Tips to troubleshooting your clothes dryer for easy repairs
Posted on: 27 January 2015
The clothes dryer is one of the most frequently used home appliances. Therefore, it is easy to understand why it is prone to break down every so often. Most of the problems that affect your clothes dryer can be easily taken of without having to call a technician.
It is crucial to understand first how the drier works before you can carry out any repairs. Here is a simple guide to the various components of the machine and common problems that affects these components.
The Temperature Control
Every dryer has to have a heat source, whether gas or electric. Gas burners are quite popular and amazingly similar amongst different brands. The temperature control system is what keeps the drying temperature at optimum levels using thermostats, which may be adjustable or fixed. If you have any problems with the dryer temperature, check whether the heat supply is connected properly and the thermostat is set correctly.
Airflow and exhaust system
The exhaust duct carries the airflow that enables your clothes to dry in the dryer drum. It is important to keep the blower vents and exhausting ducts clean. Without good airflow, the clothes will be damp or have a musty smell when you take them out of the dryer. The airflow system has a lint filter that traps the lint; this lint can build up over the years and causes problems in the system. You should replace or clean the lint filters to prevent this problem. You can tell the airflow system is clogged up if the usual strong blast of air is not coming out of the dryer vent.
The drive train
You have probably noticed how the clothes tumble inside the dryer when it is running. This is due to the drive train that turns the dryer drum through a belt with the help of a motor. Sometimes the same motor is connected to the blower fan for the airflow system. If the drum is not turning, the belt or tensioner in the drive train may be broken.
However, the problem could be the door switch. If the drum continues to turn when the door is open, you should replace the door switch.
Other problems
When you put other items into the dryer along with the clothes, they can damage the dryer. Objects such as coins may cause a noisy clicking sound when the dryer runs. They get stuck easily in the plastic dryer vanes. Pens and pencils often are stuck in the blower when you hear a grinding sound. Follow the appliance manual for your dryer brand in order to locate these parts of the dryer to remove the objects.
For more information, contact a company like Tom's Refrigeration & Appliance Service.
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