A dryer vent is a separate duct that carries hot, moist air and lint from your clothes dryer to the outside — it has nothing to do with your fireplace flue, though the cleaning skills overlap. Over time lint packs the duct, which makes the dryer work harder, take longer, and run hotter — a genuine fire risk that fire authorities highlight every year. We clear the full run of the duct, not just the lint trap, and check that air is flowing freely to the exterior again.
What homeowners notice
- Clothes taking two cycles or coming out still damp
- The dryer or laundry room getting unusually hot
- A burning smell when the dryer runs
- Lint around the vent opening, or the vent flap not opening
How we diagnose it
- We check the full duct run, not just the lint trap
- We assess how packed the duct is and where buildup concentrates
- We confirm air flows freely to the exterior after cleaning
- We note duct problems — crushed sections, long runs, poor termination — that reduce airflow
Your options — and their limits
Full duct cleaning
Clearing the lint from the full run of the vent duct and confirming airflow to the outside.
Cleaning plus airflow check
Verifying the exterior vent opens and exhausts freely, and flagging duct issues that need attention.
What affects the price
We don't post flat prices, because an honest number depends on what we actually find. These are the factors that move it:
- Length and layout of the duct run
- How packed the duct is
- Accessibility of the duct and termination
When to stop using the system and get it evaluated
- There's a burning smell when the dryer runs — stop using it until the vent is cleared
- The dryer is overheating or shutting off from heat
How to prepare for the visit
- Run a load beforehand so we can see current airflow, or note recent drying times
- Clear access to the dryer and the vent termination outside
Applies to
Questions homeowners ask
Is my dryer vent connected to my chimney?
No — they're completely separate. The dryer vent carries lint and moist air outside; the chimney flue vents your fireplace. We clean both, but they're different systems doing different jobs.
How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
It depends on use and duct length, but a heavily used dryer or a long duct run benefits from at least yearly cleaning. Slow drying and overheating are the signs it's overdue.
Related services
Chimney Cleaning · Chimney Inspection
Serving South Florida
We provide dryer vent cleaning across Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade. A few of the areas we serve:
Talk to a South Florida chimney technician
Not sure whether it's a cleaning, a repair, or something to look at before your next fire? Tell us what you're noticing and we'll help you figure out the right next step.