If your dryer is taking forever, your laundry room feels hot and humid, or you’ve noticed that “warm lint” smell when you run a cycle—your dryer vent system is trying to tell you something.
In Tampa Bay homes, dryer vents are one of the most overlooked (and most dangerous) parts of the house. Why? Because you don’t see the problem until it becomes a major one: clogged vents, overheating dryers, repeated repairs, moldy laundry rooms, and in the worst cases—dryer fires.
At Swept Away Chimney, Inc., we’ve been helping homeowners across Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco protect their homes with professional venting services that actually solve the problem, not just “vacuum the lint trap and call it a day.”
This guide breaks down what’s happening inside your vent, what warning signs to watch for, and what a real professional dryer vent cleaning should include.
Why Dryer Vent Cleaning Matters More Than Most People Think
Your dryer doesn’t just “dry clothes.” It’s a heat machine. It produces hot air, moisture, and lint—every single cycle.
That airflow has only one path out:
Through the dryer transition duct
Into the vent line through the wall/attic/crawlspace
Out the exterior termination hood
When that pathway gets restricted by lint buildup, crushed flex duct, long vent runs, improper materials, or bird nests at the termination cover, your dryer starts operating under stress.
That stress leads to:
Longer dry times (2–3 cycles becomes “normal”)
Overheating of dryer components
Higher electric bills
Moisture trapped indoors (hello, mildew smell)
Increased fire risk
Lint is basically fuel. Add heat + oxygen and you’ve got a real hazard.
Tampa Bay Homes Have Unique Dryer Vent Problems
Here’s why dryer vent issues are especially common in our area:
1) High humidity = moisture + lint = sludge
Lint doesn’t always stay fluffy. In humid environments, lint can mat down inside the vent and form dense clogs that restrict airflow like a plugged artery.
2) Roof vents and long attic runs
We see this constantly in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco:
The vent runs up into the attic
Goes 20–35 feet (or more)
Terminates on the roof
That long run is a lint trap by design. If it isn’t cleaned correctly, you’ll get blockages, condensation, and backpressure.
3) Termination covers get blocked (and critters love them)
Exterior vent hoods can be blocked by:
Lint buildup at the flap
Bird nests
Pest activity
Improper screens (screens are notorious for trapping lint)
When the termination can’t open fully, airflow drops fast—and drying times skyrocket.
Top Warning Signs Your Dryer Vent Is Clogged
If you’re experiencing any of these, you’re likely overdue:
Clothes take more than one cycle to dry
Dryer feels hotter than usual
Laundry room feels humid
You smell musty odor or “hot lint” smell
Outside vent flap barely opens (or doesn’t open at all)
Excess lint behind the dryer
Dryer shuts off mid-cycle (overheating safety)
Your dryer is “new” but still dries slowly (vent restriction, not the dryer)
Pro tip: If you can’t remember the last time your dryer vent was cleaned, it’s time.
The Truth: Most “Dryer Vent Cleanings” Aren’t Real Cleanings
A real dryer vent cleaning is not:
blowing air into the vent for 2 minutes
vacuuming behind the dryer only
“cleaning the lint trap area” and calling it a day
A professional service should include:
Full system access (dryer connection to exterior termination)
Mechanical agitation + professional-grade vacuum collection
Confirmation of airflow improvement (before/after)
Inspection for crushed ducting, improper materials, long runs, and termination issues
At Swept Away, we approach dryer vent cleaning the way pros approach chimney sweeping: full-path cleaning, inspection-minded, and safety-focused.
What a Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning Should Include
When we clean a dryer vent in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Seminole, Safety Harbor, Dunedin, Wesley Chapel, Brandon, Riverview, and beyond, we focus on the full system:
Step 1: Site evaluation (the “why is this happening?” moment)
We identify:
vent route (short wall vent vs attic/roof run)
duct type (rigid metal vs flex)
termination type (hood, roof cap, buried termination)
risk points (elbows, sags, crushed sections)
Step 2: Full-path cleaning (not partial)
We clean the entire vent run using proper tools designed for dryer duct systems—removing lint buildup throughout the line.
Step 3: Termination clearing and verification
We confirm the exterior termination:
opens properly
isn’t restricted by lint or nests
is configured in a safe, non-clogging way
Step 4: Performance check
The goal is simple: your dryer should exhaust efficiently, so clothes dry faster and the machine runs cooler.
“Why Is My Dryer Taking So Long to Dry Clothes?”
In many cases, it’s not the dryer—it’s the vent system.
Common causes:
Partial blockage (dryer still works but poorly)
Long vent run with multiple elbows
Flex duct that sags and traps lint
Crushed transition duct behind the dryer
Roof termination with heavy lint accumulation
Improper termination cover (screens that trap lint)
If you’ve replaced parts, cleaned the lint trap, or even bought a new dryer and the issue persists—your vent line is usually the culprit.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Vent?
General rule:
Every 12 months for most homes
Every 6–9 months if you have a large household, pets, or do frequent laundry
Immediately if you notice symptoms (long dry times, hot dryer, burnt smell)
If your vent run is long (attic/roof) or you have a history of clogs, you should be on a more proactive schedule.
Dryer Vent Cleaning Checklist (Quick Self-Test)
You can do this in under 60 seconds:
Start the dryer on a normal cycle.
Go outside to the exterior vent.
Check airflow strength and whether the flap opens fully.
If airflow is weak or the flap barely moves → restriction likely.
This isn’t a perfect diagnostic, but it’s a strong indicator.
Why Tampa Bay Homeowners Choose Swept Away
We’re not “a guy with a shop vac.” We’re a systems-and-safety company.
When you hire Swept Away, you get:
A service team that understands venting pathways and building conditions
Inspection-minded work (we look for what causes repeat clogs)
Clear communication and professional recommendations
A company built on long-term reputation and doing it right
And if you also need chimney or fireplace help? We can take care of that too—so you’re not juggling multiple vendors for safety-critical systems in your home.
Book Dryer Vent Cleaning in Tampa Bay
If your dryer is struggling, don’t wait for a breakdown—or worse, a dangerous overheating situation.
Call Swept Away Chimney, Inc. at 727-596-5946 or book online through SweptAwayChimney.com.
We serve Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco County, including:
Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Seminole, Safety Harbor, Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, and more.
Swept Away Chimney, Inc. — Dryer Vent Cleaning That Makes Sense.