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Clothes Dryer Maintenance
Jun 25, 2009
System & Appliance Maintenance - Clothes Dryer

Clothes Dryer

Keeping your dryer entirely lint free is easy, improves energy efficiency and safety from lint fires.

Inspect & Clean
Annually you should inspect the vent pipe from your dryer to the outside of your house (where the flap door is that opens when the dryer is on and venting). It should be cleaned of lint and dust and properly attached with no holes or cracks. If it is damaged, it must be replaced or repaired properly.

Clean the floor under, behind and around your dryer to remove lint and dirt that naturally collects. You will need to safely move your dryer to do this properly.

Level Your Dryer
Make sure your dryer's feet are level on the ground as this balances the dryer properly and will extend the life of your dryer.

Dryer Flap
Make sure the flap on the outside of your house opens and closes properly to prevent the loss of energy from your home. Pests can enter through flaps that don't close properly and your dryer will run longer, wasting energy and life if the flap does not open properly.

If you have a gas dryer, the burner should be cleaned and inspected according to manufacturer's instructions.

If Your Unit is not Working
If you have a problem with your clothes washer not working, as with all systems or appliances, check for blown fuses, tripped circuit breakers and proper power first.
Title Description
Ceiling and Exhaust Fan Maintenance Clean the blades of the fan every week. This ensures the best possible flow of air, besides consuming less electricity. Generally the top portion above the blade is the dirtiest one.
Built-In Microwave Maintenance Turn off the oven and remove the power plug from the wall socket before cleaning.
Sump Pump Maintenance Five to seven years is the typical life span on a sump pump, but this will vary based on usage. The pump may fail unexpectedly or be unable to keep up during periods of heavy rain leaving your basement vulnerable to costly water damage.
Roofing Maintenance You must keep your roof clean, pressure washed and treated to greatly reduce the chances for moss, dry root, and fire during the dry summer season.
Trash Compactor Maintenance By cleaning both the exterior and interior of your trash compactor with an antibacterial soap you can eliminate odor and keep mold from growing on and in your appliance.
Burglar and Fire Alarm Systems Maintenance Test and calibrate alarm sensors per the manufacturers specifications.
Whirl Pool Bath Maintenance Drain and replace spa water every 60-90 days, depending on usage.
Garage Door Maintenance Do not leave the garage door partially open. This creates strain on the cables, pulleys, and springs on the door and increases natural wear and tear of the system.
Fall Home Maintenance Guide With the fall and winter months upon us, now is the time to do some routine maintenance around your home to prepare for the changing weather ahead.
Refrigerator/Freezer Maintenance Clean coils, clean the inside regularly, shut refrigerator door, check your seal.
Oven Maintenance Keep your hood and fan/filter clean. They catch the grease and moisture from your cooking and need regular cleaning. Do not clean exposed metal with abrasive pads or powders.
Garbage Disposal Maintenance You can easily sharpen the blades in your unit and clean them by placing a few ice cubes in, grinding them and flushing the disposal with cold water.
Clothes Washer Maintenance It is a good idea to check your washing machine for leaks, examine the hoses and clean filters about once a year to make sure you do not experience damage from any water leaks.
Clothes Dryer Maintenance Keeping your dryer entirely lint free is easy, improves energy efficiency and safety from lint fires.
Water Heater Maintenance It is important to maintain your water heater for efficiency, safety and the life of the unit. It is a fairly expensive and important piece of household equipment.
Heating System Maintenance You need to have your furnace serviced annually by a competent professional for efficiency and safety. It is if not the most expensive, it's one of the most expensive and important systems in your home and complicated.
Air Conditioning System Maintenance Your central air conditioning system needs to be maintained regularly not only for your comfort, but safety and efficiency. It is an expensive system and contains several components, using a significant amount of energy.
Plumbing System Maintenance Drain piles can clog and valves and fittings develop leaks. Small leaks usually grow and can cause major water damage in your home. Fixing leaks right away and keeping an eye and ear out for them is critical.