Annual Washer & Dryer Service Visit

Purpose

Define a recurring annual service visit covering the customer's washer + dryer pair. Dryer-vent fires cause ~3,000 home fires per year (NFPA); a annual visit substantially reduces that risk and catches the washer hose + drain issues that turn into water damage claims.

Scope

Applies to:

• Residential top-load + front-load washers
• Residential electric + gas dryers (vented to the exterior)
• Stacked combo units (limited scope on accessibility)

Excludes commercial units, condensing / ventless dryers (separate scope), and units already exhibiting active failure (those are service calls, not maintenance).

Responsibilities

• Dispatcher confirms access + asks about any recent symptoms at booking
• Lead technician runs the protocol; presents any remediation quotes before leaving
• Customer witnesses the dryer-vent inspection findings

Procedure

Washer (target: 25 minutes)

1. Pull the washer forward enough to access the back. Use slip pads for hardwood / tile.
2. Inspect the supply hoses. Look for bulges, crimps, kinks, or rust at the connection threads. Hoses older than 5 years OR showing any deterioration: replace with stainless-braided. This is the #1 catastrophic-water-damage failure in homes.
3. Verify shutoff valves operate. If frozen open, recommend a single-lever auto-shutoff replacement.
4. Inspect the drain hose connection. Should be looped at least 30" above the floor to prevent siphoning. Secure to standpipe; not just dropped in.
5. Run a self-clean cycle (front-load) or a hot-water-with-bleach cycle (top-load). Catches mildew issues early and removes detergent residue.
6. Vacuum lint + dust from behind + underneath the unit. Belt-driven units accumulate flammable lint under the cabinet.
7. Level check: any rocking corner means a leg out of adjustment; level the unit before reinstalling.
8. Document hose condition + connections with photos.

Dryer (target: 35 minutes - the fire-prevention focus)

1. Pull dryer forward. Disconnect the vent duct at the dryer outlet.
2. Vacuum out the dryer's interior lint trap housing thoroughly - under the lint screen there's accumulation the customer never sees.
3. Clean the full vent run from dryer to exterior termination. Use a vent-cleaning rod set + shop vacuum. Document the lint volume removed (photograph) for the customer.
4. Inspect the exterior termination cap. Bird's nests + lint buildup are common; cap should have a working damper.
5. Inspect the vent duct itself. If it's plastic or vinyl flex: replace with rigid metal or semi-rigid metal - flexible vinyl is a code violation in most jurisdictions and a fire risk.
6. For gas dryers: inspect the gas connection for leaks (soapy water test); verify CSST is grounded per code.
7. Reconnect the vent duct with proper clamps (no duct tape; metal clamps only).
8. Run the dryer empty for 5 minutes. Verify strong airflow at the exterior cap (a tissue paper should be pinned to the cap; if it falls off, airflow is still restricted).
9. Vacuum the cabinet interior + below the drum if accessible.

Acceptance Criteria

• Washer supply hoses pass visual inspection or have been replaced
• Drain hose properly looped + secured
• Dryer vent cleared from inlet to exterior termination
• Exterior termination damper operational
• Strong airflow at exterior cap with dryer running
• Photos of vent lint volume removed (customer-impactful evidence)
• Customer signs field report; any quoted upgrades (hoses, valves, vent material) presented in person

References

• NFPA 211 (Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances)
• IRC Section M1502 (Dryer exhaust requirements)
• Manufacturer service literature for the specific make/model