Same-day service available across Ottawa and Gatineau. Dryer stopped heating, stopped turning, or started screaming on every load, and you are wondering whether to fix it or buy a new one? This guide gives you the actual math B&M Canada Appliances uses when a technician stands in front of a dryer in Kanata, Barrhaven, Orléans or Hull and has to give an honest answer. The short version: a dryer is the appliance most worth repairing in the house. Call 613-301-0016 for a same-day diagnosis.
In business since 1995 • 3-month warranty on repairs • Bilingual technicians • Honest answer, both numbers
Service call: $89 + tax residential ($129 + tax commercial); gas dryers $129 + tax. That covers travel and a full diagnosis; the technician then quotes a firm repair price, tells you what a comparable new dryer costs, and you decide.
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🔧 Dryer repair Ottawa
The 50% rule, and why dryers almost never hit it
The classic rule of thumb: if a repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new machine, replace it. The rule is sound. What makes dryers different is that almost no dryer repair gets anywhere near 50%. A mid-range electric dryer in Ottawa runs roughly $800 to $1,200 new; the parts that fail on a dryer (belts, fuses, thermostats, rollers, pulleys, igniters, elements) are among the cheapest in any appliance, and the labour is quick. A dryer is a motor, a drum, a heat source and a handful of safety switches. There is very little to wear out expensively, and a well-maintained one runs fifteen to twenty years.
Decision table by age
| Dryer age | Recommended action | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 8 years | Repair, whatever the fault | Even a motor is well under 50% of new, and the machine has half its life left. |
| 8 to 12 years | Repair unless it is a motor or board and other parts are worn | Belts, fuses, elements, igniters and rollers are still easy math. A motor on a dryer with a worn drum bearing and a tired element is the one case to compare. |
| 12 to 18 years | Repair the cheap parts; think twice about the expensive ones | A belt or fuse still pays for itself in months. A motor or board is a judgement call the technician makes with you. |
| 18+ years | Replace unless the part is trivial | A new dryer is more efficient and safer (better lint containment); the old one has earned its retirement. |
Repairs that almost always pay off
- Drive belt (drum does not turn, motor runs). Cheap part, quick job. See dryer not spinning in Ottawa.
- Thermal fuse or cycling thermostat (runs, no heat). Usually caused by a clogged vent, which we clear at the same visit. See dryer not heating in Ottawa.
- Heating element (electric) or igniter, flame sensor, valve coils (gas). Mid-range parts on a machine that will run another decade. See gas dryer repair in Ottawa.
- Drum rollers, idler pulley, glides (squeal, thump, grinding). A full roller kit is a modest repair that makes the dryer quiet again. See dryer making noise in Ottawa.
- Door switch, start switch, timer knob. Trivial.
- Vent cleaning and airflow fix (takes too long, overheats). Not a part at all, and it is the single most common reason a dryer “seems dead.” See dryer takes too long in Ottawa.
The repairs where the math gets harder
Drive motor. The most expensive mechanical part. On a dryer under twelve years, still clearly worth it. Past that, we look at what else is worn: if the rollers, belt and element are also tired, the combined bill starts to approach 50% and the conversation changes.
Control board. Boards on newer electronic dryers are the one part that can cost as much as a motor. On a dryer under ten years, repair. On an older one, compare. Some boards on discontinued models are no longer available, and we tell you straight away when that is the case.
Drum bearing or drum itself. Rare, but a cracked drum or a shot rear bearing on an older dryer is labour-heavy. Age decides.
Heat-pump and condenser dryers. Their refrigerant circuit and electronics cost more than a vented dryer’s parts, and the units themselves cost more new, so the 50% line sits higher in dollars. Still usually worth repairing under ten years.
Typical Ottawa repair ranges by part are on our dryer repair cost in Ottawa page.
Four things that tip the answer toward replacement
- A second expensive part on the same visit. A motor and a board is a different decision from a motor alone.
- A burning smell that turns out to be a scorched cabinet or wiring harness. Repairable, but on an old dryer it is a sign the machine has been running hot for years.
- A discontinued part. We check availability before quoting; if the board or motor is gone, that decides it.
- You were about to change fuel type or stack the laundry anyway. If the plan is a gas-to-electric switch or a stacked pair for a condo, put the repair money into the new set and let us do the washer and dryer installation in Ottawa properly.
Four things that tip it toward repair
- The fault is on the “always pays off” list above. That is most dryer calls.
- The dryer matches a washer you are keeping. Replacing one half of a pair costs more than it looks when the new dryer does not stack or match.
- It is a Speed Queen, a commercial-grade unit, or an older Whirlpool or Maytag with a simple mechanical timer. These are built to be repaired for decades.
- Delivery, haul-away and hook-up costs. The sticker price of a new dryer is not the whole price; a proper vent and cord install is part of it.
What the diagnosis gives you
The technician finds the fault, checks the vent and airflow, looks at the belt, rollers, element or burner and motor for wear, and gives you two numbers: the firm repair quote, and a realistic replacement figure for a comparable dryer. Then it is your call, with no pressure either way; we repair dryers and we install them, so we have no reason to steer you. The diagnostic is $89 + tax residential ($129 + tax commercial), or $129 + tax for a gas dryer, and it is charged whichever way you decide. Every repair carries a 3-month warranty on parts and labour. After 9 PM and before 7 AM a $100 flat emergency fee applies on top of regular rates. Addresses more than 30 km from downtown Ottawa may carry a travel charge, confirmed when you book.
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Brand notes from Ottawa homes
Whirlpool and Maytag dryers share a platform whose parts are cheap and everywhere; repair them into their late teens. Samsung and LG dryers have more electronics; their boards and sensors are the parts that decide the math past ten years. GE and Frigidaire sit in between. Across the river the same rules apply; see dryer repair in Gatineau and, in French, réparation de sécheuse à Gatineau.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth repairing a 10-year-old dryer?
Almost always, yes. Belts, fuses, elements, igniters and rollers are cheap, and a ten-year-old dryer has another five to ten years in it. Only a motor or board combined with other wear makes the decision close.
How long should a dryer last?
Fifteen to twenty years with the vent kept clear. Clogged venting is what shortens a dryer’s life, because it makes everything run hot.
What is the most expensive dryer repair?
The drive motor or the control board. Both are still usually under half the price of a new dryer; see our dryer repair cost page for typical ranges.
Should I replace the washer at the same time?
Only if the washer is also failing or you want a stacked pair. Replacing a working washer to match a new dryer is rarely worth it.
Do you charge the diagnostic if I decide to replace?
Yes. The diagnostic ($89 + tax residential, $129 + tax commercial or gas) covers the visit and the assessment, and it is charged whichever way you decide. You get a firm repair quote and a realistic replacement figure to compare.
Can you install the new dryer if I replace it?
Yes. The same crew handles venting, the 240 V cord or the gas hook-up with a leak test, and stacking kits. See our washer and dryer installation page.
