Multi-Unit Dryer Vent Cleaning vs. Single-Unit: What’s the Difference?

Dryer vents are an essential part of any property; they expel the hot air that comes from your dryers into the outside world to protect against fire hazards. But cleaning a dryer vent at your home and cleaning dryer vents in a multi-unit setting are two very different things. From the frequency of cleaning to the time it takes and so much more, this blog highlights all the differences between multi-unit dryer vent cleaning and single-unit dryer vent cleaning.

Multi-Unit Dryer Vent & Single-Unit Dryer Vent Cleaning: What Sets Them Apart

It’s a no-brainer that cleaning single dryer vents and a complex network of ventilation tubes is bound to be different. With their intricate layout and larger quantities of lint and dust, multi-unit dryer vents are more time-consuming and skill-oriented. For an in-depth look into the two types of dryer vent cleaning, continue reading!

Here’s a look at the differences between these two.

The Frequency Of Cleaning

One of the main differences between the two services is that residential dryer vents don’t need to be cleaned that often. This is because only one home is using the vent to do their laundry, which isn’t too often, either. A single-unit dryer vent should be cleaned once a year.

Conversely, a multi-unit dryer vent supports many families, leading to faster lint build-up. This is why they need to be cleaned at least twice a year, if not more often.

The Job Duration

It’s safe to assume that cleaning a multi-unit dryer vent will take much longer than cleaning a single unit. This is, again, due to the complex tubing. Add to that the mountains of lint and dirt, and of course, it’s going to take longer.

While a single-unit dryer vent only takes about 30-60 minutes to clean, a multi-unit dryer vent usually takes several hours.

Did you know? According to the CPSC, about 15000 fires break out due to dirty dryer vents.

Professional vs DIY

Due to the simple nature of the single-unit dryer vents, they’re pretty easy to clean on your own. Just disconnect the dryer, push it out of the way, and remove the lint from the vent with a vacuum or leaf blower before locating your exhaust vent and doing the same.

But a multi-unit dryer vent cleaning isn’t as simple. For one thing, the exhaust vent is located on the roof, several feet above ground, and it requires skilled technicians who use special equipment and safety gear to clean the whole dryer vent system.

The Cost Of Cleaning

Due to all the above factors, it’s no wonder that cleaning a multi-unit dryer vent is a lot more expensive than cleaning a single-unit dryer vent. Even hiring professionals to clean your single-unit dryer vent takes about $130-$230 to have cleaned.

On the other side of the spectrum, hiring professionals for a multi-unit dryer vent cleaning service can push the cost up to $260 or higher due to the size, complexity, skill, and equipment involved.

Signs Your Dryer Vent Needs To Be Cleaned: What You Should Watch Out For

Now that you understand the key differences between the two services, you might be wondering how you can find out when it’s time to clean them in the first place. Below is a list of common indicators of when your dryer vent requires attention.

• Extra Lint Next To The Vent: While seeing some lint is normal, if you notice that the amount has increased, it means that your vent should be cleaned.
• Longer Drying Times: If the hot air can’t escape through the dryer vent at a normal pace, it means there’s a blockage, and the vent should be cleaned.
• Burning Smells: If you can detect a distinct burning smell when your dryer is running, it means that the lint trapped in the vent is heating up and could lead to a fire soon.

Conclusion

To conclude, while cleaning single-unit dryer vents and multi-unit dryer vents have the same purpose, there is a vast difference between the two services. A single-unit dryer vent cleaning only takes about an hour and can be done on your own as well. A multi-unit dryer vent cleaning, on the other hand, requires professional skill and equipment and can be quite costly.

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