From Chimney Sweep To Dryer Vent Cleaning:
Our story began in 1987, when Gabriel Perez, a native Texan born in Abilene, founded Aaron's Great Northwest Chimney Sweep and Dryer Vent Cleaning in San Antonio, Texas after training under Carlos Garcia Chimney Sweep which was founded in 1979.
The Day I Began Cleaning Dryer Vents:
It was the 1980s, and I was working for Carlos Garcia. One day, I was in Alamo Heights cleaning a chimney, when a homeowner tapped me on the shoulder."Do you clean dryer vents?" she asked.I shook my head. "No, I don't.""But you have all the equipment you need," she said. "I think you can do it."I hesitated. I didn't know anything about cleaning dryer vents. But the homeowner was persistent, so I agreed to give it a try.I went up on the roof and examined the dryer vent. It was a straight shot down to the dryer, so I didn't think it would be too difficult. But I soon realized that my chimney cleaning brush was too big to fit inside the vent.I went back down to the homeowner and asked if she had a toilet brush. I figured the head of a toilet brush would be the right size.To my surprise, the homeowner said yes. She had just bought a new one, and she was happy to get it for me.I attached the toilet brush to my chimney cleaning rods and lowered it down the dryer vent. It worked perfectly! I was able to clean out all the lint and debris from the roof down to the dryer.When I was finished, the homeowner was so happy that she gave me a $50 tip. That was the day I began cleaning dryer vents.I know a lot more about dryer vents now and I've been inspecting them, repairing them, and cleaning them, ever since. And I'm grateful to that special lady who insisted that I clean her dryer vent all those years ago.
Why I Gave Up The Top Hat:
I gave up chimney cleaning because of the long-term health risks associated with it. Chimney sweeps are exposed to soot and other harmful particles, which can lead to bladder cancer and other health problems.In the mid-2000's, I didn’t want to continue my exposure to soot so I decided to specialize in only in dryer vents. I'm passionate about educating homeowners about the dangers of lint buildup and dryer fires. Fire prevention is key, everyone should have their dryer vent cleaned professionally at least once a year.I truly enjoy providing a valuable service to my customers, safeguarding their property and well-being. And I'm grateful for the opportunity to do something I truly enjoy.
A Valuable Lesson:
My story is a reminder that sometimes the best opportunities in life come when we least expect them. And that we should never be afraid to try new things, even if they're outside of our comfort zone.
Mentoring Opportunities:
We should always share our knowledge with others. During my career as a chimney sweep and dryer vent technician, I have had the privilege of training other technicians in the industry. Six of them went on to start their own successful dryer vent cleaning business.
Moved to Houston:
In September of 2010, my wife got a job in Houston and that prompted the sale of my business in San Antonio and the establishment of Aaron's Dryer Vent Cleaning in Houston which was sold on December 31, 2019 to a coworker.Moved to Ecuador:We had friends from Ecuador and after a scouting trip there in January 2020, on March 12, 2020 my wife and I decided to experience a different way of life by moving to a small town in Ecuador. We made many good friends there and learned to live like the locals.
Fast Forward To February 2023:
After spending almost 3 years doing volunteer work in Ecuador we decided it was time to return to my adopted hometown of San Antonio. I am now back in business as AALPS DRYER VENT CLEANING promoting dryer fire safety and fighting the lack of awareness of the importance of dryer vent maintenance. Sadly, many homeowners do not realize that neglecting their dryer vent is a potential fire hazard for their home.I plan to use my years of professional expertise to continue to provide excellence in customer satisfaction for the Greater San Antonio area and the surrounding areas of South Texas.
As you can see in the photos below, collection of lint in the dryer vent can easily become a fire hazard.
Dryer lint can cost you a mint!