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Detroit gas and electric dryer repair
Dryer Repair in Detroit
No heat, slow drying, squeaking or won’t start? We fix gas and electric dryers, often the same day.
Most Detroit dryers we see fail for a short list of reasons, and a clogged vent is near the top of it. We send a vetted local technician, tell you the diagnostic fee on the phone and give you a written price before any work starts.
Symptoms
Common Dryer Problems and What Causes Them
| What you notice | Likely cause | Safe check before you call |
|---|---|---|
| Electric dryer tumbles but no heat | Blown thermal fuse, burned-out heating element, failed high-limit or cycling thermostat | Electric dryers need a 240-volt circuit. Check for a half-tripped double breaker |
| Gas dryer tumbles but no heat | Weak igniter, failed gas valve coils, flame sensor or thermal fuse | Make sure the gas valve behind the dryer is open |
| Takes two or three cycles to dry | Clogged lint screen, lint-packed or crushed vent duct, blocked outside vent flap | Clean the lint screen, then check that air blows strongly at the outside vent |
| Won’t start | Door switch, thermal fuse, broken belt or start switch | Check that the door closes firmly and the breaker is on |
| Squeaking, thumping or scraping | Worn drum rollers, idler pulley, drum glides or belt | Note when the noise starts. Squeaks often mean rollers or the idler pulley |
| Drum doesn’t turn but motor runs | Broken drive belt | Stop running it. The motor can overheat |
| Burning smell or very hot to the touch | Lint buildup or a blocked vent | Stop using it and unplug it. This is a fire risk |
Fire safety
Dryer Vents in Older Detroit Homes
More than 95% of Detroit’s current homes were built by 1956. Laundry often ended up in the basement, far from an outside wall, so the vent duct runs a long way with several turns. Long runs collect lint, slow drying and push the dryer to overheat. The National Fire Protection Association names failure to clean as a leading cause of home dryer fires.
- Clean the lint screen before every load.
- Replace thin foil or plastic duct with rigid or semi-rigid metal duct.
- In winter, check that snow and ice are not blocking the outside vent flap.
- Have the full vent run cleaned if drying times keep getting longer.
Repair or replace
Is Your Dryer Worth Repairing?
Usually, yes. Fuses, elements, thermostats, igniters, belts and rollers are some of the most affordable appliance repairs. The National Association of Home Builders puts the typical life of a dryer at about 13 years. Replacement makes more sense when the drum, motor and control board are all wearing out at once. Read the repair or replace guide.
We repair gas, electric, stacked and compact dryers from Whirlpool, Maytag, Samsung, LG, GE, Frigidaire, Electrolux, Kenmore, Speed Queen and more. See all brands.
We cover every Detroit neighborhood, plus Hamtramck and Highland Park: Downtown, Midtown and Corktown, Central Detroit, the Lower East Side and Far East Side, the West Side, Northwest Detroit, Southwest Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park.
FAQ
Questions Detroit customers ask
Why is my dryer running but not heating?
On an electric dryer, the usual causes are a blown thermal fuse, a burned-out heating element or a failed thermostat. On a gas dryer, it is usually the igniter or the gas valve coils. A blown thermal fuse often means the vent is restricted, so check the vent too.
Why does my dryer take so long to dry?
A clogged lint screen or vent duct is the most common cause. If the vent is clear, the heating element, a thermostat or the moisture sensor may be failing.
Do you repair gas dryers?
Yes. We repair gas dryer igniters, gas valve coils, flame sensors and thermal fuses. Work on the gas supply line itself in Michigan falls under state mechanical licensing, so ask who holds that license before any line work starts.
How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
Clean the lint screen every load. Have the full vent run checked whenever drying times get longer, and more often if the run is long or has many turns.
My dryer smells like it’s burning. What should I do?
Turn it off and unplug it. A burning smell usually means lint near the heat source or a blocked vent. Do not use it again until it has been checked.
Get your dryer fixed
Tell us the appliance, the brand and what it is doing. We will give you the diagnostic fee and a likely price range on the phone.