Appliance Repair in 19124 · Frankford & Bridesburg

In a typical Frankford rowhouse the dryer sits in the basement and vents through a cut-out in a basement window or the rear wall. Over the years that run often becomes a patchwork of flexible foil, a crushed section behind the dryer and an outside hood stuck shut with lint or paint. Each of those restrictions slows airflow.

A restricted vent makes the dryer run longer, the drum and cabinet get hot, and lint collects inside the dryer near the heater. Eventually a thermal fuse blows and the dryer stops heating, or stops running entirely. Replacing the fuse without clearing the vent just sets up the next failure, and lint near a heat source is a real fire risk.

Clean the lint screen on every load. Pull the dryer out at least once a year and check that the vent hose is not crushed or kinked. Go outside and make sure the flap opens freely when the dryer is running. Rigid or semi-rigid metal duct is a better choice than plastic or thin foil. When we repair a dryer that has stopped heating, we look at the vent too, because the part that failed is often the symptom rather than the cause.

Parking under and near the El can be tight, so tell us the best place to stop or whether there is a back alley. Basement stairs in these rowhouses are often steep and narrow; clear the stair and the space behind the dryer. If you can, check whether the outside vent flap opens and let us know.