How To Disconnect A Gas Dryer Safely? (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Dealing with appliances like the gas dryer is daunting. But it is unavoidable. Whether there is a requirement for replacement, cleaning, or getting a new one, you must disconnect the gas dryer safely.

To disconnect the gas dryer:

Open all the doors and windows and make sure the dryer is empty.

Don’t forget to wear goggles, gloves, and a mask.
Turn the dryer off by unplugging it from the electric outlet.
Turn off the gas supply and unscrew the flex hose from the gas line.

Seal the gas line using a gas line cap.

If you think you are not confident enough to do this yourself, take help from the technician.

But since I have handled it myself and disconnected a gas dryer safely, I am here to help you with the steps I followed, and you can follow them, too, to get it done.

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Table of Contents

Can I disconnect my gas dryer myself?

The short answer is yes.

You can disconnect the gas dryer yourself, but you must know the steps first.

Disconnecting the gas dryer is not as daunting as it seems, but it can become dangerous if you are unaware of the steps.

I suggest you thoroughly study this article and begin the process.

Disconnecting the gas dryer yourself can save you a lot of dollars.

But if you still feel unsure, you can always call the technician to get things done.

Why do I need to disconnect the gas dryer?

You might need to disconnect the gas dryer under the following circumstances:

You need to clean the dryer vents.

You need to repair the dryer.
You want to replace the dryer
You are moving the dryer.

You are going on a long holiday, so you must disconnect the dryer.

Therefore, learning how to disconnect the gas dryer can prove useful in the long run.

Tools you need to disconnect the gas dryer

Let’s look at all the tools and why you need them while disconnecting your gas dryer.

Wrench: You will need this while disconnecting the dryer from the gas supply. I highly recommend going for the WORKPRO 4-piece Adjustable Wrench Set, as we have been using this for years, and these work great.

Screwdriver: You will need this to unscrew the hoses as and when needed. I have a great recommendation for this one too. Go for the Amazon Basics 51-Piece Precision Screwdriver Bit Set.

Goggles, gloves, and facemasks: To save yourself from any hazards. The ones that I use are:

Teflon tape: When you want to replace or reinstall the dryer or secure the gas line, you will need this. Grab this one 4 Rolls 1/2 Inch(W) X 520 Inches(L) Teflon Tape.

Fire extinguisher: A fire extinguisher is an absolute must to be able to handle any emergencies. The one I use for our household is First Alert HOME2PRO Rechargeable Compliance Fire Extinguisher.

Duct tapes: You can use these to prevent gas leakage and protect the gas supply line. You can also collect the connection cable with this. The recommendation I have for this one is AmazonCommercial Standard Duct Tape.

Gas line plug: Use this to prevent risks of gas leakage as it prevents cracks while tightening the joints. Get this one AIGO JNS Brass Pipe Fitting, as I have used it, and it comes with great quality.

How to disconnect a gas dryer?

Now that you got your tools, it’s time to understand the steps of disconnecting your gas dryer.

Before cleaning a dryer, ensure it is empty, and there are no clothes inside.

If there are, take them out.

1. Empty the lint tray

The lint tray is the filter that catches the fibers from the clothes while drying in the machine.

Start by emptying the lint tray and all the lint you find inside the machine.

If the floor gets covered with lint, use a vacuum cleaner to clean them.

This will prevent any fire hazards.

2. Turn off the dryer

After removing the clothes and the lint, ensure the dryer is turned off.

Wait for half an hour and let any remaining gas escape from the dryer.

Once this is done, we can proceed with the next steps.

3. Prepare your home

It is important to take all the precautionary steps to prevent all chances of fire hazards.

Start by extinguishing all flames inside the house.
Turn off all the heat sources.
Open all the doors and windows to ventilate your home.

Keep the fire extinguisher handy.
And cover your face with goggles and a face mask, and protect your hands by wearing gloves.

All these steps will help you avoid any danger or fire hazards, so following these are a must.

4. Unplug the dryer

After preparing the house and yourself, disconnect the dryer by unplugging it from the outlet.

This is important to ensure that no electricity passes into the machine and causes any hazards.

5. Turn the gas off

This is one of the most crucial steps.

Forgetting to turn the gas off can give rise to a fire hazard, so do not miss this step at any cost.

You can turn the gas off by locating the section valve beside the dryer and turning it off.

Or you can turn off the main gas supply of the house.

5. Disconnect the gas line

First, slide the gas dryer out from the wall.

Be careful as you wouldn’t want to damage the dryer or hurt yourself.

Once you’ve moved the dryer away, you can find the gas line.

Disconnect the gas line with the help of the wrench.

Don’t freak out if you notice a little gas leaking out while disconnecting the gas line.

However, if the leakage seems excessive, consider evacuating the house and calling your gas provider and the fire department for help.

6. Secure the gas line

After disconnecting the gas line, use the Teflon tape to cover and secure the end.

You can also use duct tape or the gas line plug to secure the ends.

7. Disconnect the vent duct

This is the last step where you disconnect the vent duct from the wall.

If you are unsure of what a vent duct is, it is the duct responsible for carrying the dirt, lint, and fumes produced during drying your clothes out of the house.

You should clean this at least twice a year.

After you disconnect the vent duct, consider cleaning it.

You may find some lint too, which you can clean with the vacuum cleaner.

Once you are done disconnecting the gas dryer, keep the windows and doors open for some more time.

This will help aerate the space and remove any gas.

But if the gas smell doesn’t seem to fade, you must call a technician or an expert to inspect the issue.

Don’t delay this as it can become a big problem otherwise.

Who can disconnect a gas dryer?

Disconnect the gas dryer only if you are completely confident that you can handle the processes yourself.

If not, call for expert help.

To disconnect the gas dryer, you will need the help of a skilled plumber.

If you’re wondering where to find one, try these:

Call plumbing firms: I do this when I am unsure of anything. Although this might cost you some bucks, you can rest assured that the work will be efficient. Not all plumbing firms will handle this, though. You will need to contact a firm that deals with gas dryers.
Search online: You will find many plumbing firms online. You can contact them to ask if they deal with gas dryers if you can’t find that information already.
Ask people you know: Everyone needs plumbing services at least once in their lifetime. So, people you know might know some expert plumbers who can disconnect your gas dryer. Ask your family, friends, and neighbors for recommendations.

Cost to disconnect the gas dryer

The cost of disconnecting the gas dryer will depend on a few factors:

The area you are in
The charge of the plumber

The scope of work

To give you a rough idea, a local plumber will charge anywhere between $55-250/hour.

If you contact a plumbing firm, it can cost anywhere between $170-480.

Final words

Disconnecting the gas dryer isn’t the easiest thing, but with the right knowledge and proper precautions, you can do it as I did. I agree it felt daunting, but I was able to do it with proper research and after observing how the plumber does it.

I like to do it myself because I know how to do it now, and it saves me a lot of money, especially when I just want to disconnect the dryer to clean it.

I have mentioned all the steps of how I disconnect my gas dryer, which you can easily use to disconnect yours. But if it still feels daunting, I recommend calling the plumber.