A roof dryer vent needs more attention than a first-floor wall vent: the run is longer, it collects lint and moisture faster, and the exit on the roof has to be checked from up there. In Parsippany, roof access dryer vent cleaning with us is a flat $265, and a roof vent cover is $650 to replace or $850 for a new install.
Here is what to know if your dryer vents through the roof, for homes across Parsippany-Troy Hills and the rest of Morris County.
1. Why your dryer vents through the roof at all
If the dryer sits on the second floor or in the middle of the house, a roof termination is common. From the ground it looks like a small metal hood or short pipe coming up through the shingles, with flashing at the base and a cap with a flap that lifts when air flows.
2. Roof runs clog faster
Second-story and roof runs are longer and carry more elbows than a short first-floor run, so lint settles faster and packs tighter. Whirlpool's help page on long dry times says the same about any vent: increased length and elbows can reduce airflow and encourage lint build-up. The buildup that restricts airflow also traps moisture, which is why these systems clog sooner and run hotter. If your dryer vents through the roof, a yearly cleaning is the minimum, and heavy use makes a second visit worth it.
3. The exit has to be checked on the roof
Most companies clean from inside the house and never go up to where the vent ends. That can leave a clogged cap, a screen or a bird nest behind. Building code doesn't allow screens on dryer exits because they trap lint, and a blocked exit chokes the dryer no matter how clean the duct is.
Our roof access dryer vent cleaning includes going up to check the exit, a camera scope before and after, and an airflow test at the end. If we find a nest, we show you and quote it first. Nest or item removal is $100 on top of the cleaning.
4. What it costs
Our cleaning prices are flat and depend on where the vent leaves the house: $185 on the first story, $225 on a second-story wall, and $265 for roof access dryer vent cleaning. Run length and how clogged it is do not change the price. The full list is on our pricing page.
5. A ceiling stain can come from the vent
Dryer exhaust is hot and moisture laden. When it passes through uninsulated duct in an attic, exterior wall or crawl space, the moisture condenses on the cold metal, and in winter that gets worse because attic and wall temperatures are much lower. The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors lists improper dryer vent installation and lack of insulation in unconditioned spaces as common moisture problems in attics and wall cavities.
So before assuming roof failure, check whether the dryer vent runs through the area above the stain. Rob's post on whether your dryer vent is causing a ceiling leak goes through it. Roof flashing errors can mimic condensation problems too, so the hood and its flashing get checked on every roof job.
6. Replacing the roof vent cover, or putting in a new one
If you already have a roof termination that needs replacing, we replace it with a DryerJack 477 for $650. If the dryer needs a new path out through the roof, a new installation through a new roof penetration is $850.
The DryerJack is made from 26 gauge Galvalume steel with a curved damper and integrated magnets, and it sits low on the roof to minimize snow and ice buildup. Its 21 square inch opening is well over the 12.5 square inches the IRC requires for a dryer exhaust termination. Either way, the roof is flashed, the penetration is sealed with roof-grade sealant, the roof is inspected to make sure the job is watertight, and the damper is tested for proper operation and full airflow. Details are on our roof dryer vent cover page.
7. Not sure what yours needs? Start with an inspection
A dryer vent inspection is $79. We run a camera scope through the run so you see the condition on screen, and the report includes photos and recommendations for any repairs or cleaning needed. It tells you whether a roof vent needs cleaning, repair or replacement before you pay for any of them.
We are a family-owned company based in Mendham, and Parsippany-Troy Hills is one of the 15 Morris County towns we serve. To book, Schedule a Cleaning or call (973) 906-9677, and tell us the vent comes out through the roof so we plan the access.
Need help with this at your house? See our roof dryer vent cover installation.