A dryer vent checklist for condo boards and property managers

In a building, one clogged dryer vent is everyone's problem. A fire that starts in one unit can damage several, and stacked units with long shared runs tend to collect lint faster than single-family vents. A once-a-year building day is the simplest way to keep every unit on schedule.

A checklist for the board

1. Know who is responsible. Check your declaration and bylaws: the vent run is often a common element even when the dryer belongs to the owner.
2. Schedule one day for the whole building. Per-unit prices drop and residents get one notice instead of several.
3. Send residents a notice two weeks ahead. Ask them to clear the area around the dryer and leave access.
4. Ask for a report per unit. Airflow before and after, photos of the hood and the transition duct, and notes on anything that needs repair.
5. Ask for a certificate of insurance from any provider before they start.
6. Keep the reports with your annual maintenance and insurance records.
7. Put it on the calendar every fall, before the winter peak in dryer fires.

What to look for in the reports

• Units with low airflow after cleaning, which usually means a crushed or disconnected duct
• Foil or vinyl transition ducts that should be replaced
• Hoods with broken flaps, missing guards or signs of nesting
• Vents that end in an attic, crawl space or garage instead of outdoors

How our building days work

We clean eight to ten standard units a day at $99–119 per unit for four or more units, with one invoice and a report for every unit. Saturday building days are available. See condo and apartment building cleaning.