A growing number of customers are requesting dryer vent cleaning.  Both commercial and residential vent cleaning, if done properly, can be a very beneficial and profitable service.

In most cases for commercial applications the building would have a straight vertical shaft and usually the branch lines are a short distance away from the riser.  Almost all of the time, the major blockages are at the bottom of the riser.  Due to gravity much of the lint drops to the bottom, blocking any branch lines that might be there.  Branch lines being used below or before the blockage will only add moisture to the existing blockage material making it harder to remove.  If the technician first removes the blockage at the bottom, it will usually create a good draft through the riser, allowing a top to bottom cleaning.

The type of access at the ends of the horizontal discharge ducts or bottom of the risers determines what type of equipment should be used.  Outside wall discharge would allow the use of gas powered machines with disposable bags making clean up a quick job.  Shafts in internal areas of a building with limited access would be more likely to need HEPA filtered particle collection units, which will require frequent pre-filter cleaning or replacement.

PVC Tee-Y in various sizes are easily attached to any round duct making one equipment hook up at one end and an entry location for brushes or air whips, etc.

In some states, certain facilities (hospitals, nursing homes, etc.) are required to have the dryer exhaust ducts cleaned twice annually due to the potential fire hazard.  Dryer fires are rarely inside the exhaust duct, but occur in the lower section of the dryer because the blockage causes the dryer to work two to three times longer, overheating the lower section of the dryer.  The extensive heat can ignite the lint in the area.  This is a real, but unseen danger.  In one instance, one of our salespersons was called in to estimate the cleaning of dryer exhaust system in an elder care facility.  The management declined the proposal due to cost ($600.00).  Two months later over 100 patients had to be evacuated due to a dryer fire that started beneath the dryer.  The damage was extensive and costly.  The $600.00 would have been well spent.

The recommendation for routine cleaning of commercial and residential dryer ducts should be discussed with the customer.  Educating the client about the safety issues involved in proper dryer maintenance will usually result with callbacks throughout the year.

BACK