Level 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterTrusted Dryer Vent Cleaning for Alexandria Homeowners
Lint buildup inside a dryer vent isn’t a minor nuisance. It’s the leading cause of dryer fires in Alexandria homes, and it quietly adds minutes to every drying cycle you’ll run this year. We’ve cleaned vents throughout Old Town, Del Ray, and the West End since 2009, completing more than 38,000 inspections and cleanings across the region. Our techs carry a camera down the line on every job, so you see exactly what we see. If you need dryer vent cleaning in Alexandria, call (240) 290-6726 and we’ll get you on the schedule.
What Our Dryer Vent Cleaning Service Includes
Every dryer vent cleaning we perform in Alexandria follows the same working standard: inspect first, show you the evidence, then clean and document. We don’t just push a brush through and call it done. We run a camera before and after, take readings, and hand you a photo record of what came out of your vent. Here’s what that covers.
Full Vent Line Inspection
Before any brush touches your vent, we inspect the entire run from the dryer to the exterior termination point. We’re looking for lint compaction, crushed or sagging flex pipe, bird nests, and improper venting material. We run a camera down the line and show you the footage on-site. If we find a problem that affects safety, we tell you plainly and give you a written price to fix it. If the vent is clean, we’ll tell you that too, and you won’t pay for a cleaning you didn’t need.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
We clean the full vent run from the dryer connection to the exterior vent cap using rotary brushes sized to your vent. This removes lint, dust, and any debris that’s accumulated along the walls of the pipe. Alexandria homes with longer vent runs, especially in older split-levels and townhomes, tend to accumulate lint faster than average. After cleaning, we collect and bag the debris and show you how much we pulled out. Then we run the camera again so you can see the result.
Dryer Exhaust to Exterior Clearing
The exterior termination point is where most clogs get their start. Birds build nests in the vent cap, leaves plug the opening, and heavy lint collects at the flap. We clear the full exhaust path to the outside, remove any obstruction at the cap, and verify airflow with a digital anemometer. You’ll see the before and after airflow readings side by side. If your vent cap is damaged or missing, we’ll recommend a replacement and give you a written price on the spot.
Lint Trap and Dryer Connection Cleaning
A surprising amount of lint bypasses the trap inside the dryer and settles in the cabinet or the connection point behind the machine. We pull the dryer, clean the interior lint trap housing, and check the flex connector for kinks or splits. We’ll also check that your dryer is properly grounded and that the connection is secure before we slide it back. This is the part most cheap sweep services skip. We don’t, because it’s where most hidden lint lives.
Airflow Verification and Written Report
Every visit ends with a documented photo record and a written summary of the vent’s condition, airflow readings, and any recommendations. Clause 4 of the Haven Standard requires a photo record on every job, and we’ve followed that practice since 2009. You’ll receive before and after photos, your airflow numbers, and a written scope of anything we suggest for the future. Nothing is recommended without camera evidence you can see yourself.
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
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You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Brands We Service for Dryer Vent Cleaning
We work on all major dryer makes and vent configurations throughout Alexandria, but a few brands come through our schedule more than others. We’ve cleaned hundreds of vents connected to LG and Samsung dryers, including the high-efficiency models common in newer Alexandria townhome builds. These units push air differently than older models, and their sensors are more sensitive to airflow restriction. We know how to clean them without triggering error codes or damaging the moisture sensors.
We also service Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, and Speed Queen units regularly. Whether you have a gas dryer vented through the roof or an electric unit vented through a side wall, the cleaning protocol is the same: camera first, clean the full run, test airflow, and document everything. We use professional-grade rotary equipment from Copperfield and Famco, which lets us clean vent runs up to 35 feet without pulling apart walls. No matter what make you own, we can clean it and verify the result.
BeforeAfterSigns You Need Dryer Vent Cleaning Right Now
Some signs are obvious. Others are subtle enough that Alexandria homeowners notice them only after the vent is clean and the dryer suddenly works again. Here’s what to watch for.
- Clothes take two cycles to dry fully. When your vent is clogged, moisture has nowhere to exit, so the dryer runs longer to compensate. If towels or jeans consistently need a second cycle, airflow is restricted somewhere. A clean vent lets air move freely and cutting drying time back to normal.
- The dryer feels hot on the outside while running. A warm exterior means heat is backing up inside the machine instead of venting out. That’s wasted energy and added wear on your dryer’s heating element. In Alexandria’s humid summers, it’s also adding moisture and heat to your laundry room.
- You see lint around the exterior vent opening or the floor behind the dryer. Visible lint at either end of the system means the vent line is full and debris is being pushed backward. This is the most reliable early warning sign. If you see it, call us at (240) 290-6726 before it gets worse.
- There’s a burning smell when the dryer runs. Lint is highly flammable, and when it builds up near the heating element, it can smolder. This is a fire hazard, not a laundry inconvenience. Shut the dryer off and book a cleaning before running another load.
- It’s been over a year since your last cleaning. The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual dryer vent cleaning for most households. Larger Alexandria households, or anyone who dries heavy fabrics regularly, may need it every six months. If you can’t remember the last time it was done, it’s time.
Our Dryer Vent Cleaning Process - Step by Step
We work the same way on every job, whether it’s a single-family home near Mount Vernon or a condo in Carlyle. Here’s exactly what happens when you book with us.
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We confirm your appointment and arrive on schedule. A background-checked tech in uniform arrives in a clearly marked van, calls or texts when they’re on the way, and shows you identification before entering. You’ll know the tech’s name before they arrive.
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We inspect the full vent line with a camera. We locate the vent termination point outside, disconnect the dryer, and run a camera from end to end. You’ll see the inside of your vent on our screen. We note any damage, separation, or blockage.
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We clean the entire vent run with professional rotary equipment. Using brushes matched to your vent diameter, we scrub from the dryer side to the exterior cap, then clean the cap and exterior opening. We collect all debris and show you what came out.
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We verify airflow and reassemble everything. We take an airflow reading with a digital anemometer and compare it against the expected range for your vent configuration. The dryer gets reconnected, the trap housing is cleaned, and the area behind the machine is left spotless.
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We review the findings and hand you your documentation. You get before and after photos, airflow readings, a written summary of the vent’s condition, and any recommendations with written pricing. Nothing is recommended without evidence you can see.
How Much Does Dryer Vent Cleaning Cost in Alexandria?
What affects the price is mostly access. A first-floor laundry room with a short, straight vent to an exterior wall is the simplest job. A second-floor laundry with a vent running through a finished ceiling to the roof takes longer and costs more. The price you’re quoted is the price you pay. Written price, written scope, written warranty. That’s Haven Standard Clause 1, and we’ve operated that way since 2009. Our free estimate includes the full inspection, camera footage, and a written quote for anything we recommend. Call (240) 290-6726 to book.
Dryer Vent Cleaning Near Alexandria - Our Service Area
We serve Alexandria and the surrounding communities, including Arlington, Springfield, Falls Church, McLean, Tysons Corner, Vienna, Fairfax, Washington, Fort Washington, Bethesda, and Hyattsville. Most appointments are scheduled within a few days, and we run routes through Northern Virginia daily. If you’re in Arlington, you can find more details on our Dryer Vent Cleaning in Arlington page. We also serve Springfield and the surrounding areas with the same written-price standard.
Serving Alexandria, VA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Alexandria area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions - Dryer Vent Cleaning in Alexandria
What is dryer vent cleaning?
Dryer vent cleaning is the process of removing lint, dust, and debris from the duct that carries hot, moist air from your dryer to the outside of your home. It includes cleaning the dryer connection, the full interior of the vent pipe, and the exterior termination cap. In Alexandria, where many homes have longer vent runs and older construction, regular cleaning prevents fires and keeps your dryer operating efficiently.
How long does dryer vent cleaning take?
A standard dryer vent cleaning takes 45 to 90 minutes from start to finish. Vent runs that are particularly long, clogged, or require roof access may take up to two hours. You’ll know the full scope before we start, and the written price covers the entire job regardless of how long it takes.
How much does dryer vent cleaning cost in Alexandria?
Most dryer vent cleanings in Alexandria cost between $149 and $249. Longer vent runs, roof terminations, and difficult access can push the price to $329 or slightly higher. Every quote is written before any work begins, so you’ll know your exact price before we start.
Do you service Samsung and LG dryers?
Yes. We service all major dryer brands, including Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, and Speed Queen. High-efficiency units from Samsung and LG often have more sensitive sensors and can throw error codes when airflow is restricted. We clean these units regularly and know how to avoid false readings.
Do you offer emergency dryer vent cleaning in Alexandria?
We keep same-week availability for urgent cases, especially when there’s a burning smell or visible smoke. If your dryer is showing signs of a vent fire risk, call us at (240) 290-6726 and we’ll prioritize your appointment. Our phone line is answered by a live person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Is your dryer vent cleaning work guaranteed?
Yes. Every job is backed by the 365-Day Done Right Promise: if it’s not done right, we make it right. That’s stamped on every job under the Haven Standard. If you have any issue with our work within a year, call us and we’ll come back.
How should I prepare for my dryer vent cleaning appointment?
Clear a path to your dryer and remove anything sitting on top of the machine. If your laundry area is tight, moving hampers or storage bins out of the way helps our techs work faster. We handle moving the dryer itself, so there’s no need to disconnect anything ahead of time. We’ll also need access to the exterior vent cap, so if a locked gate blocks the side yard, have it open or leave a key.
Schedule Your Dryer Vent Cleaning Service in Alexandria Today
A clogged dryer vent is a fire risk you can eliminate in under two hours. Call (240) 290-6726 for a free, no-obligation estimate on dryer vent cleaning in Alexandria. We’ll give you a written price before any work starts, and you’ll walk away with photos and airflow readings that show exactly what we did.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Emberly Chimney Cleaners, serving Alexandria since 2009.