A clogged or damaged dryer vent is one of the most overlooked fire hazards in Chicago homes. The U.S. Fire Administration reports over 2,900 home dryer fires annually — and 34% are caused by failure to clean the dryer vent. If your dryer is taking longer than one cycle to dry clothes, running hot to the touch, or you notice a burning smell, your dryer vent needs immediate attention.
Signs Your Dryer Vent Needs Repair or Cleaning
- Clothes take more than one cycle to fully dry
- Dryer or laundry room feels unusually hot while running
- Burning smell during or after drying cycle
- Visible lint or debris around the exterior vent opening
- Dryer vent flap doesn’t open when dryer is running
- It has been more than 1 year since your last vent cleaning
- You’ve moved the dryer and the duct is kinked or disconnected
Dryer Vent Repair vs. Dryer Vent Cleaning
| Service | What It Addresses | Typical Cost in Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Dryer vent cleaning | Lint buildup, blockages | $100–$175 |
| Dryer vent repair | Disconnected, crushed, or damaged duct sections | $150–$300 |
| Dryer vent rerouting | Vent runs too long or has too many bends | $200–$500 |
| Exterior vent cap replacement | Damaged or missing exterior flap | $75–$150 |
| Full duct replacement | Old foil accordion duct (fire hazard) | $150–$350 |
How Dryer Vent Repair Works
- Inspection — We check the duct run from the dryer to the exterior, looking for disconnections, crushes, excessive length (>25 ft total equivalent), or improper materials (flexible foil is a fire hazard and not code-compliant in new installations).
- Cleaning — A rotating brush and high-powered vacuum removes lint buildup from the entire duct run.
- Repair or replacement — Damaged sections are replaced with rigid or semi-rigid metal duct. We use proper duct tape (not standard tape) and code-compliant connections.
- Exterior vent check — We confirm the exterior flap opens freely, is not blocked by nests or debris, and the duct terminates properly (minimum 3 ft from any opening).
- Flow test — We run the dryer and verify proper airflow at the exterior vent before leaving.
Chicago-Specific Dryer Vent Issues
Many Chicago condos, greystones, and two-flats have dryer vents that run long horizontal distances through walls or up through multiple floors before exiting. These long runs collect lint faster and are more prone to blockage. If your building has shared or stacked dryer vents, this is an even higher fire risk. Chicago Handyman handles complex vent runs including rooftop terminations common in high-rise and mid-rise buildings.
See also: Our Chicago Home Maintenance Checklist includes dryer vent cleaning as an annual task along with 20+ other preventive maintenance items every Chicago homeowner should know.
Need Dryer Vent Repair or Cleaning in Chicago?
Don’t wait on a dryer vent issue — it’s a genuine fire hazard. Chicago Handyman cleans and repairs dryer vents throughout Chicago and suburbs with same-week availability.