Vent Busters

Thank You!

Your appointment has been accepted! We will text/email you a confirmation. We will also send a reminder the day before our appointment. Mark will text you about 20 minutes on the way. Payment is expected at time of service. The technician can collect card, check or cash.

Appointment Tips

Pets & Kids

I'm comfortable around most dogs, cats, kids, and other animals, so no worries there. Just be mindful of toolbags and equipment.

The Clothes Dryer

Please don't uninstall the dryer before I arrive. The installation of the machine provides valuable insights into possible issues. Additionally, I have specific methods for moving the machine onto your floors.

Attic & Crawlspace

If any issues arise, I may need to access your attic or crawl space. Please be prepared if the access point is in a bedroom or closet, for example.

I'll Try Not to Fall

With over 15 years of experience in climbing ladders, roofs, attics, and confined spaces, rest assured that I'm an advanced climber.

Communication

To keep you updated on my progress, I'll send you pictures via text during the appointment. Have your phone handy.

No Boots in the House

In most homes, I prefer to remove my shoes to avoid tracking in dirt or wetness. I won't walk on carpeted areas with shoes on. I carry shoe covers as well, just ask.

I Don't Care if You Watch

You're welcome to be as involved in the cleaning as you'd like. Feel free to ask questions and engage in discussions while I work. If you're occupied with Zoom calls or other tasks, that's perfectly fine too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dryer Vent Cleaning

Laundry Room Assessment: We will carefully evaluate your laundry room. Please ensure that there are no items on the floor or on top of the dryer. Once we start, we will need to pull out the machine. Dryer Inspection: We will inspect the dryer and its installation by running it. We prefer to unhook the machine and pull it out, so please avoid disconnecting anything if possible. Before our arrival, please refrain from running the dryer and make sure it is empty. Vent Inspection and Cleaning: We will check the outside vent and take initial airflow readings. Based on our observations, we will provide recommendations and commence the cleaning process. Your Involvement: You are welcome to be as involved as you like. We keep you informed by texting pictures of the work in progress. Once complete, our technician will explain the accomplished tasks, expectations, maintenance tips, and a cleaning schedule. Payment can be made directly to the technician using credit card, check, or cash.

Most dryer fires and efficiency issues start at the hose that connects your dryer to the ductwork. The installation of the machine plays a huge role. Simply cleaning out the vent and ignoring the installation can be dangerous and careless. Most dryer transition hoses I inspect can be improved or are in need of repair. When I leave your home I want to guarantee the entire system is clean, efficient and safe. Besides, pulling out the dryer provides a good time to find all those missing socks and hangers!

Yes. Airflow and safety issues start at the transition hose that connects the dryer to the ductwork. All of our cleanings come with high heat, UL listed installations.

In the event that your dryer exhausts to the roof it is very important to make sure the roof cap is working properly. Roof runs tend to get clogged at the cap and can cause a heavy blockage even if the duct is clean. I usually clean the vent from the laundry room to the roof. A camera is sent up the pipe to the roof cap and checked for issues. If there is heavy build up or an issue with the baffle we will manually clean it. I can access most roofs but in the event of a dangerous pitch or tricky placement the roof cap can usually be cleaned from the attic.

I protect floors and carpets by using thick canvas and hard skid mats to pull the machine out. The legs of the dryer never come into contact with the flooring. If you have a heavy stack setup or laundry center I carry an inflatable appliance mover that lifts the machines and floats them out with little effort. Not damaging floors is a top priority and taken very seriously.

If you suspect there is a problem or there is a "zero airflow" situation I will usually go inspect the actual pipe. Before the cleaning we perform a variety of pressure and visual tests. If I detect a problem then I will go for a full inspection and come up with a solution.

I prefer to take my shoes off at the door. I do a lot of in and out and taking booties on and off is a tripping hazard. If you prefer I always have fresh booties and shoe covers available. Either way I will never walk on carpeting with boots on and will not track dirt/mud into the home.

No. Some companies will low ball a "service price" to get in the door and then charge more based on the length of the run. My price is based on how difficult it is to access behind the dryer and the outside vent cap. The length of the vent doesn't play a role in price as the cleaning procedure is the same.

Bird Nest Removal

Bathroom vents are very delicate and require special care to clean out properly. We have an arsenal of tools to safely extract the nesting without damaging the vent. We pull out pine straw, wood chips, poop and other nesting the birds bring into the vent. Once the vent is clear we provide a guard suitable for your siding.

Bathroom vents are made of an insulated flexible core. This is the same type of vent modern HVAC systems use. It is very delicate and birds can rip into it. Once the outer core is punctured the birds gain access to your ceilings, walls, attics, etc. The damage can be in the thousands. Birds bring disease, bugs, mold and smells. Your fan will circulate the contaminated air back into the bathroom whenever you are taking a shower…

If a bathroom vent is severely damaged and cannot be cleaned the only alternative is to replace the entire vent. This requires access to the attic or ceilings and becomes a bigger project. If we find any of the vents are beyond cleaning we will inform you and come up with a solution for replacement.

We offer a variety of pest proof guards and vent caps. The standard service includes a plastic guard and hood. There are also options for metal guards and premium vent caps.

In our experience Wildlife services shy away from dealing with nests in vents. We have come across plenty of homes where the wildlife services simply installed a guard and left the nest to rot inside the vent. Our guess is that they know the high likelihood of the vent being damaged and aren't equipped to deal with it.

The majority of bird nests we come across are empty after May. If we find a live nest we can setup one way exits onto the vent. This will allow the birds to leave when they are ready but cannot get back in. If you choose we can reschedule for a later date after the birds develop and leave the nest. We are not a wildlife service and cannot "rescue" the birds.

Dryer Vent Repair & Installation

Dryer vents are supposed to be built using heavy duty metal ductwork and have a short clear path to the outside. Unfortunately home builders and handymen used inferior materials for decades and many homes across Greensboro are having issues with failed vents and exhausting into the structure of the home or sometimes no where at all! Flexible tubing, plastic, PVC and even improperly installed metal duct work can trap moisture and lint. If the installer was careless enough to use these cheap materials they usually don't do a great job at sealing or securing the vent either. This leads to broken vents, moisture problems, long dry times and can even cause a fire.

Dryer vents are usually installed in the dark recesses of our homes. Attics, crawl spaces, basements and other hard to reach areas. It can be hard to tell where the vent is or what kind of condition it is in. During any cleaning or evaluation call we are able to run tests on the vent to check for issues and are experts at navigating these hard to reach places for inspection. If there is any type of white plastic tubing or flexible material involved beyond the actual dryer hookup, there is reason for concern.

It usually isn't as bad as you would think. My customers always have a sigh of relief when I give them my price. There is always great value in the work we put into a replacement or repair project versus the cost to the customer.

Have Vent Busters out to evaluate your system. We will pinpoint any issues and provide a clear explanation and gameplan to resolve them.

Vent Cover Repair

A properly working dryer vent cover or cap is crucial for several reasons. 1) Adds curb appeal to your home. 2) Cuts off oxygen supply in the event of a dryer fire. 3) Stops cold air from entering the duct which can create condensation and back pressure. 4) Adds a layer of bird and pest protection. Contact us for more information.

Plastic vent caps and covers are a cost effective solution for dryer and bathroom exhausts. We offer a variety of options depending on your home's siding. The negative of plastic covers is they will fade & deteriorate in direct sunlight. Lifespan can be anywhere from 2-7 years depending on the height and amount of sun. They tend to last longer lower to the ground or in a shaded application. Plastic covers can also cause more back pressure and promote lint buildup in dryer vents. Our metal vent caps are made in the USA, super efficient and available in more colors and finishes than plastic options. A high quality metal vent cap can last decades without the need of replacement. They are very attractive, offer advanced pest protection, reduce back pressure and allow better air flow from dryers, bathroom fans and kitchen exhaust.

We can replace and upgrade any dryer, bath, microwave, downdraft, hood or soffit exhaust. Contact us for a quote and discounts for multiple vent cap replacements.