Thorough Chimney Cleaning & Maintenance Services
Dryer vents are all too often overlooked and not given a lot of thought – out of sight, out of mind, right? Unfortunately, failing to have these vents professionally cleaned and maintained can invite some serious threats to your household, as well as dryer inefficiency. So, if your clothes aren’t drying and you’re ready to invest in a new appliance, don’t drive to the store just yet… make sure your vents aren’t clogged up first.
If you live in San Antonio, Boerne, New Braunfels, Seguin, Canyon Lake, or anywhere else in our wide service area, the crew at Wolfman Chimney & Fireplace can help you out.
Need chimney services as well? Fireplace repair? Annual chimney cleanings? We offer it all – from sweepings to chimney repair work to new installations – we only hire the best chimney sweeps in the area, so don’t wait to trust our crew for it all.
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Dryer vent cleanings in your New Braunfels area home should be performed every year by a trained and certified chimney sweep.
This is best practice for avoiding bigger threats and hazards down the line. Keep in mind, though, that if your dryer sees a lot of use throughout the year, scheduling these cleanings more often (like two or three times per year) may be the better route.
Fortunately, if you already rely on us for chimney cleanings or inspections, you can hire our dryer exhaust technicians in New Braunfels for this service too. Don’t deal with the hassle of calling around to multiple companies – make us your go-to crew for it all.
Not sure whether you need a cleaning or if it can be put off for a later date? Our New Braunfels dryer vent cleaning team has got some good questions to consider.
In the end, if you’re not sure… schedule a cleaning with our New Braunfels dryer vent cleaning service team. It never hurts to get this maintenance done, and once it’s complete, you can get yourself on a more regular cleaning schedule based on your household’s needs.
It’s clear there are hazards associated with clogged dryer vents, but what exactly are these?
Here’s the deal. We know that booking annual dryer vent cleanings with our New Braunfels team is another investment for you that affects both your schedule and budget. But the alternative to this – i.e. house fires, gas leaks, wear on your clothes, etc. – is going to have a way bigger impact on your calendar and bank account.
This is a piece of maintenance that is well worth putting some effort into. The best part is, we handle the hard part – all you have to do is give us a call!
The majority of your lint gets blocked from your dryer vents by hitting the dryer’s lint trap first. But if your lint trap is clogged up from past cycles, you’re going to run into problems, and your dryer’s efficiency will suffer as a result. It’ll be forced to work longer and harder, leading to higher energy costs and longer drying cycles, and your vents will start filling up quickly too.
How often should you clean your lint trap?
After every load. That’s right – after each and every one. We know this adds an additional step to an already busy laundry/cleaning routine, but it’s a quick and easy one – and well worth it, when you look at the end payoffs.
Not sure how to clean off your lint trip? It’s simple. Most of these are either located on top of the dryer or right inside the door. Just pull yours out, then gently scrape off the layer of lint that has built up with your hands. Then, stick it back in and let your dryer run.
A lot of lint collected in dryer lint trap a woman’s hands holding the trap.
Should I wash my lint trap?
Many wonder about whether or not they can actually wash their lint trap with water… Is this good for it or is it something that could cause damage – and should therefore be avoided?
Washing your lint trap with soap and water is actually a great practice to implement into your cleaning routine! Over time, the chemicals in your dryer sheets and other wrinkle-removing products can clog these pores up. Only… they’re practically invisible, so noting their presence isn’t so simple. But by giving your lint trap a thorough, yet gentle, washing, you help keep things open, so that air can sufficiently escape through.
Just be sure to allow it time to completely dry before putting it back to work in your dryer.
Can you lower the amount of lint buildup in your dryer to help extend the time between needed dryer vent cleanings? There are some tips we can recommend. Although, despite how well you implement these, we still urge you to invest in annual cleanings. That said, if you’re finding yourself booking 2 or 3 cleanings a year, these tips could lower those numbers.
Questions about any of our recommendations and services? Reach out – we’re here for homeowners in San Marcos, Kyle, Austin, Schertz, Spring Branch, Helotes, and more. We’d be more than happy to answer your questions and get you where you need to be.
We strongly urge against this. Like with chimney sweepings, there are kits out there that promote DIY dryer vent cleanings and make claims about how much easier and more affordable it is to bypass help from a professional.
Yet, there are a few big issues with this:
In the end, there’s a reason the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) created an entire program for certifying dryer exhaust technicians in the New Braunfels area and around the nation. There’s a lot to know about completing the process correctly and safely, and since the aim of this institution is to ensure homeowners nationwide stay safer, they knew a certification process was something that was definitely needed.
By investing in care from a professional from the very start, many find that this actually saves them more money over time, despite the fact that DIY methods are initially cheaper.
We wouldn’t say there’s a “best” time to get this maintenance done. As long as you’re doing it consistently (i.e. once per year), as long as it’s getting done, we’re happy! That said, many like to book their dryer vent cleanings with our New Braunfels based team at the same time as their chimney inspections to get both types of annual maintenance completed and done with at the same time.
And fortunately for folks in Austin, Schertz, Spring Branch, Helotes, or anywhere else nearby, we’re equipped, trained, and certified to handle both of these services for you. We’ll get the job done right, so you can stress less all year long.
Just remember – some dryers see a lot more work, like if you have a bigger family or an especially active household. This might mean you’ll want to get your dryer vent cleaning on the calendar twice per year. Again, it’s not as important to get these done during a certain time of year, as long as they’re done consistently.
Well, there’s not exactly an easy answer to this one – it all depends on the length of the vent, how accessible it is, and more. If you’re looking for an estimate, we encourage you to give us a call to discuss your options – we’d be happy to offer some guidance and input!
One thing is for sure, though – putting off this maintenance is going to cost you more over time than investing in it. How so?
First things first… did you trust a professional for the job? If not, there’s a good chance things were done incorrectly.
Now, if you recently moved into a home and have no idea if a professional was hired for the job or not, here are a few things you can keep an eye out for.
A properly installed dryer vent is essential for the safety of your home and the efficiency of your appliance. Proper installation by our New Braunfels dryer exhaust technicians prevents the buildup of lint and other debris that can cause blockages, reduce airflow, and increase the risk of fire. If you need help, call us out for the highest level of care possible.
Vents of the past were typically constructed from a plastic or foil accordion-style material. Nowadays, though, experts will note that this is less than ideal as it easily kinks and becomes damaged. It’s also more prone to sagging, and the chances of experiencing clogs will increase, too, as lint accumulates in those frequent ridges.
Because of this, our dryer vent cleaning experts in New Braunfels suggest investing in more rigid and smooth vent styles made from reliable materials like aluminum or galvanized steel. This will give fumes a streamlined path out of your home, and it will minimize your risk of experiencing buildup that can lead to gas leaks and fires.
We also urge our customers to have these vents installed by an experienced professional, as improper installation will still invite risks, inefficiency, and a long list of hazards.
Like with chimneys, dryer vent maintenance isn’t something that’s nationally regulated – meaning anyone could buy a few tools, purchase a business license, and deem themselves an expert. That’s why – as with chimney maintenance – looking for proper credentials is a must for avoiding an increased risk of hazards and system damage.
Cue the Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician (C-DET) credential from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA).
This is the only nationally recognized credential for dryer vent cleaning services and, similar to the CSIA certification process, it requires going through a thorough and in-depth examination process. Techs need to buy the appropriate learning materials, study up, then take the time to take and pass the exam in order to become certified.
Does this require signing a Code of Ethics like the CSIA certification?
You bet. The CSIA doesn’t only want techs to know what to do, but how to do it with high levels of integrity. So, a certification isn’t official until the Code of Ethics is signed. When it comes to delivering quality care, holding high standards is a must. Some of the things included in this code are:
Does the C-DET credential need to be renewed?
Yep – every three years. Like with the chimney industry, techniques and materials can improve and change as we learn more about dryer vent care. Because of this, re-certifying is essential for staying up-to-date and in-the-know.
Here at Wolfman Chimney & Fireplace, we strongly recommend annual chimney inspections to make sure your system is working safely and efficiently all year long. Book your appointment today.