A customer told me my dryer vent cleaning was too aggressive and it actually made me rethink my whole technique

She pointed out I was using a brush that was scratching the interior flexible ducting, and after checking her manual I realized she was right about the damage risk, so now I use a softer nylon brush on any newer systems - has anyone else had to adjust their approach based on homeowner feedback like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

harper_foster1mo ago

Oh wow, 36 years and never a scratch? Maybe her duct is just built different, or maybe you've been lucky and nobody's noticed yet, lol. I mean, it's easy to get set in your ways after that long, but one wrong move with a stiff brush on the wrong material and you're apologizing for a damaged flex duct. I had a customer once tell me my blower was too loud, turns out she just hated the sound of air moving and wanted me to use a leaf blower instead, which is definitely not happening. Honestly, sometimes homeowners just want to feel like experts, and you gotta roll your eyes a little while still double checking your tools. But hey, if a softer brush works and keeps everyone happy, why not, right?

thompson.reese1mo ago

36 years doing this and I've never scratched a duct with a standard brush - sounds like she might have been confusing normal wear with damage from something else.