How to Know When to Repair or Replace Your Clothes Dryer

Lint can accumulate inside the dryer, leading to conditions that could cause a dryer fire.

When your dryer breaks down, it can be difficult to know if it’s worth repairing or not. Before running out and buying a new appliance, here are a few factors to take into consideration. 

The Average Lifespan of a Dryer

According to major appliance manufacturers, most dryers will last anywhere between 10 to 12 years.  Of course, there are multiple factors which impact its lifespan such as how often you use it and how well you maintain it. The better maintained it is, the longer it will last. However, knowing the lifespan of your appliance can help you when determining whether to repair or replace.

WARNING: Before attempting to work on any appliance, make sure that all power (electricity) and utilities (water and gas) have been turned off and/or disconnected on the appliance. Read more

Easy Fix or Call a Professional?

Trying to diagnose what is wrong with your dryer can be tricky. Luckily, thanks to websites like YouTube.com and http://www.pcappliancerepair.com, it’s easier than ever to find free appliance repair information.  Some repairs are easier than other’s, like replacing lint filters. Some repairs, like accessing and checking the blower wheel, will require disassembling parts of the appliance in order to reach and check the defective part. This can seem intimidating to an inexperienced DIYer, so doing your own repairs will depend a lot on your own level of confidence and willingness to try.

Is It Worth The Cost to Repair or Replace?

A good rule of thumb on deciding whether to repair or replace an appliance is, if the repair costs more than half the cost to buy new, it’s probably better to replace it. Age of the appliance should also be taken into consideration as well. If the dryer is ten years old or older, it might be time for a replacement.

Another factor in deciding whether to repair or replace is, does the machine fit your needs anymore? If you own a small capacity dryer and your family has grown significantly, then it might be time to upgrade to a larger capacity dryer that fits the needs of your family.

Clean the dryer venting

Extend the Lifespan of Your Dryer

Of course, maintenance and proper care will help prevent a lot of appliance breakdowns and help extend the lifespan of your dryer. Here are some tips:

• Clean the Lint Trap – Cleaning the lint filter or trap before or after every ever load will help the air flow inside the dryer making it more efficient and helping to prevent the dryer from overheating. Be sure to also clean the filter with a soft brush and running water to prevent dryer sheet film build-up and allow proper air circulation.
• Clean the Dryer Venting – Clean or inspect your dryer venting every year. If your dryer is taking longer to dry your laundry load or your dryer itself is hot to the touch, then your dryer venting might be clogged.

Where To Get DIY Dryer Repair Help:

Check out our Appliance Repair section for information on what parts to check or replace for any dryer problem. We also have helpful dryer repair videos as well as genuine OEM dryer replacement parts for your next appliance repair.

Check out our channel on YouTube.com where new dryer and other appliance repair videos are uploaded every day.

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