This is a safety issue
Slow drying = overheating = fire risk. NFPA records ~2,900 dryer fires per year in the US. The #1 cause: clogged exhaust duct.
Running 2–3 cycles just to dry one load?
70% of the time it's a clogged exhaust duct. Not just slow — it's a fire hazard (NFPA: 2,900 dryer fires/year). Vent cleaning included free with every repair. If we don't fix it, you don't pay.
Your electric bill
Each extra cycle costs $0.50–$1. Over a year that's $200+ wasted. A vent cleaning pays for itself in a month.
30–60 minutes
Vent cleaning + airflow check with the analyzer. 9 out of 10 done same-day.
If we don't fix it, you don't pay
Licensed & Insured
California state appliance repair license
Free Vent Inspection
Clogged vent is a fire hazard. We check and clean it with every repair
90-Day Warranty
On parts and labor
9 of 10 Fixed Same Day
Belts, rollers, heating elements — all in the van
Dmitry
Dryer Repair Tech · Orange
1,500+ dryers serviced. "Takes too long to dry" is the most underestimated problem. People live with it for years thinking "that's just how my dryer is." In reality — clogged vent, and it's dangerous.
What I show you on-site: the airflow analyzer. Normal reading is 0.6 inH₂O or higher. At 0.3 — the duct is half-blocked. At 0.1 — barely breathing, clothes take 2 hours instead of 40 minutes.
Free vent cleaning: I do it with every dryer repair. If you called specifically for "slow drying" — the cleaning is included in the service call. You pay for one visit.
How the repair works
From your call to a working dryer — here's exactly what happens
1. Call Us
Describe what's happening. Dmitry asks 2–3 questions and gives you a ballpark price on the spot.
2. Diagnostics + Vent Check
Dmitry tests the element, belt, rollers, motor — and always checks the exhaust duct. A clogged vent is a fire hazard.
3. Approve the Quote
Happy with the price — we fix it. Not happy — you only pay $89 for the diagnostic.
4. Repair + Free Vent Clean
We replace the part, clean the vent at no charge, run a full heat cycle, and show you how to prevent the issue from coming back.
5 reasons your dryer takes too long
Airflow analyzer gives you the exact reading in 5 minutes
1. Clogged exhaust duct (70%)
Flexible hose or rigid duct run to the outside is packed with lint. Airflow at 30% of normal. Professional auger cleaning + airflow verification. Labor: $80. No parts needed.
2. Clogged lint trap housing / internal ducts (15%)
Trap looks clean but the housing behind it has a thick lint layer. I open it up, vacuum it out. Labor: $80. No parts.
3. Failed moisture sensor (10%)
Dryer doesn't detect that clothes are dry — keeps running past the endpoint. Common on Samsung and LG. Labor: $80. Part: $30–$80.
4. Heating element running at half power (3%)
One of two heating coils has failed — element heats, but weakly. Analyzer reads amperage directly. Labor: $80. Part: $80–$140.
5. Power supply issue (2%)
Dryers run on 240V (two legs). If one leg is weak, it spins and heats — at half the wattage. We test with a multimeter. Labor: $80.
Why we fix your dryer right the first time
The average tech: "not heating — swap the element" ($150). Didn't help. "Then the thermal fuse" ($80). Still nothing. You pay three times. Our analyzer reads amperage on the element, air temp, and vent airflow in 5 minutes. One part, one visit — no guessing.
1500
+
dryers repaired
5
min
diagnostics
95
%
fixed first visit
Check these yourself in 2 minutes
Sometimes you don't need a tech
Lint trap
Cleaning it after every load? A packed lint trap cuts airflow by 50% on its own.
Airflow outside
Go outside to the vent cap. Is there a strong puff of air when the dryer runs? Barely a trickle = blocked.
Flex hose
Is the flexible hose kinked or pinched behind the machine? More than 25 ft of flex hose? Needs rerouting.
Load size
Max 3/4 drum. Heavy items (blankets, jeans) in separate loads. Towels and shirts together — only if it's a small load.
Quick Diagnosis: What's happening?
Check the symptoms you're seeing to find the likely cause and repair cost
Likely a simple fix
Probable cause: belt, rollers, or thermal fuse. Repair: $100–$180, 30–45 minutes.
Professional diagnostics needed
Probable cause: heating element + clogged vent, or moisture sensor. Repair: $120–$220, 30–60 minutes.
Serious issue — call now
Multiple symptoms + burning smell — possible clogged vent (fire risk) or control board failure. Call immediately.
What does it cost to fix a slow dryer?
Labor rate is flat. Parts are at cost plus markup. We quote everything BEFORE we start.
| Issue | Labor (flat) | Part | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not heating (element / gas igniter) | $80 | $40–$140 | $120–$220 |
| Drum won't spin (belt) | $80 | $20–$100 | $100–$180 |
| Won't start (thermal fuse) | $80 | $15–$70 | $80–$150 |
| Noisy / squeaking (drum rollers) | $80 | $40–$120 | $120–$200 |
| Takes too long (clogged vent / sensor) | $80 | $0–$60 | $80–$200 |
| Error code (control board) | $120–$180 | $60–$200 | $180–$350 |
Diagnostic fee: $89 — waived when you book the repair.
If we don't fix it, you don't pay. Vent inspection included free with every repair.
For "takes too long" specifically: $80–$200 (labor + part, if needed).
In 70% of cases — labor only (vent cleaning). Pays for itself in one month of electricity savings.
Recent 'slow drying' repairs in Orange
LG DLEX, Santa Ana — "3 cycles to dry one load"
Amy's dryer taking 3 hours per load. Electric bill doubled.
Vent 90% blocked with lint — serious fire hazard.
30 min, $80
Amy's dryer taking 3 hours per load. Electric bill doubled.
Vent 90% blocked with lint — serious fire hazard.
30 min, $80
Samsung DVE45, Orange — "Clothes wet after full cycle"
Lisa ran 3 cycles — clothes still damp. Ready to buy a new dryer.
Heating element burned out. Thermal fuse intact.
40 min, $200 (labor $80 + part $120)
Savings vs new: $900
Lisa ran 3 cycles — clothes still damp. Ready to buy a new dryer.
Heating element burned out. Thermal fuse intact.
40 min, $200 (labor $80 + part $120)
Savings vs new: $900
LG DLG, Anaheim — "Gas dryer, worried about safety"
Gas dryer running cold. Owner concerned about gas leak.
Cracked igniter — no spark. Gas supply and connections safe.
35 min, $170 (labor $80 + part $90)
Gas dryer running cold. Owner concerned about gas leak.
Cracked igniter — no spark. Gas supply and connections safe.
35 min, $170 (labor $80 + part $90)
Questions before you call
At least once a year. If there are 3+ people in the household or you have pets (fur clogs ducts fast) — every 6 months. Signs it's time: cycle is noticeably longer, dryer cabinet is hot to the touch, laundry room smells musty after a cycle.
A 1–2 foot flex hose — yes, a brush kit works. But if the duct runs through a wall or attic (10+ feet), you need a 30+ foot auger with a professional rotary brush and industrial vacuum. Without the right equipment you get maybe a third of the lint. I carry all of it in the van.
First sign of a blocked vent. Air can't escape — heat builds up inside the cabinet. Next step: thermal fuse blows and the dryer stops heating entirely. If it's already hot to the touch — call now, don't wait for the second stage.
Most dryer repairs run $120–$220 total (labor + part). The most common issues — belt, rollers, heating element — are $20–$140 for the part and $80 for labor. We quote the exact price before we start, after diagnostics.
Depends on the machine. Here's how Dmitry looks at it:
Dryers are the most repair-friendly appliance out there. Parts are simple and cheap: belt $20, rollers $40, element $80, thermal fuse $15. They last for years — no sensitive electronics dying after three.
Real example: A Whirlpool 22 years old — replaced rollers twice at $40 each. Still runs. A Samsung 5 years old — control board failed, $400 repair. The old one was more reliable.
Exception: motor + board + element all at once on a 15+ year-old machine — we'll do the math together. If the repair exceeds $400 and the dryer is over 12 years old, sometimes a new one makes more sense.
Average repair: $150. New dryer: $700–$1,500 plus wait time. Full breakdown: repair vs. replace →
If we don't fix it, you don't pay. You only pay $89 for the diagnostic (service call + analyzer). More about our guarantee →
We're based in Orange. Usually 2–3 hours from your call. 9 out of 10 dryer repairs are done same-day: belts, rollers, heating elements — we carry them in the van.
Yes, if the vent is clogged. Wet lint builds up → overheating → ignition. According to NFPA, roughly 2,900 dryer fires happen in the US every year.
We clean the vent duct free with every repair. If it's been a while — call us, we'll check it. Usually $80–$150 if it's just a cleaning with no repair.
70% of the time — yes, it's a clogged vent or flex hose. The element heats, but humid air can't escape. We check airflow with the analyzer.
The other 30%: moisture sensor or heating element running below capacity. The analyzer shows which one in under 5 minutes.
A handyman does a bit of everything. Appliance repair is its own licensed specialty in California.
We have a diagnostic analyzer for pinpoint accuracy, a van stocked with parts, and direct supplier relationships with Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, and Maytag. A handyman will Google it — we see these failures every day.
$89 — waived when you go ahead with the repair. If we don't fix it, you don't pay. You only pay the diagnostic fee if you decide not to proceed.
What customers say
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
LG dryer taking 3 cycles to dry one load. Tech found the vent 90% blocked with lint — he said it was a fire hazard, not just an efficiency issue. Cleaned it out. One cycle now. Never thought to check the vent.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Whirlpool Cabrio drying poorly for months. Tech found the flex vent kinked behind the wall AND a lint buildup around the exhaust port. Called it a serious fire risk. $200 to fix it — possibly saved the house.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Frigidaire dryer took forever. Moisture sensor coated with fabric softener residue — common on Frigidaire Gallery models. Cleaned the sensors and checked the vent. One cycle again. $120.
Useful pages
When fixing your dryer makes sense — and when it doesn't
tS, hE, dE — what they mean and what the repair costs
If we don't fix it, you don't pay. 90 days on parts and labor
Recent repairs nearby
35 min $170Gas dryer running cold. Owner concerned about gas leak.
30 min $80Amy's dryer taking 3 hours per load. Electric bill doubled.
40 min $200Lisa ran 3 cycles — clothes still damp. Ready to buy a new dryer.
35 min $140Dryer stopped spinning with wet clothes inside.
We repair all major dryer brands
Other dryer problems
Similar symptoms? Check if there's more than one thing going on.
Tired of waiting 2 hours per load?
One call — back to 40 minutes per load
✓ Professional duct cleaning (30-ft auger)
✓ Airflow analyzer — you see the before/after numbers
✓ $80 flat-rate labor
✓ If we don't fix it, you don't pay
7725 Gateway, Irvine, CA 92618
Пн-Пт 8:00-19:00
Ph: (949) 739-8878