Dryer Vent Cleaning and Safety
Dryer vent fires are one of the most preventable household fire hazards in Ontario homes — the Ontario Fire Marshal identifies dryer fires as a significant residential fire cause, and virtually all of them are caused by lint accumulation in vents that were not cleaned regularly. A clogged dryer vent is both a fire hazard and a significant energy efficiency problem.
How Dryer Vents Clog
Every load of laundry produces lint — the dryer's lint trap catches the majority of it, but a percentage passes through into the vent duct. Over time, this lint accumulates on the interior walls of the vent duct, particularly at bends and transitions. As the duct narrows with accumulation, airflow is restricted. Reduced airflow means: longer drying times, higher energy consumption, the dryer running hotter than designed (the primary fire ignition mechanism), and moisture that can't exhaust building up inside the duct.
How Often to Clean
Annual dryer vent cleaning is the standard recommendation for Ontario homes. Homes with high laundry volume (large families, households with pets), longer vent runs, or vents with multiple bends should clean every 6 months. Signs it's overdue: clothes taking more than one cycle to dry, dryer exterior getting very hot to the touch, burning smell during operation, or visible lint around the exterior vent cap.
DIY vs Professional
For short, straight vent runs (under 3 metres), a dryer vent brush kit (available at hardware stores) is adequate for DIY cleaning. For longer runs, multiple bends, or vents that exit through the roof, professional cleaning with a rotary brush system is safer and more thorough. Professional vent cleaning in Ontario typically runs $100–$175.