3 Signs Your Clothes Dryer Needs Repair

Like any other appliance, your clothes dryer will wear over time and eventually need repair. While some signs of a failing dryer are obvious, others can go overlooked for quite a while until the problem gets worse and more serious repairs are necessary. Discover three signs that you should call a technician to repair your dryer.

1. Clothes Take Too Long to Dry

If you notice that your clothes don't get as dry anymore with the same drying time, it could be a sign of a problem. A clothes dryer relies on proper airflow to cycle hot air through your clothes as they tumble and expel damp air through the vent hose.

An airflow obstruction could cause damp air to linger inside the drum and greatly increase the amount of time it takes your clothes to dry. If your clothes don't dry quickly enough, make sure the lint trap is clear and check the vent hose for crimps or blockages.

If you don't seem to have an airflow issue, your clothes may dry slowly due to a failing component. With years of use, the heating element in your dryer can eventually burn out and stop delivering heated air to the drum. Also possibly, one of the thermostats has failed and no longer reads the temperature properly, which causes the dryer to warm up much more slowly.

2. Strange Noises Occur While Running

Heavy clothes with zippers or buttons may make a banging sound in the dryer, but other, more unusual noises can point to a problem. Scraping, squealing, or thumping sounds can occur when one or more components supporting the drum have failed. The support roller under the drum that holds it in place may have worn down, or the bearing in the back of the drum may need to be replaced.

Problems with the dryer motor can also cause alarming sounds while the dryer runs. Motor bearings can wear out and cause squealing sounds, or a rattling sound may point to a loose pulley. Both of these components can usually be replaced without replacing the entire motor. If you hear an electrical humming noise, it may be a sign of a dangerous short inside the motor that requires professional repair or replacement.

3. Burning Smells Come Out of the Dryer

You should never ignore a burning smell from any appliance, especially one that generates as much heat as a clothes dryer. Seemingly innocuous problems like lint buildup can create a significant fire hazard. Unplug your dryer and open the access panel every few months to inspect the inside for lint. You can use a vacuum hose to clean lint off of the motor, heating element, and the inside walls of the housing.

A burning smell can also be a sign of a failing thermostat. Just as a thermostat problem can keep your dryer from getting hot enough, it can also cause it to overheat if it incorrectly reads that the temperature is too low.

If the burning smell from your dryer smells particularly like burning rubber, it may be the drive belt. The drive belt can sometimes slip off of the drum and fall onto the heating element, where the belt dries out or even melts and creates a foul burning odor. You may notice that the drum doesn't turn properly if this is the case.

Knowing the signs that your dryer needs repair will help you take proactive measures to correct the problem before it becomes more serious. If your dryer or any other appliance doesn't work like it should, contact us at Appliance Repair Solutions so our experienced technicians can help you!