Maintenance Task:  Annual dryer cleaning and maintenance

Annual dryer maintenance involves the following 5 tasks:

• Clean lint build-up from vent system.  Out of the back of your dryer you'll find a pipe, usually 4-5 inches in diameter, which goes through the wall of your house to the outside.  Outside there is a "flap vent" that swings open automatically from air pressure when the dryer is running, then closes when the dryer shuts off.  The entire piping and flap vent should be inspected and cleaned of lint or any obstructions.  Seal any hose joints with duct tape.

• Clean behind and underneath dryer.  Moisture, dirt, and lint tend to accumulate behind and underneath your dryer.  Pull the dryer out from the wall and wipe these areas with a damp rag.

• Scrub the lint trap.  Chemical fabric softeners often clog the small holes in lint traps.  Remove the lint trap and scrub it with a soft bristle brush and mild soap or detergent.

• Check the balance of your dryer.  A dryer that is not level on the ground will cause its' rotating components to wear out sooner.  If the dryer moves, shakes, or is not level, adjust the feet at the bottom of the unit.

• Clean and inspect burner (gas models).  For dryers that heat with natural gas or propane, the burner should be cleaned and inspected according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Build-up of lint can cause several problems:

• Safety:  lint is flammable, and can be touched off by the heating element in the dryer, or a spark from the motor, switch, etc.

• Loss of Efficiency:  A clogged vent pipe or stuck flap vent reduces the dryer's capacity to dry clothes, requiring the unit to run longer, which uses more energy and shortens its service life.

• Heat Loss:  A flap vent that doesn't close properly allows heat or cooling to escape from the house.  

• Pests:  A flap vent that doesn't close properly also leaves an opening for insects and other pests to potentially come through.

• Extending useful life: an unbalanced dryer will cause its rotating components to wear out sooner.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS from "Ask-a-Wizard":

QUESTION from "JD": 

Is it normal to see the coils of the dryer glow red, behind the screen on the inside, upon opening the dryer in middle of a cycle?

ANSWER:

Dear JD:

It sounds like you have a GAS fired dryer, and what you are seeing is the "glow coil", or on some models, its called the "glow bar".

Yes, usually this will glow an intense bright yellow orange color when a gas dryer is operating. It is part of the igniter that fires the gas which heats the dryer.

To be sure that this is what you are seeing on your particular model, you should contact your specific manufacturer.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from angelique on 4/4/2008:

my dryer has developed a banging noise when it is running. it sounds like it's unbalanced, but it is sitting straight on the floor and nothing inside seems loose. is there something i can do to fix this?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM 4/4/2008:

Dear angelique:

It sounds like you your dryer may have a bad Blower Wheel, which is causing the banging noise that you are hearing (especially if the banging noise continues for a few sections after you turn your dryer off). 

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from randy on 2/22/2008:

does gas clothes dryer vent have to be vented to the outside.it is only vented to a water lent trap behind dryer is this safe and ok.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM 2/22/2008:

Dear Randy:

Yes, a gas dryer should ABSOLUTELY be vented to the outside of your home.

Gas clothes dryers do not have separate flues for the byproducts of the burnt gas. These dangerous by-products of gas burning (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc.) come out through the dryer vent. 

And as such, you need to be sure that your dryer vent exits your home, and that there are no leaks in your vent ducting.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com

QUESTION from Hayes Wellington on 8/31/2008
My dryer wont heat up. Its not the lint trap. It wont heat and go through the cycle. What could it be? How do I fix......Help before my wife hurts me!!!

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 8/31/2008
Dear Hayes:

Here is a webpage that describes how to troubleshoot a dryer that will not heat up (note that there is a section for gas dryers, and one for electric dryers):

http://hubpages.com/hub/Why-Wont-My-Dryer-Make-Heat

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Shawn on 9/2/2008
How do I replace the blower wheel in my dryer?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 9/2/2008
Dear Shawn:

Here's a webpage that describes how to replace a blower wheel on a Maytag brand dryer. The procedure for yours may be similar, but will depend on the particular brand of dryer that you have.

http://fixitnow.com/2004/05/mailbag-maytag-or-magic-chef-dryer.htm

Remember, be sure to UNPLUG your dryer before attempting any work on it.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from justme7 on 12/4/2009
I have a Kenmore heavy duty ultra fabric care 80 series washer/dryer. I would like to know a generalized capacity for them. I have a couple roommates who like to overload the washer/dryer. It would be nice to have a run down of what the washer/dryer is expected to clean...ex " 5 pairs of jeans, or 10 T shirts...

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 12/4/2009
Dear justme7

. . . that's a good question.

To know the capacity of this particular model of washing machine, I would suggest that you contact Kenmore customer service. Here is there toll-free phone number:

1-800-549-4505

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com

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QUESTION from grmendo on 1/8/2010
How do I replace the door handle on a Kenmore Elite dryer mod #110.92822102?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM on 1/8/2010
Dear grmendo:

You should be able to order the replacement handle from Sears online from http://www3.sears.com/, or by calling them at 1-800-252-1698.

When you talk to them, hopefully they can direct you to an exploded diagram for this particular model dryer that shows how the door handle can be re-installed.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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