5 Ways to Keep Your Dryer Running Healthy and Happy Longer

 

If you are like most people in the United States, you rely on your appliances to make your life more comfortable and easy to manage. The good news is that most of them will last a long time on their own. Even if you do nothing for your appliances they are built to last. For example, if you have a gas range, it should be around for at least 15 years. Your refrigerator should be with you for at least 13 years. If you do not need any dryer repairs, that handy appliance should be around for about 13 years as well.

The problem is that when they do break down, say you need to bring in someone to help with a dryer repairs or washing machine repairs, it will set you back anywhere between $254 to $275. That was the typical cost to do things like oven repairs in 2014. There are some things you can do at home to prevent needing to bring in a contractor or replace your appliances. Your dryer is one appliance that should last a decent amount of time but the proper care and feeding of the unit will keep it around longer.

Tips to avoid needing the dryer repair company:

1. Keep your lint filter clean. After every load of clothing that you do, clean your lint filter or screen. Pay attention to how long it takes to dry your clothes. If you notice, you are putting your items in for the same amount of time but they are not getting as dry, this may be an indication that your exhaust duct or the screen is clogged or just blocked by something. Check your lint filter or screen for any tears or rips in it. If you find problems with the lint filter or screen, replace it immediately.
2. Pay attention to the duct material. If you have a flexible foil duct for your dryer, you should consider changing that out for a corrugated material that is semi rigid or a rigid plastic. This is recommended by most dryer repair experts and dryer manufacturers. The rigid ducts are better for air flow. The flexible foil ducts can trap lint and get clogged more easily. It should be noted that you should never put in vinyl hosing for this purpose.
3. Replace for dryer duct every few years. You should keep an eye on the duct, regardless of what kind of material it is made from. Every few years, you should inspect the duct and clean or replace is based on what you find. You can hire a dryer repair company to do this for you or you can do it yourself. You usage of the dryer may dictate that you inspect your duct and clean or replace it more often. If the dryer vents are located more than six feet from the outdoors or if you have a very small dryer, you will need to pay more attention to the ducts. Clogged ducts can be more problematic than just needing to bring in the dryer repair person, they can become fire hazards.
4. Check the outside venting area. Your duct work for your dryer vents to the outside. That is a good thing but does have a drawback. Wasps love to make a home in the exhaust end point. To keep these dangerous pests out of your duct work for your dryer, you can install a screen. This can also keep snow, rain and dirt out of the duct. You will keep your dryer running better when you have this on the outside.
5. Put a smoke and carbon monoxide detector near your dryer. You really only need the latter if you have a gas powered dryer but you need the former in all cases. If there is a problem with your dryer and a fire does start, this is the best way to be able to get to it and control it before it consumes your home.

We all love our appliances and do not want to bring in someone to do refrigerator repairs, dishwasher repairs or dryer repairs. We can do simple things to keep our appliance working well.