Whole-system duct and dryer vent check with before-and-after photos - you see exactly what came out of your vents
That "$99 whole-house special" is a bait ad - the real number appears once they are in your hallway, or the "clean" is a shop-vac at the register. We photograph the inside of your ducts before and after instead.
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Before
AfterGuardsman Dryer Vent Cleaning in San Antonio: What to Know First
We provide independent Guardsman dryer vent cleaning in San Antonio with written pricing delivered before any work starts, typically scheduled within 48 hours. Most Guardsman vent systems we see in San Antonio homes run $180-$340 for a full cleaning and inspection, with rerouting or bird guard installation running higher depending on access. The camera goes in first. Then we talk.
This page is for Guardsman owners in Stone Oak, Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, and across Bexar County who want a technician who can name the series, spot the known failure, and document what was actually found inside the duct run. Call (726) 600-7155 for a free written estimate.
How Guardsman Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Guardsman GSL series flex duct collapse at the termination elbow. In San Antonio’s heat, the thin-wall aluminum laminate on GSL flex duct softens where it bends to exit the wall, creating a pinch point that traps lint. We’ve pulled out solid cylinders of packed lint from these elbows in homes near Stone Oak. Our fix: replace the damaged flex section with rigid galvanized pipe at the elbow, then photograph the new airflow path before we leave.
- Guardsman GRV wall-box models with stuck damper flaps. The GRV’s gravity-close damper seizes open after two to three years of lint exposure, letting birds and wasps into the duct run. Last March we found a GRV box in Terrell Hills with a mud-dauber nest completely blocking the 4-inch throat. We clean the duct, replace the damper assembly with a quality aftermarket unit, and install a bird guard if the homeowner wants permanent protection.
- Guardsman GXL telescoping vent tubes with separated joints. The GXL’s push-fit telescoping sections back apart under vibration from the dryer blower, especially on second-floor laundry rooms common in Alamo Heights townhomes. Lint blows into the wall cavity instead of outside. We reseat with foil-backed mastic tape rated for dryer exhaust temperatures, then pressure-test the joint.
- Guardsman GSV sidewall caps with missing or degraded louvers. The plastic louvers on early GSV caps become brittle in Texas UV and snap off, leaving an open 4-inch hole. We’ve photographed GSV caps in San Antonio with zero louvers remaining and lint stains on the siding below. We replace with a metal louvered cap or a Guardsman-compatible aftermarket unit with stainless steel construction.
- Guardsman GUL under-eave vents with reverse slope drainage. The GUL’s horizontal termination can sag slightly in attic heat, creating a low spot where condensation and lint form a paste that hardens to concrete density. In a 2019-built home near the Medical Center, we chipped out a 14-inch plug of this material. We rehang the duct to proper slope and install a cleanout tee for future access.
Our Guardsman Dryer Vent Cleaning Process
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Call and scope. You describe the Guardsman model if you know it, the symptoms, and the home’s layout. We schedule and confirm by text with technician name and photo, per Haven Standard Clause 3: Verified Crews.
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Camera inspection and written price. Our tech arrives uniformed and background-checked, runs a camera scope through the full duct run, and shows you the footage. We deliver a written price before touching a tool. Haven Standard Clause 1, no exceptions.
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Parts decision. If we find a failed Guardsman component, we explain OEM versus quality aftermarket options with real part numbers you can verify. You choose before we proceed.
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Cleaning and repair. We use Rotobrush and Nikro equipment for negative-pressure extraction (suction that pulls debris out without blowing it into your home), then complete any repairs with documented photo record of before and after.
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Airflow verification. We measure exhaust velocity at the termination with an anemometer and record the reading on your job sheet. Guardsman specifies minimum 1,000 FPM for proper lint evacuation; we show you the number.
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Cleanup and guarantee. We leave the work area as found, deliver your photo record by email, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise goes into effect in writing.
BeforeAfterWhat Guardsman Dryer Vent Cleaning Costs in San Antonio
These are real ranges for Guardsman systems we service in San Antonio, based on 2013-2025 homes we’ve worked:
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Standard Guardsman vent cleaning and inspection | $180 - $260 |
| Cleaning with GSL/GXL elbow repair or replacement | $240 - $340 |
| GRV damper replacement with bird guard | $280 - $380 |
| Full vent rerouting (long runs, multiple elbows) | $420 - $650 |
| GSV or GUL cap replacement | $160 - $220 |
What moves the price: length of duct run, number of elbows, attic or crawlspace access, and whether we need to cut drywall for a hidden junction. Second-floor laundry rooms in Terrell Hills and Alamo Heights often run longer because of the vertical rise. We do not price per vent. One flat price per system, agreed in writing before work starts. Call (726) 600-7155 for your free estimate.
Why San Antonio Homeowners Call CleanRun Air Duct Cleaning San Antonio for Guardsman Work
Tomas Reyes and our crew have cleaned Guardsman vent systems in San Antonio since 2013, and we’ve learned the specific failure patterns of each series the hard way: by photographing them, naming them, and fixing them. The 365-Day Done Right Promise means if a GRV damper we installed sticks open next spring, we come back and make it right, backed in writing, not subject to manager approval.
We also service Lennox, Trane, and Carrier vent systems, so if your San Antonio home has mixed brands from a builder upgrade package, one crew handles everything without subcontracting. Every job includes the documented photo record, every technician is background-checked and uniformed, and every price is written before work starts. That’s the H.A.V.E.N. Standard.
FAQs
No. As an independent Guardsman service provider, we use warranty-safe practices and OEM or equivalent parts. Guardsman’s warranty covers manufacturing defects, not maintenance; professional cleaning by an independent technician does not affect that coverage. We document our work so you have a record if a warranty claim ever arises. Call (726) 600-7155 if you have questions about your specific model.
Replacement is necessary when the camera shows structural damage: separated GXL joints, crushed GSL flex, or corroded metal that can’t be sealed. Cleaning alone handles lint accumulation with intact ductwork. We show you the camera footage and explain which category your system falls into before quoting either option. Free estimates mean you can get that answer with no commitment.
We stock common Guardsman termination caps, dampers, and wall boxes, and we source OEM parts for current series when the job warrants it. For discontinued lines, we use quality aftermarket components from trade-recognized manufacturers that meet or exceed original specifications. You see the part and the price before we install anything.
Every 12 to 18 months for a typical household, sooner if you dry pet bedding or run multiple loads daily. San Antonio’s hard water and high summer humidity accelerate lint compaction, especially in long vent runs to side or roof terminations. Annual inspection with camera documentation lets you track buildup rather than guessing. Call (726) 600-7155 to schedule.
Verify that lint is actually making it outside during a dryer cycle, not just that clothes are drying slowly. Stand by the exterior cap: you should feel strong, warm airflow. Weak flow or lint collecting behind the dryer usually means a blockage in the duct run, not a dryer problem. Don’t disassemble the vent yourself; the flexible connectors can tear and create hidden leaks. We inspect for free and show you what the camera finds.
Written by Tomas Reyes, Owner, CleanRun Air Duct Cleaning San Antonio at CleanRun Air Duct Cleaning San Antonio, serving San Antonio and nearby areas.