Dryer Vent Cleaning in Milpitas, CA

Why does a clogged dryer vent matter?

The dryer vent is the pipe that carries hot, damp air and lint from the dryer to the outside of your home. Even if you clean the lint filter every load, small bits of lint get past it and slowly build up inside the vent.

That buildup matters for two reasons:

• Fire safety. Lint is flammable. The U.S. Fire Administration says you are at higher risk of a clothes dryer fire if you don’t clean the lint filter and dryer vents, and it lists failure to clean as the leading factor in home clothes dryer fires from 2018 to 2020, at 31%.
• A dryer that works harder. When air can’t get out, the dryer runs longer and hotter to dry the same load. That uses more energy and adds wear on the machine.

What are the signs my dryer vent is clogged?

• Clothes come out damp, or loads take longer to dry than they used to.
• The dryer or the laundry room gets very hot while it runs.
• You notice a burning smell when the dryer is on.
• Lint builds up around the dryer, behind it or at the outside vent.
• The flap on the outside vent cover doesn’t open when the dryer is running.

If you smell burning, stop the dryer and don’t use it again until the vent has been checked.

How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?

We suggest having the dryer vent cleaned about once a year. Have it checked sooner if you notice any of the signs above, if you do a lot of laundry, or if you have just moved in and don’t know when it was last cleaned.

What happens during a dryer vent cleaning?

1. A look at the vent. The technician checks where your vent runs, from the back of the dryer to where it exits the house, and confirms the price before any work begins.
2. Clearing the lint. We clean the lint and debris out of the vent so air can flow freely again.
3. Checking the parts you can’t see. We look for a vent that is crushed, torn or disconnected behind the dryer, and check that the outside cover opens.
4. What we found. If something needs attention, we explain it and your options. Nothing extra is done without your OK.

How much does dryer vent cleaning cost?

Service	Price
Dryer vent cleaning, standard: one story, a vent run up to 15 feet that we can reach from outside (stackable washer-dryers included)	$130
Dryer vent cleaning, two-story home or townhouse, where the vent exits a wall and needs a ladder	$175
Air duct cleaning, up to 10 vents (return vents count)	$399
Each extra duct vent over 10	$15

Comfort Club members get 15% off dryer vent and air duct cleaning. You can add air duct cleaning to the same visit.

What can I do between dryer vent cleanings?

These tips come from the U.S. Fire Administration’s clothes dryer fire safety flyer:

• Never run the dryer without the lint filter, and clean it before and after each load.
• Clean the area behind the dryer, where lint can build up.
• Check that the vent behind the dryer isn’t damaged, crushed or blocked.
• Make sure the outside vent cover opens when the dryer runs.
• Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.

If you have a gas dryer, test your carbon monoxide detectors twice a year. If you ever smell gas, leave the home and call PG&E or 911.

I highly recommend Upgrade Home Services. Victor is fair, knowledgable, affordable, and provides very professional customer support.

Dawn S., Google review

Who cleans dryer vents in Milpitas and nearby cities?

Upgrade Home Services is a family-owned HVAC company based at 743 Ames Ave in Milpitas, licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB #1066776) and serving homeowners since 2002. Along with dryer vents, we clean air ducts and service heating and cooling systems. We work across 22 cities in Santa Clara, San Mateo and southern Alameda counties, including Milpitas, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Fremont and Newark.