Dependable service and safety are key features in a dryer, but to achieve them, you must take care of it. Fixing or replacing a dryer is a costly venture, so proper upkeep now will prevent you from having problems down the road. Here are some important dryer maintenance tips that will help.
Lint Trap
Each time you dry your laundry, lint is removed from the clothes and collected in your dryer’s lint trap. This deceptively simple device is one of your appliance’s most essential features. Without it, there comes a significant risk of fire. In fact, fire can also occur if you don’t clean it regularly. It’s recommended you do this after each load. While you’re at it, consider occasionally scrubbing your lint trap’s screen with hot, soapy water. This removes stubborn lint and residue that doesn’t otherwise come off easily.
More Cleaning
Having a lint trap doesn’t guarantee there’s not still lint building up in other areas of your dryer. If left to accumulate for too long, it can cause a fire or make your dryer malfunction. At least twice a year, you should take a vacuum with a long attachment and use it to clean out the inside of the lint trap slot. It’s also a good idea to vacuum out the gap between the dryer’s drum and the door since lint often becomes trapped here. In addition, this is a good time to clear out the external exhaust vent on the side of your house. Lint that makes it past the trap can become stuck here, which further increases the risk of fire. Remember, keeping your dryer as free of lint as possible will shorten drying time, boost efficiency and improve safety.
Replace Ventilation Ducts
Many homes feature dryer vent ducts that are made from aluminum or plastic for flexibility. These ducts are also cheap, readily available and simple to install. However, they are not considered safe to use. Ducts made from such lightweight materials are easily smashed and in the case of plastic, melted. In such an event, excess heat may build up in the dryer and start a fire. Furthermore, carbon monoxide could become a serious threat. It’s recommended you switch out any flexible ducts and install sturdier metal ones.
Stability
Like washers, dryers may lose stability due to normal use as well as from large or poorly distributed loads. If a dryer is left in an unstable position and used regularly, you can expect its parts to fail much sooner due to uneven wear. Fortunately, this is an easy problem to prevent. Once in a while, grab on and try to give your dryer a good shake. If it wobbles or tilts easily, consider moving it to a flatter location or add supports underneath.
Even with the closest and best of care, sometimes your dryer can break down. When it does, be sure to have a home protection plan from American Home Shield to help make repairs and replacements easier on you.
Post Author: andyc.
