The best thing in order to avoid having to call an appliance repair service for your dryer, or other laundry appliance, is prevention.? As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Hopefully your laundry appliances will last for years to come with a bit of tending loving care, but in the event something goes awry, there are a few things you can check before you make that phone call for dryer appliance repair.
Installation and Preventative Maintenance
When you first install your laundry appliances, be sure to keep your warranty information in a safe place. Your use and care guide offers handy tips about operating your dryer and provides helpful warranty information if you should need repairs before your warranty expires. Newer dryer appliances can have parts which are quite expensive, some of which might be covered if they should fail after the warranty expires.
You should always check to make sure your electrical outlet is the correct one for your dryer type. Gas dryers use a 120-volt outlet while electric dryers require a 240-volt outlet. If you have concerns about your electrical service panel and whether or not it can properly support your laundry appliances, you should check with a qualified electrician.? The proper ventilation for your dryer is particularly important if you have a gas dryer, as is the hook-up to the gas line. For novices, this is best left to appliance professionals who are experts in safely hooking up and properly venting gas dryers.
Whether you have an electric or gas dryer, your dryer venting kit should be composed of stainless steel, not plastic. Plastic venting can overheat and cause a fire. An inexpensive investment in good-quality venting can help you avoid catastrophic consequences and is a small price to pay for peace of mind. Lead by example and teach your family members to always clean out the internal lint trap inside the dryer with every use.
Periodically check the electrical cord and plug on your dryer for signs of wear and tear and make sure it has room to hang comfortably and does not get crushed. Laundry appliances have a tendency to shift due to excessive washer movement and this can hinder the electrical cords. Lastly, if you have a gas dryer, consider investing in a carbon monoxide detector. If the detector goes off and you suspect there is an issue with your dryer, don’t use it until you have it checked by a qualified professional. If you ever smell gas, shut off the gas supply valve going to the dryer and if you continue to smell gas, shut off the next gas valve in your supply lines and call your utility company immediately, away from the source of gas.
Dryer issues?
Some of the most common issues with dryers occur when dryers simply refuse to start or they run and do not turn off. If your dryer will not start, it could be an issue with the door switch, a component in the main console or the motor that turns the drum. Sometimes the dryer will not shut off even when the door is opened or one has to manually turn the dial to “off” in order to get the dryer to stop. If your dryer won’t shut off, again, it could be an issue with the door switch or a main console component. As a quick temporary fix you can shut it off by simply unplugging it.
If your dryer stops in mid-cycle, it could be from a thermal fuse which shuts the motor off if your dryer starts to overheat. If your dryer frequently blows its fuse or trips the circuit breaker, the problem could stem from a faulty vent. If your clothes seem to take a lot longer to dry, try cleaning out the lint trap and check the venting to make sure it is not clogged. For an electric dryer, the fuse that turns the drum may be working, but the fuse that heats the dryer may have blown.
Lastly, if your dryer works but develops an annoying squeak or some other type of noise, there are quite a few internal parts that could be the culprit including the drum bearings, the drive belt, the drum glides or the idler pulley.
If you are having an issue with your dryer, it is important that any repairs performed are completed properly. Don’t continue to use your dryer when you know there is definitely a problem. The best thing to do after performing basic checks is to call for service.
For more information on dryer repair and other appliance repairs for your home, please contact us.