Dryer fires are one of the leading causes of home fires in the United States, and failure to clean the vent is the top cause. Lint is extremely flammable, it builds up along the entire vent run, and the long runs through the roof in Olathe, Overland Park and Lenexa subdivisions clog faster than most homeowners expect.
Bison cleans dryer vents end to end with rotary brushes and high-powered vacuum, checks the exterior cap, measures airflow before and after, and tells you if the vent itself is the problem. Most cleanings take under an hour, and same-day service is usually available.
What's included in our dryer vent cleaning
- Dryer pulled out, transition hose disconnected and cleaned
- Full-length rotary brush cleaning of the vent from both ends
- Exterior wall or roof cap cleared and checked for a working flap
- Lint trap housing vacuumed inside the dryer
- Airflow measurement before and after
- Inspection of the vent material and routing, with recommendations if it is unsafe
How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
Once a year for a typical family, and twice a year for large families, long vent runs, or vents that go up through the roof. If your dryer is taking two cycles to dry a load, do not wait for the annual appointment; that is the vent telling you it is blocked.
Why long and roof-terminated vents clog so fast
Building code limits a dryer vent to 35 feet of equivalent length, with each 90-degree elbow counting as five feet. Many homes built in the 1990s and 2000s have laundry rooms in the middle of the house with vents that run 30 or 40 feet up through the roof. Lint falls back down and mats at every elbow, and the roof cap flap sticks. These vents need cleaning every six months, and often need rerouting or a booster fan to be safe.
Foil and plastic hoses: the ones we replace on the spot
White vinyl and thin foil accordion hoses trap lint in their ridges, crush behind the dryer and are not permitted by current code or by dryer manufacturers. We carry rigid and semi-rigid aluminum transitions and replace them during the visit when you approve.
Signs your dryer vent is clogged
- Clothes take more than one cycle to dry
- The dryer and the laundry room feel hot
- A burning smell while the dryer runs
- Lint around the exterior vent cap, or the flap does not open
- The lint trap fills unusually fast or barely at all
- It has been more than a year since the last cleaning
Noticing any of these? Call (913) 555-0100 and we will get you scheduled.
Dryer Vent Cleaning: frequently asked questions
How much does dryer vent cleaning cost?
Dryer vent cleaning is a flat price for standard runs, with a small addition for roof terminations. Bundle it with a chimney sweep or duct cleaning and it is discounted. Call for current pricing.
How long does it take?
Usually 30 to 60 minutes. Roof vents and severely clogged runs can take longer.
Can a clogged dryer vent really cause a fire?
Yes. Lint ignites at a relatively low temperature, and a restricted vent makes the dryer run hotter. The U.S. Fire Administration reports thousands of dryer fires every year, most from lint buildup.
Can you clean a vent that goes through the roof?
Yes. We clean from the dryer end and, when needed, from the roof cap, and we check that the cap flap opens freely.
Where we offer dryer vent cleaning
Based in Overland Park, serving all of Johnson County and the Kansas City metro with no trip fees.
