Appliance Repair: Why Isn’t My Dryer Heating Up?

It might surprise you to learn that washing machine and clothes dryer fires cost homeowners roughly $200 million in annual property damage claims. Amongst the reported 15,980 yearly fires from clothes dryers and washing machines, dryers are responsible for 92% of them. 

If your dryer isn't heating up, you need to take it seriously to avoid a potential safety hazard in your home. The best way to ensure your appliances are running properly is with professional appliance repair. 

However, there are a few steps you can take if your dryer isn't properly heating up. Continue to read this helpful guide for key tips and tricks, so you know when to call in the pros. 

1. Dirty Lint Screen

As your clothes dry and tumble around the dryer, a mixture of high heat and agitation causes them to shed fibers. The lint screen is essential for catching the majority of these fibers, preventing obstruction in your dryer vent hose. 

When your lint screen becomes blocked by lint, it's not only a significant fire hazard, but it increases how long your clothes take to dry. You should always invest in residential appliance repair to ensure your appliances are in optimal working condition.

You must clean off your lint screen following each dryer use. Excessive amounts of lint accumulation reduce your dryer's airflow and stress the heating system while presenting as a safety hazard. 

A professional should deep clean your lint trap at least every six months. To help you remember, add it to the bi-annual deep clean schedule of your home.

However, you can deep clean it yourself using a nylon brush wet with hot water and liquid detergent. You'll need to scrub both sides of your lint screen, rinsing and drying it thoroughly before replacing it. 

Crushed or Blocked House Vent

A crushed or blocked vent may cause your dryer to stop working properly. Wet clothes tumble around your dryer, and steam is produced.

However, n construction prevents that steam from exiting your dryer, extending drying times significantly. Your dryer always needs to connect to a vent without any type of obstruction. 

Check the vent to your house for kinks and other blockages. If you suspect you have a broken dryer, call the pros for appliance repair.

Large Load Sizes

You may think you have broken appliances, but the issue might be as simple as an overly large load size. Dryers need adequate space so hot air can circulate freely.

When you have an extra large load in your dryer, it might not heat up as well as it should. A lack of adequate airflow means your drying time will be longer than usual while placing an unnecessary amount of stress on the dryer. 

Clothes Are Too Wet

When you place very wet clothes into the dryer, you'll notice the unit won't heat up properly. Extremely wet clothes create an abundance of moisture making it difficult for your dryer to work. 

If your clothes are too wet, run them through an additional spin cycle in your dryer to remove excess moisture before placing them in the dryer. 

Dryer Not Still Working? It's Time for Appliance Repair

If you've exhausted all your options and you still have a broken dryer, it's time to call in the pros. Appliance repair is an affordable alternative to replacing an existing unit and provides you with the peace of mind that your dryer is in optimal working condition. 

A+ Appliance can help. Contact us today for all your appliance repair needs, including washing machine repair and dryer repair.