The Checklist That Keeps Your Machines Out of Trouble
Monthly, seasonal, and yearly tasks for your washer and dryer. Stick it on the laundry room wall, and most of our repair calls will never be yours.
Most breakdowns started as chores nobody did. Print this, stick it on the laundry room wall, and check things off.
Monthly
- Clear the dryer lint trap after every load. Ten seconds, every time.
- Wipe the front-load door seal, then leave the door ajar. Stops mildew from settling into the folds.
- Shine a flashlight behind the washer. Catch damp spots and drips early.
- Measure your HE detergent. Clarksville water runs moderately hard; more soap just means residue.
Quarterly
- Empty the washer pump filter. Towel underneath first; clear lint, coins, and hair.
- Inspect both supply lines. Look for swelling, cracks, kinks, and rust where they connect.
- Vacuum behind and under the dryer. Pull it out a few inches; check the exhaust connection.
- Check the outside hood while the dryer runs. The flap should swing wide with strong, warm air. Weak flow: read our dryer vent cleaning guide or book a pro cleaning.
Once a year
- Get the exhaust professionally cleaned. The full path, including roof exits and long runs.
- Replace rubber supply lines older than 5 years. Upgrade to steel-braided lines.
- Re-level both machines. Rock each corner; adjust the feet until solid.
- Run the washer’s tub-clean cycle. Clears residue and odor buildup.
- Book the annual pro visit. Belts, rollers, pumps, valves, connections: our appliance maintenance visit.
Want the reasoning behind the schedule? Read our washer and dryer service guide, or try the symptom checker if something already broke.
Maintenance questions we hear a lot
How often should a professional service my washer and dryer?
For most households, once a year is the right rhythm: a tune-up covers hoses, leveling, belt and roller wear, and a deep clean of the lint path. Get the dryer vent professionally cleaned every year as well: the U.S. Fire Administration recommends yearly vent ductwork cleaning. Households with heavy laundry volume, pets, or long vent runs may benefit from twice a year.
When should I replace my washer hoses?
Standard rubber fill hoses should be replaced about every five years, or sooner if you see bulging, cracks, or rust at the fittings. A burst supply hose can flood a room in minutes, so this is cheap insurance. Braided stainless steel hoses last longer and are the upgrade we recommend when hoses are due.
Does maintenance really prevent breakdowns, or is it just upselling?
The tasks on this checklist address the causes behind most of our repair calls: clogged drain filters, worn hoses, restricted vents, and machines that vibrate loose over time. A vent cleaning that prevents a thermal fuse failure, or a hose replacement that prevents a flood, pays for itself many times over. The checklist is free: use it whether you ever hire us or not.
My washer is in an unheated garage. What extra care does it need?
Clarksville cold snaps can freeze supply lines and drain hoses in unheated spaces. Before the first freeze, check that hoses are insulated, keep the garage door closed on the coldest nights, and consider turning the supply valves off if you will be away. If a washer has frozen, let it thaw completely before running it: running a frozen pump can burn it out.
Clarksville Washers Repair Pro
Done the checklist? Let us handle the yearly part.
Annual tune-ups, professional vent cleanings, hose replacements: the jobs that need a technician. Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM · Sat 8AM-4PM · 24/7 emergency dispatch.