From sheets and comforters to towels and jeans, your washer and dryer are put through a great deal of stress over the years. Unfortunately, appliances do not last forever, so you may need to repair or replace one at one point in time. Considering it requires a good amount of energy and effort to dry your clothes and linens, the dryer will most likely need to be repaired or replaced at one point in time. If you are noticing one or more of these signs, your dryer is most likely in distress.
Clothes Are Damp
If your clothes are damp after running through a normal cycle, there is an underlying problem that needs to be addressed.
If your clothes are damp, feel the air inside the dryer. After it first stops, the air should feel hot. If not, your dryer is not heating properly, which is why your clothes are damp.
In most cases, this is an issue related to the heating element. Replacing the heating element may be possible, but it is a costly repair. Buying a new dryer may be less expensive.
Diagnosing a heating problem with a gas dryer is a bit more difficult. If your clothes are damp and the air inside the dryer does not feel hot, you may have an issue with your gas valve or the flame sensor may be malfunctioning. Contact an appliance repair specialist to determine the cause before using your dryer any further.
It Is Old
Again, appliances do not last forever, so if your dryer is old, it is most likely time to replace it. Of course, determining the lifespan of your specific dryer is difficult, since each make and model is built differently. Also, the amount of use your dryer receives can affect its total lifespan.
In most cases, the lifespan of a traditional household dryer is between 10 and 13 years. If your dryer is still running after this period of time, it is most likely using a great deal of unnecessary energy to dry your clothes. This increases your energy bills, causing financial and environmental waste.
It Is Loud
Drying a large number of clothes, heavy towels, and linens will require some force, which can be loud at times. However, if your dryer is making excessively loud thuds and bangs during a normal cycle, the dryer belt may have broken or unraveled.
The belt moves the dryer's motor, allowing the drum to spin. If the drum is unable to spin, your clothes will not be able to tumble dry, leaving them soaking wet in the dryer's drum.
Replacing the dryer's belt is usually an inexpensive repair, but consult a professional to ensure this is the cause of your problem.
Repairing or replacing your dryer will be likely over the years, so learning these warning signs is smart. For more information, talk to a company like A-1 Appliance Service.
