A dryer is a great appliance to have in your home. It’s often a necessity for busy or larger households. Below, we take a moment to offer tips on how to keep your dryer safe so you can enjoy worry-free use.
Have Your Dryer Professionally Installed
If you’re getting a new dryer, have it professionally installed. Doing so ensures everything is correctly set up. This also reduces the risk of safety issues related to your new dryer as you use it, and it makes it easier to maintain.
Clean Your Lint Filter After Each Use
Be sure to clean your lint filter after each time you use your dryer. Also, never use a dryer without a filter in place. Visible lint inside where the filter is located should be removed as well.
Have Your Lint Pipe Professionally Cleaned
The lint pipe that goes from your dryer to the outside can get clogged with excess lint over time. Have it professionally cleaned at least once every year or two to ensure no backups occur. If lint accumulates, it could damage your dryer by not allowing exhaust to escape. It’s also a fire hazard.
Use the Correct Outlet
Be sure that your dryer is correctly plugged into an outlet that’s appropriate for the device. Avoid using converters or adapters. Instead. make certain the dryer is plugged into a proper outlet with the capacity to handle the equipment’s electrical demands.
Keep the Area Around Your Dryer Clear
Reduce the risk of fires by keeping the area around your dryer free of anything that could be affected by heat, such as cardboard boxes or paper items. Eliminating dryer clutter also ensures your dryer can operate properly.
In addition, check the area behind the dryer to make sure no clothes have fallen back there. Clothing behind your dryer can damage the hose or hinder the machine’s ability to function properly. Additionally, check the area outside by the vent to make sure it’s not blocked by anything.
Don’t Attempt Repairs Yourself
Lastly, don’t attempt DIY repairs to your dryer. Doing so could invalidate the warranty if it’s still in effect. Also, repairing a dryer involves more work than many people realize. Modern dryers have components that require special skills to make repairs properly and safely.
What’s more DIY repairs could damage your dryer or cause harm to you. It’s best to err on the side of caution and let an appliance technician handle the repairs.
Contact us at Sierra Appliance Services in Porterville, CA, to schedule a routine dryer checkup today.
