Duct and dryer vent questions
Short, honest answers to what people ask about air ducts, dryer vents and what a visit involves. If your question is missing, ask us by phone or form and we will answer it.
Air ducts
When should I think about cleaning my ducts?
Visible dust at the vents, a musty or stale smell as the air conditioner or furnace comes on, or dust that returns soon after dusting can all be reasons. These are hints and not proof, so the sure way is to look inside the ducts with a camera.
Is duct cleaning always needed?
No. The EPA does not recommend routine duct cleaning, but says it can be warranted for visible mold, vermin or ducts clogged with heavy dust and debris. We look first and only suggest cleaning when the ducts give a reason.
What does a duct inspection look at?
A small camera on a flexible cable looks along the duct walls for dust and debris, signs of moisture or mold, signs of vermin and sections that are loose or damaged. It shows only what it can reach, and we tell you what we could not see.
Can cleaning fix a system that works hard or cools badly?
Sometimes dust in the ducts, the blower or the coil is part of the cause, but weak airflow can also come from a dirty filter, a leaking duct or the equipment itself. We look at the whole picture and say so if cleaning will not be the answer.
Dryer vents
What tells me my dryer vent is clogged?
Clothes that stay damp after a normal cycle, a laundry room that feels like a sauna, a burning smell and lint around the outside hood are the usual signs. Any of them is a reason to have the vent looked at.
Is emptying the lint screen enough?
No. The screen only catches part of the lint. The rest travels into the hose and the vent pipe, where you cannot reach it, so the vent line needs its own cleaning on top of the screen after each load.
Can lint in the vent cause a fire?
It can contribute to one. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that failure to clean is the leading factor in residential dryer fires, and lint packed into a vent is a clear example. Keeping the vent line clear is the simple part.
Do you clean the vent hood outside as well?
Yes. Lint cleaning covers the vent line behind the dryer and the hood on the outside wall, because a blockage can sit at either end. We also check that the flap on the hood opens the way it should.
Visits and booking
What happens during a visit?
Every property is different, but a visit usually starts with a look at the system, then protecting the floors and furniture around the work, cleaning, checking the result and explaining what we found. You decide about anything beyond that.
Do you work in businesses as well as homes?
Yes. We work in homes and in businesses. Tell us what kind of space it is and roughly how many vents or dryers it has, and we will talk through how the visit would go before anything is booked.
How do I request an estimate?
Call (760) 933-5098 or fill in the form on the contact page. The form is open at any hour, and we phone you back during office hours to talk about the work and agree a time.
Which towns do you serve?
We serve Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Desert Hot Springs, Thousand Palms, Garnet and Desert Edge. Visits happen at your property, so you never need to come to us.
Request an estimate
Tell us what needs cleaning, leave your number, and we call you back during office hours to set a time.