Maintaining your washer and dryer is not just about keeping them clean and efficient—it’s also a safety issue. A poorly maintained dryer can actually create a household fire, and a malfunctioning washing machine can spill hundreds of gallons of water in just one hour. For tips on how to maintain your washer and dryer, contact a company that provides washing machine repair in Birmingham and take a look at the information below.

Perform Important Upgrades
Washing machines come with rubber hoses that become prone to cracking open over time. You can replace these rubber hoses with steel-jacketed hoses that won’t split. Your dryer also comes with a fragile vinyl duct that is actually quite flammable. You can replace this vinyl duct with a metal one to reduce your risk of causing a household fire.

Clean the Lint Trap and Dryer Duct
Dryers cause thousands of fires and millions of dollars in property damage each year. To greatly reduce the risk of causing a dryer fire, always remove lint from the dryer’s lint trap before running the dryer. You should also have a dryer repair company inspect and clean the ductwork every six to 12 months.

Replace the Hoses
Inspect your hoses every six months to be sure there are no signs of damage or wear. Many dryer repair experts recommend replacing your hoses every five years so that your appliances last longer and use less energy.

Install a Drip Pan
Place a drip pan underneath your washing machine. A pan with a drain will collect water that would otherwise leak onto the floor or wall and promote mold growth. This is especially important if your washer is on the second floor, as any water that leaks out of the washer can get into the ceiling of the first floor.

A dirty dryer vent can cause a number of problems, including dryer failure or even a household fire. At Holloway Appliance Repair of Birmingham, we recommend inspecting and cleaning your dryer vent at least once per year. If you need a dryer repaired in Birmingham , you can turn to our appliance repair company for high-quality service. Continue reading to learn about the steps of cleaning a dryer vent.

Did you know that the dryer is the number one source of fires in the home? Removing lint buildup from the dryer vent hose can help reduce the likelihood of a household fire occurring because of a clogged dryer vent. It is especially important to frequently clean your dryer vent if you have an electric dryer, as electric models are more likely to cause household fires than gas dryers. To clean a dryer vent, simply pick up a dryer vent cleaning brush kit. Remember to disconnect the different sections of your dryer vent to be sure you are catching all of the lint that has built up.