Clothes Dryer Repair, Installation & Service
The Clothes Dryer: A Recent Convenience
Those of us who’ve lived long enough remember life before dryers.
- Laundry had to be scheduled. Washing clothes could be an all-day chore.
- Wet laundry was hung to dry. It was time-consuming, labor-intensive, and you prayed for sunshine.
- Sun-dried towels had the texture of sandpaper, not velvet.
- Ironing was a prerequisite unless you were willing to don shirts with more wrinkles than a Shar-Pei.
Dryers weren’t standard in American homes until the 60s. They’re now considered indispensable — that is, until they up and die. Then you’re cast back 50 years to the appliance Dark Ages, roughing it — quite literally — with sandpaper towels.
Unless you call us to bring your dryer back to life. No seance. Just appliance know-how.
West Coast Chief Dryer Repair
At Chief, we specialize in appliances. We repair, install, service, and even sell appliances from our Los Angeles showroom.
We know appliances inside and out because appliance work is the only work we do. And we’ll work with any appliance, including your dryer, no matter the brand, year, or model.
If your dryer’s out of commission, we can probably fix it, and if we can’t, we’ll replace it with a new energy-efficient model with all the bells and whistles.
Some Reasons for Dryer Breakdown
Dryers, like other appliances, have a lifespan. The average is about 13 years.
The most common reason for failure is lint buildup in the exhaust system. Lint blockage will cause the dryer to overheat and shut down; it’s also a fire hazard.
Other reasons for failure include:
- Worn out heating elements
- A broken drum roller
- A defective door switch
- Drive belt or motor problems
- A burnt fuse
- A broken temperature switch
- Thermostat malfunction
- A broken timer
- A busted idler
These are some of the many things that can go wrong with your clothes dryer. But whatever the problem, our technicians will diagnose it fast and get your dryer running.
Signs Your Dryer Needs Repair
If it takes longer than usual for clothes to dry, or if they’re not drying thoroughly, your dryer is crying for service.
Other indications include:
- The dryer is making strange noises
- There’s no heat coming from the dryer
- The drum isn’t turning
- The timer isn’t advancing
Call us if you notice any of these things. We’ll send a certified technician to have a look and let you know what to do.
Recognizing When to Call for Professional Repair
A clothes dryer is a complex machine with multiple moving parts and delicate electronics. It’s always best to call a specialist for diagnosis and repair.
There are, however, a few things you can troubleshoot yourself before you punch in our number:
- Check your lint screen. Believe it or not, a clogged lint screen is the number one reason for dryer failure. Clean the lint screen and see if that solves the problem. Let the dryer cool before you fire it up again.
- Check your venting system. Make sure all the vents are clear of lint buildup and debris. A clogged vent can cause your dryer to overheat and quit.
- Check the power source. Make sure your dryer is plugged in and that the outlet is working. While you’re at it, check the breaker box for tripped circuits or blown fuses.
Dryer Replacement or Repair?
Our technician will give you a written estimate for the repair cost, and he’ll help you weigh the pros and cons. It may be cheaper in the long run to skip the repair and replace an aging appliance.
If the repair cost exceeds 50% of the replacement cost, we recommend replacing the dryer. We also consider the age of the dryer: if it’s more than 10 years old, replacement is usually the best option.
As a bonus, your new dryer will be more energy-efficient and use less water. A generous manufacturer’s warranty will cover it.
We’ll provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. We won’t pressure you — the final decision is up to you.
Dryer Installation
You can buy your new dryer from another retailer or us.
Either way, your new dryer will benefit from professional installation, and if you buy from us, delivery and installation are part of the purchase package.
We carry top brands of clothes dryers with different features, capacities, and styles. We’re confident you’ll find one you like.
We’ll even schlep your old dryer to the recycling yard, so you don’t have to deal with it.
At other times as well, you may need professional installation.
For example, if your laundry room is on the second floor, you may not be able to vent the dryer out the window. In that case, you’ll need to have a vent installed — something we can manage quickly and easily after we’ve hauled your dryer up the stairs.
Types of Dryers: Choosing a Unit Right for You
All dryers work essentially the same way. A cylindrical drum rotates your laundry while heated air dries it.
The differences lie in the details: how the dryer generates hot air and how it removes humidity.
Vented Dryers
Most homes in Los Angeles use vented dryers. The giveaway is the flexible exhaust hose in the back attached to a vent that carries hot, moist air outside.
Vented dryers take cool inside air, heat it and pass it through the laundry, and expel it outside. This approach is effective but not the most efficient.
Condenser Dryers
With condenser dryers, humidity collects in a tank that you empty manually. They’re common in apartments and smaller homes where venting is impractical.
Heat Pump Dryers
Heat pump dryers reuse energy rather than release it. A heat exchange system draws out the moisture and feeds heat energy back into the system, saving up to 50% on running costs. Newer heat pump dryers are even more efficient, using pressure and high-speed air to remove moisture.
Gas Dryers
A gas dryer produces heat by burning natural gas or propane. In other respects, they’re identical to electric dryers. Gas dryers require a gas line and connection, which not all homes have.
Centrifugal Dryers
Many commercial dryers are centrifugal, accelerating the spin rate of the drum to push water out via centrifugal force (which we all know is an illusion, but it does help to dry clothes).
Microwave Dryers
A microwave dryer uses short, intense bursts of microwaves to quickly remove water from clothes. They’re not common but have been proposed as a space-saving option for small apartments.
How Often Should You Have Your Clothes Dryer Serviced?
You should have your clothes dryer serviced every two years, or more often if you use it heavily. This will ensure that it runs efficiently, safely, and for as long as possible.
- We’ll clean the lint trap, exhaust ducts, and dryer interior during our service call. We’ll inspect all parts for wear and tear and replace any damaged parts.
- We’ll lubricate moving parts. We’ll also ensure the dryer is properly ventilated and that exhaust ducts are clear.
- We’ll check the timer, run cycle, and anything else that could be out of whack.
Why Choose Chief for Your Appliance Repair?
At Chief, we’re appliance experts. We’ve been in the business for over 30 years, and we know appliances inside and out.
We’re also a family-owned and operated business, so we understand the importance of customer service. We treat our customers like family, and we’re not happy until you’re happy.
We hire only licensed and certified appliance technicians, and we back every job with robust guarantees.
So if you need a dryer repair, installation, or service, call us! We serve most of greater Los Angeles, Orange County, and even parts of San Diego County.