More than a third of home dryer fires are caused by clogged, dirty vents. This is such a common problem that the U.S. Fire Administration has dedicated outreach designed to teach homeowners to practice fire safety. One of their recommendations is regular vent cleaning by a professional. This ensures a thorough cleaning that eliminates the fire risk, which can’t be guaranteed when you use an at-home cleaning kit yourself.

When your dryer vent is clogged, you may be able to see the built-up lint and debris in the vent. It can be tempting to reach in and remove it yourself, but it’s important to have the cleaning done professionally. The ducting in your home is often long and winding, and special tools such as an airline are needed to reach deep into the vent, especially into the corners and bends. Having flexible ducts in your home makes cleaning even more difficult.

Seasoned vent cleaners often see DIY tools and brushes stuck inside the vents, left there from homeowners trying to clean the area themselves. Professional residential dryer vent cleaning will thoroughly clean out your vent in one visit and will give you all the benefits associated with a newly clean vent. Once the lint and dust blocking the vent is removed, your dryer can function normally again.