When the work is complete, ask for a detailed invoice. It should include the following:

• The contractor’s name, physical address and state license number.
• A complete list of all work performed.
• An itemized list of all materials used.
• The total cost for the services, including the itemized amount charged for labor.
• A written explanation of any warranties or guarantees provided by the product manufacturers and the contractors.

Then ask your Marin County dryer vent cleaning contractor to show you what was done and tell you how you can maintain the system. You may also want to ask them how often they recommend regular cleanings and any other advice they have for keeping your home safe and clean.

Dryer duct cleaning services don’t usually come with warranties, but the company you hire may offer guarantees on the services they provide. Any repairs should come with warranties on labor and parts.

If you do get a guarantee, ask for proof in writing. The following items should be included in any written guarantee document:

• The Marin County dryer vent cleaning contractor’s name, physical address and state license number.

• A description of what exactly the warranty covers. This should include whether the comapany will repair or replace faulty materials or workmanship. Any exclusions must be explicitly stated.
• Your responsibility in the case of a problem and what you need to do in order to redeem the warranty.
• How long the warranty is valid, and whether it expires on a specific day or is prorated (meaning, the warranty coverage and amount owed for repair or replacement diminishes over time).
• Any actions on your part that may invalidate the warranty or guarantee statement.

The following are the most commonly requested services from dryer exhaust cleaning companies in Marin County, including those in San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Tiburon, Sausalito, Fairfax, Ross, Belvedere and other areas.

Dryer Duct Cleaning Services
Over time, dryer ducts begin to fill up with lint and other debris from clothes dryers. This can keep your dryer from functioning well because hot, humid air can’t escape from the dryer, preventing your clothes from getting dry. It can also be a starting place for house fires. Local companies that offer dryer duct cleaning services can remove the lint and other material from inside the entire duct system, helping your dryer become more efficient and keeping your home safer.

Dryer Duct System Repairs
Damage to dryer exhaust systems, such as cracks in the ducts, broken seals between duct sections and components, damaged or missing vent clamps and vent covers, and more can keep your system from functioning correctly and can cause your dryer to be less efficient. Damage and missing parts can also create surfaces for lint buildup, which can put your family and home at risk. Many Marin County dryer duct cleaning companies also offer repairs and maintenance to keep your system running smoothly.

Dryer Vent Maintenance
Routine maintenance such as cleaning, replacement of damaged or worn-out parts, clog prevention and more are an important part of home maintenance. Having a local dryer vent company provide routine maintenance on your system is an important step in keeping your home

Dryer Duct Vent Inspection Services in Marin County
Dryer vent systems that are long or curved may have clogs or lint hiding in them. There may also be damage, cracks, or other problems that can’t be seen from the entry and exit holes. For these cases, video inspection services can help. Many Marin County dryer vent cleaning services also offer video inspections to see deep within the system and locate areas that need cleaning, clogs, damage, or other issues. There may be an additional fee for this service, or it may come as part of the general service fee.

Lint Removal
Lint builds up on the sides of the dryer duct system, and it can become a fire hazard as well as keeping dryers from being as efficient. Lint removal is the main service offered by dryer duct cleaning services in Marin County, including those in Novato, Mill Valley, San Rafael, San Anselmo, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Dogtown, Black Point, Lucas Valley, Kent Woodlands, Muir Woods, Point Reyes Station, Strawberry Point, Tomales, and beyond.

Transition Duct Cleaning
Transition ducts are the ducts that connect your dryer to the dryer duct system within the wall. Transition ducts are usually flexible and made of aluminum or another inflammable material. Lint can build up within the transition duct, so transition duct cleaning should always be part of dryer exhaust system cleaning.

Vent Termination Point Cleaning
Vent termination points are the end of the duct system where it expels hot air out of the home. Lint and other material may build up at the termination point or area near the termination point as the air pressure lessens. Ask if your dryer duct cleaning company cleans all the way to the termination point to get a completely clean system.

Dryer Duct Vent Cover Cleaning
Dryer vent covers are usually louvered and sit at the end of the termination point. They prevent animals and insects from gaining entry to the home, and they may have small screens to keep even tiny critters out. However, this screen can become caked with lint and other material, so it should be checked regularly and cleaned whenever lint can be seen. You may be able to clean your vent cover or you may need to ask a dryer duct cleaning company to clean it for you, based on its location. Vent cover cleaning should be part of any thorough dryer exhaust cleaning service.

Dryer Duct Elbow Cleaning Services
Dryer duct elbows are the places where the ducts bend, either at 90 or 45 degree angles. These bends in the ductwork can be collection points for lint and other debris, so they should be inspected and cleaned every one to three years, or as advised by your Marin County duct cleaning service.

Dryer Exhaust System Clog Removal
Clogs made of lint and other dryer debris can block your dryer ducts and keep them from functioning correctly. Complete clogs can back up the hot air into your home, so your dryer may not be expelling any hot air at all. This can cause the dryer to over heat and the clothes to get very hot but not dry because the air inside the dryer stays humid. Clogs can be seen using video inspection technology, and they almost always need to be removed by a dryer duct cleaning professional with the right tools for the job. Regular cleaning of the venting ducts is recommended to prevent clogs and lint buildup.

Brands Used by Dryer Duct Cleaning Services in the Greater Bay Area
Each Marin County dryer vent cleaning service may have its own favorite brands of equipment, including dryer exhaust system cleaning equipment, dryer vent inspection equipment, repair equipment and more. However, some of the following may be brands used by companies in San Rafael, San Anselmo, Novato, Mill Valley, Larkspur and near you.

• Gardus LintEater Rotary Dryer Vent Cleaning Equipment
• Deflecto Dryer Duct Cleaning Equipment
• NIKRO Industries
• Ettore Rotary Dryer Vent Cleaner
• Cobra Dryer Vent Brushes
• Dryer Vent Wizard
• Everbilt Dryer Vent Cleaning Brush
• Heat Seal
• DuctSmart Dryer Vent Cleaning Tools

carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a combustion product created by gas dryers. Dryer air duct vents that release air from the dryer outside of the home can become clogged with lint and debris and can cause carbon monoxide to vent inside the home instead of outside, creating the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal to people and pets.

Also known as: CO2, CO2 poisoning, carbon monoxide poisoning

developed length of vent
The developed length of vent is calculated by adding the lengths of straight pipes and elbows found within the dryer duct system. Calculations used include 5 feet for each 90 degree elbow and 2.5 feet for 45 degree elbows, added to linear feet within the system. It is recommended that the total developed length of dryer duct venting should be 25 feet or less. Your dryer duct cleaning company can calculate the developed length of your dryer duct vent system and suggest repairs or modifications if the length is too long.

Also known as: dryer duct vent length

dryer exhaust system
Dryer vent systems include all pipes, elbows, and caps that make up the entire venting system that moves moist air and lint from a clothes dryer out of the home or building and releases it outside.

Also known as: dryer vent system, dryer duct system, dryer ducting

dryer vent cleaning kit
Dryer vent cleaning kits are available for DIY and at-home dryer duct cleaning. The kits are available at most hardware stores and usually contain two swivel-type elbows and corrugated metal piping that can be used to remove lint from inside dryer vent systems. DIY dryer vent cleaning is only recommended for homeowners who have dryer duct systems that are four feet or less in length and do not include many large elbows or bends. Longer systems may require professional cleaning to ensure the ducts are completely clean and safe.

Also known as: DIY dryer vent cleaning, DIY dryer duct cleaning kits, do it yourself dryer vent duct kits

duct pipe
Duct pipe is the piping that vents the hot air and lint from the dryer to outside the building. If the dryer duct pipe is inside a wall, it is required to be made of rigid metal pipe. Flexible pipe should can be used only where it is visible, such as directly behind the dryer leading to the wall.

Also known as: vent pipe, dryer duct pipe, dryer vent pipe

elbows
Elbows are bends used in dryer duct venting. Elbows are corners that turn the ducts, and they may be at 45 or 90 degree angles. Ducting elbows may be needed to move the hot air outside, but they make systems less efficient and can create a stopping point where lint and other debris can collect. Therefore, elbows shouldn’t be used unless necessary, and they should be regularly inspected and cleaned for safety’s sake.

Also known as: dryer duct elbows, dryer vent elbows, duct elbow, duct bends

horizontal dryer ducts
Horizontal dryer ducts are those that run flat or mostly horizontally through the wall to the outside of the building, carrying dryer air and lint from the dryer to the exhaust point. Horizontal dryer ducts are preferred because they carry air and debris straight out without bends or elbows that can catch lint.

Also known as: flat dryer vents, flat dryer ducts, horizontal dryer vents, horizontal vent pipe

lint trap
The lint trap in a clothes dryer is where lint collects during the clothes drying cycle. While some people confuse them, lint traps and dryer vents/dryer ducts are not the same thing. Lint traps should be cleaned before or after each cycle to keep them clean and the air flowing easily through the lint trap and into the dryer vent. Dryer duct vents should be cleaned every one to three years depending on several factors, including frequency of dryer use, age of the dryer, and the presence of lint within the dryer duct system.

Also known as: clothes dryer lint trap

rotary brush
A rotary brush is a dryer duct cleaning brush that travels the length of the dryer duct system and cleans the lint and debris from the inside of the dryer vent. Professional dryer duct cleaning companies often use rotary brushes to completely clean dryer ducts. Most consumers don’t have access to rotary brushes, making professional cleaning a good idea for dryer ducts longer than four feet.

Also known as: dryer vent cleaning brush, dryer duct cleaning brush, rotating dryer duct vent cleaning system

termination point
The end of the dryer vent exhaust system, known as the termination point, is outside the home or building where the dryer duct system is located. Dryer vent termination points are usually placed on the side of a wall or the roof. As they allow humid, hot air and lint to escape from the dryer and dryer duct vent, they should not be located in an enclosed space, such as a garage or interior part of the home.

Also known as: end point, dryer vent exhaust system exit, dryer vent exit

transition duct
Transition ducts are pipes that connect dryers and the dryer vent or ducting system. Transition ducts are usually flexible and made of aluminum or non-flammable material. Transition ducts come from the back or side of the clothes dryer and should be as short as possible to allow for the quick transfer of air to the termination point. Lint can build up within the transition duct, so it should always be part of dryer duct cleaning services.

Also known as: transition tube, transition hose

vertical dryer ducts
Vertical dryer ducts run vertically, or up and down, connecting the clothes dryer or transition duct to the ducting system that will eventually run to the termination point. They often run vertically up through walls and exit through the ceiling.

Also known as: vertical-run dryer duct, vertical dryer vent, vertical clothes dryer exhaust system

vent clamp
Dryer vent clamps clamp is usually made of stainless steel and is used to connect the transition tube to the dryer and the vent.

Also known as: dryer duct clamp, dryer transition hose clamp

vent cover
Vent covers are located at the end of the dryer vent exhaust system. They are usually louvered in style (with slats running across the width) and may have an internal screen to keep lint from escaping the dryer duct vent. If they have an internal screen, it should be regularly cleaned to prevent clogs and allow for the free movement of air.

Also known as: dryer duct vent cover, dryer exhaust system end cap

Q: Why choose a Diamond Certified dryer duct cleaning service near you?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a dryer duct cleaning services with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only dryer duct cleaning services rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified dryer duct cleaning services.

Q: What is a dryer duct?
A: Dryer ducts and dryer vents are the same thing, but people in different areas use different terms for them. The dryer vent is actually a system that includes the dryer vent tube (usually made of silver extendable material) that connects your clothes dryer to the wall and the tube or pipe that extends from that wall connection, through the wall, until it exits the home (usually on an exterior wall or roof). Some people mistakenly think their dryer vent or dryer duct is simply the lint trap. While the lint trap should be cleaned each time you use the dryer, the dryer duct system should be cleaned and inspected every one to three years or when problems are noted.

Q: Why should I have my dryer duct vent cleaned?

A: There are many reasons to clean your dryer duct vent system. Clogged dryer ducts make clothes dryers less efficient, which wastes money and causes unnecessary wear and tear on the machine. It can also be tough on your clothes because they have to tumble longer in order to get dry. Clogged dryer vents can also be a fire hazard. The lint and other material in the dryer duct vent can overheat and act like kindling to start a fire.

Q: What are signs that my dryer duct needs to be cleaned?
A: Clogged dryer ducts can create problems that warn you about the need for cleaning. Clothing may take longer to dry and may still be wet or damp after the dryer has completed a full cycle, loads may routinely take more than one cycle to dry, clothing can become very hot but still be wet after the dryer has completed the full cycle, and heavy loads or heavy items like bath towels can take much longer to dry or become hot but not fully dry. The dryer may also become overly hot while it is running, or your laundry room may feel hot and humid while the dryer is on. Clothes may smell musty or there may be a musty smell while the dryer is running. Lint may accumulate in, around, and behind the dryer. You may also notice that there isn’t any lint on the lint screen or lint trap. This can be a sign that the dryer exhaust duct is clogged and no air is flowing through.

Q: Can I clean my own dryer vent?
A: It is possible to clean your own dryer vent, particularly if you have a very short length (four feet or less) between the dryer and the vent exit on the outside of your home. However, it may be best to entrust this job to a professional. Homeowners often don’t have the special tools needed to completely clean out the vent system, so they may just get the dryer vent system partially clean, which can leave them with a false sense of security. Dryer ducts can be long, thin, and hard to access. Vacuum hoses and cleaning wands can’t always reach all areas. Dryer duct cleaning companies also may have video inspection tools that can give you a look at the entire dryer duct system to check for clogs, leaks, or other problems.

Q: Can cleaning my dryer duct vent save me money?
A: It can. Clogged dryer vents can be full of lint and other material that keeps the air from flowing out of the house. This can cause the dryer to work harder. Blocked and partially-blocked vents also keep the clothing from drying as fast, which means you have to run your dryer longer. By cleaning out your dryer duct and vent hose, your dryer will likely become more efficient and save you money on electricity. It can also save wear and tear on your dryer, which can make the machine last longer.

Q: How often should dryer ducts be cleaned out?
A: That depends on your dryer, how often you use it, and how much lint and debris accumulates. It is generally recommended that dryer vents be inspected and cleaned every one or three years. If you notice your clothing isn’t getting dry, there is an excess of lint or debris on the exterior of your home or where the dryer duct vent exits the home, or if you suspect a problem, have a professional inspect and clean your dryer duct right away to prevent possible fire or damage. Older dryers (those more than 10 years old), dryer duct systems with several bends or curves, compact dryers, dryers that get frequent use, and long dryer duct systems (those longer than 15 feet) may need to be cleaned more often.