North Vancouver · Dryer vent cleaning
When the dryer needs two cycles: a Lonsdale townhome dryer vent
Townhomes and condos around Lonsdale often have dryer vents that travel a long way before they reach outside. That's where the lint builds up.
November 6, 2026 · 2 min read · Spark Property Services
This story describes a typical situation we see in North Vancouver, not one specific customer.
The situation
A townhome owner in Central Lonsdale noticed that towels were coming out damp after a full cycle, and the laundry closet felt hot whenever the dryer ran. The dryer was only a few years old, so it didn't seem like the machine was the problem.
Outside, the vent hood on the back wall barely fluttered when the dryer was on.
Why this happens
The lint trap catches most lint, but not all of it. The rest settles along the duct, especially at bends and on long horizontal runs. In townhomes and condos, the vent often runs through a ceiling or along a wall before it reaches the outside.
As the duct narrows with lint, airflow drops. The dryer runs longer and hotter to do the same job, and built-up lint near a heat source is a fire hazard.
How we approach it
From the exterior hood end, we blow the lint out along the full length of the duct.
Because this dryer had been struggling for a while, an interior clean of the dryer side and lint trap housing is worth adding. That includes pulling the dryer out to check the transition hose, since a crushed or kinked hose restricts airflow on its own, and flexible plastic or foil hoses catch lint easily.
Finally we clear the exterior hood, check that the flap opens freely, and send before-and-after photos of the work.
For strata councils
In a complex where every unit vents the same way, it's often easiest to clean the whole building at once. We can schedule unit by unit and coordinate access notices through your property manager.
Questions we hear
How often should a townhome dryer vent be cleaned?
About once a year for most households, and more often for busy households or long vent runs.
Do you fix dryers?
No. If the vent is clear and the dryer still struggles, the dryer itself may need servicing.
