we recommend hiring a professional, which you can read here. Condos present some additional challenges for the DIY-er. When you hire a professional, they will typically clean the opening of the vent with specialty brushes. They will also check the rest of the vent for blockages, suction out debris, and sanitize the vent.
In a single-family home, the vent is usually only a few feet long and vents directly outside of your laundry room, making it easier to clean yourself. In a condo, your dryer likely vents out of the roof, and in older buildings, multiple dryers can feed into a single vent, increasing the likelihood of blockages.
To effectively clean this type of vent requires specialty equipment that the average DIY-er will not have access to. If you want to use a cleaning kit in between professional cleanings, you can. Just be sure to choose the right brushes for your vent or you can cause damage.
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Who is Responsible for Dryer Vent Cleaning in Condos?
Condos are usually governed by an HOA and are also a popular choice among long-term renters, so who is responsible for dryer vent cleanings? It depends on whether you own or rent, and whether your HOA regulates cleanings. Some HOAs require dryer vent cleanings every year or two. In this case, they will usually book a professional dryer vent cleaning service and the cost will be included in your HOA fees.
If your HOA doesn’t regulate cleanings and you own the condo, you will want to book a dryer vent cleaning independently to ensure your safety and the safety of the building. In the event that you share a dryer vent with other units, you can ask your neighbors to split the cost with you.
If you rent the condo, your landlord should cover the cost of the dryer vent cleaning under Colorado habitability laws. These laws require the landlord to make sure that the residence does not put the health or safety of their tenants at risk. Regardless of whether you own or rent, make sure that you know who is responsible for ensuring regular dryer vent cleanings. If no one is currently maintaining the vents, take steps to solve the issue.
Condo Dryer Vent Cleaning Services with Planet Duct
Don’t put your health and safety at risk. If you don’t know when your dryer vent was cleaned last, contact Planet Duct today.
We will come to assess your vent and perform any necessary cleaning and maintenance. Planet Duct’s highly-trained technicians use the best HVAC equipment available to service your dryer vents, giving you peace of mind while ensuring your safety and appliance efficiency. To learn more about dryer vent cleaning visit our service page.
