If your clothes dryer is not working as efficiently as it should, you need to gouge out the trouble. Undermentioned are vital areas you must evaluate. …
A clothes dryer for one, is quite an indispensable electronic appliance; when it does not function as expected, one is bound to get worried. Your dryer might be facing a trouble or two, and you need to attend to it, for it to get back on its feet, don’t you! So, what do you do if clothes from the dryer don’t come out dry? The result is disappointment and damp clothes. Well, not any longer! Troubleshooting tips are featured in this article, to help you dry up your doubts … and to have your clothes well dried out!
To begin with, let’s get a few facts right. You must know that there, precisely are two factors that play their part in drying out your clothes: (1) Airflow; and (2) Heat. Air flow is most important of the two. There are ways in which you may check if the air flow is appropriate, and the heating system is working well, too.
Have You Checked … ?
➟ The Venting
For the dryer to function well, the vent pipe must be thoroughly secured. Check the airflow. Is it strong? You will be able to feel the strength if you touch the exterior vent while it’s in the process. Pay attention to the venting hose. Is it connected to the dryer? Does it endure an awkward bend that has its functioning go awry? Bends and bantam tears may hamper air flow and encourage lint buildup. Thus, if the airflow seems too dull for its function, you may go on to investigating the lint filter.
➟ The Lint Trap
The lint filter of your dryer may be the active agent in interfering with the airflow. Now, where is the lint filter located? Well, in most cases, it is on top of the dryer, or it is inside the door. Ideally, the lint trap must be cleaned each time after use. If the lint load increases, the airflow is affected. For your dryer to dry out your clothes with ease, you must discard the lint post use.
➟ The Type of Venting Used
Know that the vent pipe you use, must ideally be 4” in diameter — not less, not more. You should be able to connect the venting pipe in the most direct way possible. A lot of twisting and turning of the pipe provides room for lint accumulation. Besides, use a semi-rigid aluminum venting hose. It does not succumb to crinkles and bends, is easily maneuverable, and there is no fear of corrosion.
➟ The Ducting
Ensure that the ducting is secured properly. Look out for kinks. If you find them, you may well have found the culprit. If the ducting sits crinkled since the time it was installed, you must redress the issue. Make the connection as smooth as possible. It is recommended that the duct be maintained. Cleaning it — every semester, or annually — would do a good turn to your dryer.
➟ The Heating Element
Now, what’s a heating element? The heating elements are very much like filaments, beaded onto a nickel and chrome alloy wire. It is due to this wire which heats up, courtesy of an electric current, that clothes come out dry. It is resistant or controlled heating of the coiled wire. So, what exactly could go wrong with the heating element? You would known when you check the insides of the drum post a normal run. If the drum feels warm, consider the heating elements in good spirits, if not, you will have to replace it. Professional assistance, in such cases, is recommended.
➟ The Fuse
Dryers work on two fuses, and it is possible for one of them to trip. However, there is nothing much to worry as the tumble dry process would continue, but as far as complete drying is concerned, you may not see that happening.
➟ The Selection of Wash Controls
Did you select the right “Dry Level?” For instance, if you select ‘Normal’ setting, the clothes will be left slightly damp. This is essential for certain clothing where overdrying may damage the fabric. If you choose a higher dry level, clothes will be completely dry.
➟ The Thermostat
It is possible that the reason why your dryer is not functioning the way it ought to, is because of a defective thermostat. Your dryer is equipped with a number of thermostats for temperature regulation. A specific thermostat works for the cycle selected. Test each of the thermostats, and ensure they are working. If not, it’s time to change the faulty ones.
➟ The Load
It does not really serve the purpose to overload the dryer. Airflow would suffer a blockage, with the “air,” literally having no room to “flow.” Result: Your clothes won’t dry completely. What you could do: Load the drum right. The judgment comes with practice, and yes, patience.
If the condition is contrary, i.e., fewer clothes, then all you need to do is to level the load. The tumble dry process would be smoother if this is done. As a saving grace, you may add a few clothes to the tub for the tumble dry cycle to function better.
➟ The Contents
This is an issue stomached by most dryers. If you throw in rough-and-tough clothing with your ‘recommended-gentle-wash-only’ apparel, the process would suffer incompatibility with the clothes in the dryer, with regard to the chosen cycle settings. The ‘gentle’ laundry would come out bone dry; however, the tough ones won’t as they retain more moisture than the former category.
➟ The Dryer Level
Know that there are moisture sensors that are predominantly located toward the anterior section of the drum. The clothes in the drum may partially come in contact with the moisture sensors, which results in inadequate drying of clothes. Besides, the user manual ought to guide you through the leveling process.
If you have managed to address the problem, it’s all well and good. However, if you haven’t been able to, don’t feel disheartened. Perhaps, you might want to involve an industry expert. They, indeed, would shoot all that is troubling your dryer!