Did you know that poorly maintained dryer vents are a major cause of residential fires in Quebec? It's not just a statistic you hear on TV - it's a reality that affects our neighborhoods.
In Montreal, North Shore and South Shore, our particular climatic conditions make maintenance even more important. Our cold winters and humid summers, not to mention urban pollution, create a perfect cocktail for the accumulation of dangerous lint in our ducts.
In this article, we'll explain why dryer vent cleaning is essential for your safety, the efficiency of your appliance, and the health of your family.
The importance of dryer vent cleaning
Fire safety: a very real risk
In Quebec, about 2% of residential fires are related to clothes dryers. That may seem like a small percentage, but when it comes to your home and your family, that's 2% too many.
Across Canada, there are some 15,000 fires caused by clothes dryers every year, of which 33% are due to lint-clogged ducts. That little cottony substance that seems so harmless? It's highly flammable.
Mohamed and Omar of Ventilation Vortex Air saw ducts so clogged that they were surprised the house hadn't caught fire yet. "Once in Saint-Hubert, we pulled out enough lint to fill three large garbage bags. The family told us that their dryer had been heating up a lot lately," says Mohamed.
Energy efficiency: save on your electricity bill
When your ducts are clogged, your dryer works 50% harder to do the same job. Imagine running with a scarf over your nose - that's exactly what happens to your appliance.
With Hydro-Québec rates, this translates directly into your electricity bill. A family on the North Shore can easily save between 30$ and 80$ per month just by having clean ducts.
[Contactez-nous pour une inspection gratuite] and see how much you can save.
Device lifetime: protect your investment
Dryers don't come cheap. When it constantly overheats because of clogged ducts, the motor wears out prematurely.
With regular maintenance, you can extend the life of your dryer by 5 to 10 years. It's an investment that quickly pays for itself.
Health and air qualityr: breathe easier at home
Clogged ducts can cause moisture to build up, leading to mold growth. These spores are then released into the air in your home.
À Montréal, avec notre pollution urbaine pis notre humidité, ces problèmes s’aggravent rapidement. Les familles avec des enfants asthmatiques ou des allergies remarquent souvent une amélioration après un bon nettoyage.
Special impact of Montreal's climate and environment
Our Quebec climate creates unique challenges for dryer vent maintenance.
Our cold winters cause condensation in the ducts. This moisture mixed with lint creates a sticky paste that clogs air passage even faster.
In summer, our high humidity means that build-up occurs more quickly. Wet lint sticks to the flue walls like glue.
Plus, our urban factors - construction dust, pollution, smog particles - add to the mix. In Montreal's multi-family dwellings, the problem is often worse because of the longer and more complex ducts.
The hardest-hit areas in our region? Montreal, the North Shore, the South Shore, Saint-Hubert and the entire Montérégie region. That's exactly where our Ventilation Vortex Air team is most often found.
Myths and facts about duct cleaning
Myth: Cleaning the lint filter is enough
Reality: The lint filter catches maybe 60-70% of the lint, but the rest continues its way down the duct. After a few years, it builds up.
"It's like thinking that by emptying your dryer tub, you've cleaned everything out," Omar explains. "The real problem is in the 6 to 20 feet of ductwork you can't see."
Myth: Only old dryers are a problem
Reality: All dryers, regardless of age or brand, produce lint. Even new Energy Star models clog up over time.
Our team cleaned ducts on dryers purchased the year before that were already problematic due to a poorly designed or too-long duct.
Myth: Home cleaning is enough
Reality: With a Canadian Tire kit, you can do light maintenance, but long ducts or ducts with curves require professional tools.
Our technicians use rotating brushes and a negative pressure suction system that creates a vacuum throughout the duct. This is impossible to reproduce with home-made tools.
Cleaning methods and frequency
Signs of a blocked duct
Your dryer talks to you, you just have to know how to listen:
- Abnormally long drying time If your jeans take 90 minutes instead of 60, that's a clear sign.
- Burnt smell : It smells musty when the dryer is running
- Excessive heat The room becomes as warm as a sauna
- Linen still damp : After a complete cycle, your clothes are still wet
- Warm to the touch dryer The exterior of the unit is hot
Recommended frequency
The Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) recommends an annual inspection. For complete cleaning, it depends on your situation:
- Family of 4 or more : 1-2 years old
- Couple without children For 2-3 year-olds
- Conduit over 15 feet Annually
- Accommodation with pets : Annually (pet hair aggravates the problem)
Professional cleaning vs. DIY
Professional cleaning isn't just vacuuming the duct.
Our process at Ventilation Vortex Air includes :
- Complete inspection with camera to view actual condition
- Rotary brushes which loosen the lint stuck to the walls
- Negative pressure suction which creates a complete vacuum
- Cleaning from the outside to keep your home dust-free
- Checking the external valve to make sure it closes properly
DIY can help with light maintenance between professional cleanings, but it's no substitute for real cleaning.
Trends and news 2025
This year, we're seeing an increase in awareness thanks to the Ville de Montréal's fire prevention campaigns. More homeowners understand the importance of maintenance.
With energy costs on the rise, families are looking for every possible way to reduce their electricity bill. A clean duct is a simple way to save.
Demand is exploding in urban areas - Montreal, Laval, North Shore, all of Montérégie. Our team of 5 certified technicians is responding to more requests than ever before.
Even if there's no law requiring cleaning, the recommendations of the RBQ and the NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) are clear: regular maintenance is essential.
Practical tips for Montreal families
Here's what you can do between professional cleanings:
After each load :
- Empty the lint filter completely
- Use your hand to remove any lint stuck to the edges.
Once a month:
- Go outside and check the outside exit
- Make sure the flap opens properly when the dryer is running.
- Remove leaves, snow or other obstructions
Watch for warning signs:
- Dryer that gets hot
- Suspicious odor during operation
- Linen remains damp after a full cycle
Annual planning : Especially if you live on the North Shore, South Shore or Saint-Hubert, schedule your professional cleaning in the fall, before the season when you use your dryer the most.
[Request your free inspection]. to see the current status of your ducts.
Protect your family with professional maintenance
Dryer vent cleaning isn't just an expense-it's an investment in your family's safety, the efficiency of your appliances, and the quality of the air you breathe.
In Montreal and on the South Shore, our particular climate makes this maintenance even more important. Humidity, cold, urban pollution - all contribute to clogging your ducts more quickly.
To protect your home on the North Shore, Montreal or the South Shore, call on a certified professional like Ventilation Vortex Air. With over 10 years of combined experience and a team of INVC-certified technicians, we've helped over 500 families breathe easier and sleep easier.
[Contact us today for your free estimate]. - available 24/7 with a flexible service that adapts to your schedule.
