Dryer Repair in Knoxville: Not Heating, Lint and Fire Safety

Why a dryer stops heating, the lint and vent checks fire safety agencies recommend, and why a gas dryer's gas line is the shop's job.

A dryer that takes longer and longer to dry is worth taking seriously. The US Fire Administration says failure to clean was the leading factor in home clothes dryer fires from 2018 to 2020, at 31%, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also names failure to clean as the leading cause.

What the fire safety agencies ask of owners: clean the lint filter before and after each load and never run the dryer without it, clear lint from around the dryer, check that the vent pipe behind it isn't crushed or blocked, and make sure the outdoor vent flap opens when the dryer runs. Don't pull a gas dryer away from the wall to get behind it: moving it can stress the gas connector, so leave that to the shop or a vent cleaning service. NFPA says to clean lint out of the vent pipe once a year, or more often if drying takes longer than normal, or have a vent cleaning service do it, and to turn the dryer off when you leave home or go to bed.

If an electric dryer tumbles but won't heat, Whirlpool says to check the breakers: electric dryers run on a 240-volt circuit with two breakers, and if one of them has tripped the drum can turn without heating. If a breaker trips again, or you smell burning, stop using the dryer and leave it for the shop.

Gas dryers are different. Leave the gas valve, connector and line alone, and tell the shop it's a gas dryer when you call. NFPA says a qualified professional should check that a gas dryer's gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks, and KUB warns that moving a gas appliance can stress its connector and cause a crack or leak. If you smell gas, leave the house first, then call KUB at 865-524-2911 or 911 from outside.

Common jobs

• Dryers that run but don't heat
• Dryers that won't start or stop partway
• Long drying times
• Squealing, thumping or scraping noises
• Gas dryers (tell the shop it's gas when you call)

Have this ready when you call

• Gas or electric
• Brand, model and serial number (often inside the door, on the rim of the opening)
• Whether it tumbles, heats, or does neither
• When the lint filter and vent were last cleaned
• Your neighborhood or town

Common questions