Let’s get you hooked up
Hooking up a gas dryer may seem simple, but an incorrect gas line installation could lead to issues down the line, including a carbon monoxide leak. Since you’re dealing with both a gas line and electricity, this project is best left to the pros.
Wondering who to call to hook up a gas dryer in your home? Whether you’re installing a gas dryer for the first time or replacing an existing one, here’s who you should call to handle this essential task.
It's best to hire a plumber near you to hook up your gas dryer. They’ll ensure the fittings are securely connected and that there are no gas leaks in your home. The cost to install a gas dryer is between $760 and $1,650.
At first glance, a plumber might sound like an odd fit to help install your gas dryer. But here’s why they’re the right fit for the job.
Licensing and insurance. Most state laws require a licensed plumber to have the proper insurance and training to run and install gas lines. The right plumber will be properly trained and experienced in gas line hookups.
Installing a vent. If you’re installing a gas dryer for the first time, a plumber can install the vent to ensure excess heat and fumes are leaving your home. Dryer vent installation costs between $100 to $600, on average.
Safety checks. Finally, after they hook up your gas line, a plumber should be able to test for carbon monoxide or gas leaks near your dryer.
Hooking up a new gas dryer may seem simple enough, but it can be a dangerous project. If done incorrectly, you could risk a gas leak or release carbon monoxide into your home.
As a general rule of thumb, a licensed professional should handle any home projects involving gas lines.
It’s possible that a local dryer repair company can hook up your gas dryer. However, when you call the company be sure to confirm the technician is licensed by the state and trained to deal with gas lines. If the repair person is not adequately insured for gas lines, you should try another company.
It’s common to pay an additional fee to have a licensed technician hook up a gas dryer during delivery. You’ll want to ask the company if that service is available before delivery.
Never allow unlicensed delivery people to hook up your gas dryer. Unless your delivery team is licensed to deal with gas lines, having them hook up the gas dryer is too risky. A simple mistake could lead to a leak and devastating results for your home.
A plumber will start the process of hooking up a gas dryer by shutting off the gas supply near the dryer hookup. Then, they’ll connect a new hook-up line from the existing gas line to the new dryer. They’ll connect the two pipes using fittings, tightening them with a wrench to ensure gas won’t leak through. They’ll also install a drip cap close to the dryer to allow for sediment cleanout down the line.
Once a gas pipe is close to the dryer, the plumber will likely use a more flexible gas line to connect it to the gas source.
Next comes creating a dryer vent. The plumber will drill a hole in an exterior wall. That’s where the dryer will vent out. Depending on the dryer's location in your home, connecting the dryer to the vent with ducting could be expensive and complicated. But if the dryer is against an exterior wall, it won’t take much duct to connect it to the vent. Once the dryer is connected to the vent with ducting, the plumber will clamp both sides until they’re securely attached.
Once everything is connected, the plumber will run the dryer and use a leak detector to make sure no gas leaks into the home.
