5 Signs Your Dryer Vent Is Overdue — California Checklist

Run the checklist

1. Loads need more than one cycle. The #1 sign. Airflow, not age, is almost always the cause.
2. The dryer top or laundry room gets hot. Exhaust heat that should exit the house is backing up into it.
3. Lint or moisture around the exterior flap — or no flap movement at all. Go outside mid-cycle and look; strong steady airflow is a pass.
4. Musty-smelling "clean" laundry. Moist air recirculating through the drum instead of leaving.
5. A burning smell during any cycle. This is the stop sign: lint sitting near the heating element. Unplug the dryer and book service now.

Why California homes fail this list faster

Damp coastal air makes lint sticky, slab construction routes many vents through the roof (long vertical runs clog fastest), and year-round mild weather means the dryer never gets an off-season. If you checked two or more boxes — or haven't had a professional cleaning in over a year — you're due. A full-line cleaning typically runs $120–$280 in California metros and includes airflow testing before and after.

Book a Vent Cleaning