Dryer repair, gas and electric
No heat, long dry times and noisy drums are usually straightforward repairs. We also check the vent, because a blocked vent is behind many dryer problems.
What it's doing, and what is usually behind it
These are the faults we're called for most. The real cause is confirmed by testing, not guessing.
- Tumbles but no heat (electric)
- A burned-out heating element, a blown thermal fuse or a failed thermostat. Sometimes one half of the double breaker has tripped, which lets the drum turn with no heat.
- Tumbles but no heat (gas)
- A weak igniter, worn gas valve coils or a flame sensor that has failed.
- Takes two or three cycles to dry
- Almost always restricted airflow: lint in the vent line, a crushed hose behind the dryer or a stuck outside flap.
- Drum won't turn
- A broken drive belt, a seized idler pulley or a failed motor.
- Squealing, thumping or scraping
- Worn drum rollers, a noisy idler pulley or worn drum glides. Small parts, and far cheaper than a new dryer.
- Won't start
- A door switch, a blown thermal fuse or a worn start switch.
- Gets very hot or shuts off early
- A blocked vent or a cycling thermostat that no longer regulates. Stop using the dryer until it has been checked.
Before you call
A few of these calls end with a two-minute fix. Try these first. If nothing changes, we're a phone call away.
- Clean the lint screen, then wash it with soap and water if dryer sheets have left a film.
- Pull the dryer out and make sure the vent hose isn't crushed or disconnected.
- Check that the flap on the outside vent opens freely when the dryer runs.
- For an electric dryer, switch the double breaker fully off and back on.
Slow drying is a safety issue
Lint that can't leave through the vent collects inside the cabinet and next to the heat source. If loads take much longer than they used to, or the top of the dryer is hot to the touch, have it looked at before you run it again.
Common questions
Do you service ventless and heat pump dryers?
Yes. Condenser and heat pump dryers are common in Bay Area condos and flats. They need their filters and condenser cleaned on a schedule, and we can show you how.
Do you clean dryer vents?
We clear and inspect the vent connection as part of a dryer repair. If the run through the wall or roof needs a full cleaning, we'll tell you what we found.
Book dryer repair
Call and tell us what the appliance is doing. We call back within 2 hours during business hours if we miss you.