Laundry room safety

Dryer vent cleaning in Calgary — safer dryer, faster drying, one visit.

Lint buildup in your dryer vent is one of the most common causes of house fires in Canada. Annual cleaning keeps your dryer running efficiently and your home safe.

Request a dryer vent cleaning quote Call (403) 973-5123

Fire risk reduction
Airflow test included
Hose & cap inspection
Calgary, Cochrane, Airdrie

Why dryer vent cleaning matters — especially in Calgary

According to the National Fire Protection Association, dryers and washing machines cause roughly 15,000 house fires per year in North America — and the leading cause is failure to clean the dryer. Lint is highly flammable. When it builds up in the exhaust duct, restricted airflow causes the dryer to run hotter than designed, and over time that heat ignites the accumulated lint.

Calgary-specific issue: many homes here have longer than average vent runs because of how the laundry rooms are positioned — sometimes in the centre of the house, far from an exterior wall. Longer runs trap more lint, especially in any elbows or bends. The exterior vent cap in Calgary also deals with freeze-thaw cycles — flap hinges corrode and the cap can freeze shut in winter, blocking airflow completely.

The signs are easy to miss until drying times start climbing. By the time your clothes take 90 minutes to dry, significant lint has already built up. Annual cleaning keeps drying times normal, extends the life of your dryer and eliminates the fire risk.

What is included in a cleaning visit

Full lint trap housing inspection and cleaning
Accessible vent duct brush-cleaning from dryer to exterior
Airflow measurement before and after cleaning
Dryer hose (flexible duct) inspection — checking for kinks, tears and length
Hose replacement recommendation if foil or plastic duct is found (fire code requires rigid or semi-rigid metal)
Exterior vent cap cleaning — clearing lint from flap and housing
Vent cap flap check — confirming it opens and closes properly
Reconnection and test run after cleaning

How a dryer vent cleaning visit works

Inspect the full run

We check from the lint trap housing to the exterior cap — noting duct material, length, number of bends and the condition of the cap before starting.

Clean and test airflow

The duct is brushed and blown clear. Airflow is checked before and after. If the improvement is minimal, we'll tell you honestly — sometimes a very long or obstructed run needs professional duct cleaning equipment.

Reconnect and run test

Hose is reconnected securely to the dryer and wall. We run a short test cycle and confirm warm air is flowing freely from the exterior cap before leaving.

Dryer hose types — what's safe and what isn't

✓ Semi-rigid metal duct

The current best practice — smooth interior for better airflow, flexible enough to route around corners, fire-resistant. This is what we recommend if your hose needs replacing.

⚠ Flexible metal (foil) duct

Common in older homes. Accordion-style folds trap lint and restrict airflow. Code-permitted in short runs but not ideal. We'll flag this and advise on replacement.

✗ Plastic/vinyl duct

Not permitted by most building codes for dryers. Melts in high heat and is a fire hazard. If we find plastic duct, we'll recommend immediate replacement before using the dryer.

Common reasons people book this service

Annual maintenance — standard safety and efficiency check
Clothes taking noticeably longer to dry
Moving into a home — no record of last cleaning
Dryer smells musty or faintly of burning during use
Bundling with other fall maintenance — dryer vent + caulking + door adjustment
Rental property maintenance between tenants
Exterior vent cap iced over or blocked — confirmed no airflow

Dryer vent cleaning FAQ

How often should I clean my dryer vent?

Once a year is standard for a normal household. If you do a lot of laundry (family of 4+, lots of towels and bedding), every 6 months is better. Pet owners with heavy shedding should also clean more frequently — pet hair dramatically accelerates lint accumulation.

What if my vent run is very long or goes through the attic?

Very long runs (over 6 metres equivalent) and runs that go up through a ceiling or attic may need specialized flexible brush equipment to reach. We'll assess the run at the visit — if it's beyond standard tool reach, we'll let you know before charging for work that won't be effective.

Can a clogged dryer vent cause a fire?

Yes. This is well-documented. Lint is highly flammable and builds up in duct bends where airflow slows. The dryer runs progressively hotter as the restriction increases. Annual cleaning is the single most effective thing you can do to prevent a dryer-related house fire.

Can you replace my old plastic dryer hose with metal?

Yes. If we find plastic or foil duct that needs replacing, we can swap it for semi-rigid metal duct in the same visit. We carry common lengths — confirm your approximate duct run when booking.

Can I clean the vent myself?

You can clean the first 30 cm with a vacuum and brush. For anything beyond that, a dedicated vent cleaning brush kit is needed to reach the full duct length. DIY cleaning misses the bends where lint really accumulates — which is where the fire risk lives.

Time to clean your dryer vent?

Not satisfied with the work? I will come back and make it right.

Book a dryer vent cleaning or call (403) 973-5123