Repair Faulty Dryer Vents: Advice from the Santa Rosa Wizard

Dryer vent repair and maintenance: If you are on track with your appliance maintenance schedule then you are ahead of most people. Have you included dryer vent cleaning in your maintenance schedule? Unfortunately, many people do not give dryer vent cleaning a thought. If you have never had professional dryer vent cleaning done then chances are likely that you do not have the best dryer exhaust system. A professional inspection will indicate if dryer vent repair or replacement is necessary for your dryer to work safely and efficiently.

UL Rating

The UL rating should be printed somewhere on the information about the parts that make up your dryer vent system. While most of the more recent clothes dryers that have been installed are UL approved, there are many people using clothes dryers that have been in place for many years, or have just changed out the dryer, but not the dryer vent system. If this is the case with you, then it would be a good idea to have a dryer vent specialist do a complete inspection to be sure your dryer vent system meets current safety standards.

Shortest Distance

Dryer ducts should be routed so that the distance from the back of your dryer to the dryer vent outside is as short as possible. The dryer vent system carries heat and moisture from your home and the further it needs to travel the harder your dryer is working. Additionally, the more line there is to make it through the greater the chance of lint becoming trapped in the dryer vent system causing a fire hazard and reducing the efficiency of your dryer.

Too Many Bends

Some dryer lines have a lot of bends and turns before making it to the vent outside. These turns will restrict airflow from your dryer, reducing the performance and increasing drying time and energy consumption.

Smooth Material

Dryer ducts should be smooth inside to improve airflow and reduce lint build-up. Pieces should be joined with foil tape (not duct tape), rather than sheet metal screws that will protrude to the inside and catch lint. Do you have a rigid metal dryer vent system or are you using the old-fashioned, vinyl or flexible foil type? If you are not sure, then it is likely that you have a potential safety hazard that you are not aware of.


Rhonda Nole owns Dryer Vent Wizard, specializing in dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair, dryer vent installation, dryer vent inspections and all dryer vent services for homes and businesses in the Greater North Bay area, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Sonoma, Cotati, Napa, Petaluma, San Rafael, Greenbrae, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Sausalito, San Anselmo, Tiburon, Sebastopol, Windsor, Healdsburg, Graton, Kenwood, Kentfield and neighboring cities and communities.

95401, 95402, 95403, 95404, 94928, 95476, 94928, 94558, 94952, 94954, 94999, 94901, 94904, 94939, 94941, 94965, 94960, 94920, 95472, 95492, 95448, 95444, 95409, 94904, 95405, 95406, 95407, 95409, 94928, 95476, 94931, 94559, 94953, 94955, 94975, 94903, 94904, 94939, 94941, 94965, 94960, 94920, 95472, 95492, 95448, 95444, 95452, 94914

Dryer Vent Repair and Dryer Fire Prevention Tips from the Wizard of Santa Rosa, CA

Dryer Fire Prevention Tips in Addition to Dryer Vent Cleaning

A lot of articles have been published about dryer vent repair, dryer vent cleaning and fire prevention. Besides dryer vent repair and cleaning, there is another issue to take into consideration; storage in the laundry area.

Your laundry room is not just a place to wash your clothes, but also often a place for storing a number of things including cleaning supplies, grocery bags, tools and anything else that seems to belong there. If your dryer is in your garage, you may even have some flammable materials and other garage-type items stored nearby. While this may seem to be a perfect place to store things, your desire to have a neat house could also be presenting a danger to your family and your home.

It is important to remember that a clothes dryer is a machine that creates heat to do its job; therefore, anything that is combustible should be kept well away from the dryer. This not only means open and closed containers of combustible chemicals, but also any rags or other items that may have those chemicals on them. Your mechanic is great at cleaning up all the fuels and chemicals he uses after working on the car, but those rags that were being used, which are now soaked in fuels and oils, are a wick just waiting for an ignition source.

Next, you should consider any other items near the clothes dryer. While you may not think things like your dog food bag or the plastic bags from the supermarket are a real fire hazard, just remember the basic premise of a dryer. It heats. That means anything near it is going to get hot. Think of a mess of plastic bags melting to the side of your dryer and that is just the messy part. It is important to remember that a clothes dryer can give off sparks. If those sparks land on cold tile or something that is resistant to heat, that's ok, but if you have papers, plastic bags and other easy to light items in the area you could be setting yourself up for disaster.

Be careful what is stored around your clothes dryer and do not place rags that have been soaked in flammable substances in your dryer, even if they have been washed. Residue can remain; these rags should be line-dried.

Rhonda provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair and dryer vent installation for residential customers and commercial businesses in the Greater North Bay area, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Sonoma, Cotati, Napa, Petaluma, San Rafael, Greenbrae, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Sausalito, San Anselmo, Tiburon, Sebastopol, Windsor, Healdsburg, Graton, Kenwood, Kentfield and neighboring cities and communities.

95401, 95402, 95403, 95404, 94928, 95476, 94928, 94558, 94952, 94954, 94999, 94901, 94904, 94939, 94941, 94965, 94960, 94920, 95472, 95492, 95448, 95444, 95409, 94904

Dryer Vent Repair will fix the Problem says the Wizard of Santa Rosa

Dryer vent repair and maintenance is the likely cure for most clothes dryer problems. The dryer vent system is responsible for providing adequate airflow which is the most important function for a clothes dryer to work efficiently. Dryer lint build-up in dryer ducts is the most common cause of mechanical problems associated with clothes dryers.

There are several other common things that can prevent a clothes dryer from working properly. Here is a guide for troubleshooting dryer problems:

The Dryer won’t Start

Don’t get me wrong; this may sound lame, but check to see if the dryer is plugged in. Also, check the circuit breaker or fuse. Many homeowners have been embarrassed when the technician comes in and bills them for a service call when all they had to do was plug the dryer in. There are reasons the dryer could have been unplugged; maybe you were doing some spring cleaning and the cord was in the way or it came loose when you were sweeping behind the dryer. Cats seem to like to go where they shouldn’t; it’s possible the cat brushed by and the cord came loose.

Check the timer to see if it is working; you should be able to hear it clicking as it moves. Check the start switch for loose connections or broken wires. Make sure the door closes properly to engage the door switch.

Drum Turns but no Heat

Check to be sure the gas is on. Yes, this is another simple, obvious solution that could save you some money. Make sure the door seal fits tight; check for signs of wear. Check the thermostat

Dryer Runs – Drum doesn’t Turn

The door must close properly so the switch is engaged. Also be sure the dryer isn’t overloaded. If this doesn’t resolve the problem, the drum belt could be loose or the bearings might be worn. The manual should have instructions on how to tighten or replace the belt. While you’re checking the belt, look for other items that could be rubbing against the drum.

The Dryer makes loud Thumping or Scraping Noises

There are a number of things that can cause this problem, including a loose drum belt, worn bearings or the drum support roller. Worn bearing can cause sparks inside the dryer; this could be a fire hazard.

Clothes take Longer to Dry

This is a very common problem that eventually happens with most dryers; but do not be fooled into thinking your dryer is worn out and needs to be replaced. This is a myth; there is most likely nothing wrong with the dryer. The problem is lint build-up in the dryer ducts; this is a fire hazard. The dryer needs to be pulled away from the wall and the dryer duct needs to be cleaned. Lint blockages in the dryer vent system will prevent the dryer from expelling hot air; the heat is trapped in the system and the combustible lint catches fire.

Lint can also be built up around the dryer drum, on the motor or heating element. Manufacturers recommend professional annual dryer vent cleaning to be sure your clothes dryer is working safely and efficiently.

Always unplug the dryer before attempting to take it apart to check for problems. If you are unable to diagnose or fix the problem yourself then you need to call a professional.

In most cases, simple dryer vent repairs or a good dryer vent cleaning will solve problems with clothes dryers. Inadequate dryer vent systems are the cause of most dryer malfunctions; failure to clean dryer vents in the number one cause of dryer fires. Most dryer vent cleaning specialists can do the simple repairs like tightening belts and pulleys or replacing bearings to give you peace of mind and save you a lot of money in appliance repair and energy cost.

Rhonda Nole of Dryer Vent Wizard provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair and installation for consumers in the Greater North Bay area of California. She also spends time explaining proper dryer vent maintenance to her customers to help them prevent dryer fires and save money on energy bills. Read more articles by Rhonda at http://www.northerncaliforniadryervent.com/

Dryer Vent Repair Advice from the Santa Rosa, CA Wizard

Dryer Vent Repair for Dryer Efficiency Santa Rosa, California

The most important thing your clothes dryer needs is clear exhaust; most dryers fail to operate as a result of inadequate dryer vent systems. Improperly maintained dryer vent systems can lead to premature failure of bearings, drum rollers, motor, element and other critical parts.

Indications of improper dryer venting includes:

Longer drying time; more than one cycle to dry a load
Clothes are unusually hot at the end of the dryer cycle
Dryer is noisy – thumping scraping sounds
Dryer repeatedly shuts off before clothes are dry
Automatic sensors fail to shut off
Clothes have a moldy or smoky smell after dryer cycle
Dryer cabinet is hot when dryer is running

Dryer Vent Repair for Consumers in Santa Rosa, California

Dryer vent repair is necessary if you are experiencing any of the above listed problems. The dryer vent system through which dryer exhaust travels is critical in keeping your home free of excess heat and moisture. The health of your dryer vent system is directly related to the stress that is placed on the dryer. Failure to repair and maintain your dryer vent system will lessen the lifespan of your dryer.

Typical Dryer Vent Repairs for Santa Rosa Customers

Check the dryer vent to be sure the clamps are tight; often a loose clamp causes a dryer vent become disconnected.

Vinyl or flexible foil dryer venting is no longer considered acceptable for dryer ducts. Replace this with 4-inch rigid metal piping. Connect it to the dryer with a pipe clamp and seal joints with foil tape (not duct tape!)

If you have a good dryer vent exhaust system that meets city, state and manufacturer’s codes and you are still experiencing problems then a good cleaning is necessary to remove lint build-up.

Dryer vent cleaning is recommended annually to maintain a safe, efficient clothes dryer. Failure to maintain dryer vent systems is the number one cause of dryer fires and increased energy bills.

Dryer Vent Wizard in the Greater North Bay area provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair, dryer vent installation, dryer vent inspections and all dryer vent services for homes and businesses in San Francisco, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Cotati, Windsor, Napa, Ross, Kentfield, Bodega Bay, Healdsburg, American Canyon, Corte Madera, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Guerneville, Greenbrae, Sausalito, Marin City, Larkspur, San Anselmo, Sonoma, Glen Ellen, Kenwood, Cloverdale, Mill Valley, Woodacre, Novato, Tiburon, Belvedere, Stinson Beach and other near by areas.