Clothes dryers are huge lifesavers when it comes to laundry. They save effort and time by drying your clothes and ensuring your laundry gets done. If you have a clothes dryer at home, you will not have to rely on the weather to dry your clothes. That is why when your dryer malfunctions, your laundry can get piled up, and your entire routine can get affected. While it is always a good idea to hire a Toronto dryer repair professional to check your dryer, below are some common problems and tips to troubleshoot them before contacting the professionals:
Heating Element Issue
The heating element in your dryer warms the air in the drum. It helps to dry your clothes. Over time, it may malfunction and not work properly. It may also get overheated, creating a safety issue.
To troubleshoot the heating element, you must test it for continuity using a multimeter or an ohm meter. The heating element should display a reading of 20-50 ohms. You will not see any sign of continuity if the element has crashed and needs replacement.
Blown Thermal Fuse
The thermal fuse is a safety device found in the dryer’s back cover panel. It is placed inside or above the exhaust duct. It helps prevent fires in the dryer. The fuse will trip when the dryer overheats. While a safety feature, this mechanism can stop your dryer from functioning correctly. You need to test the fuse with a multimeter to check if it is blown. Set the multimeter to the lowest RX setting. Touch the right lead to the right terminal on the fuse. Repeat the same process on the left side. The multimeter should display a reading of zero resistance. If it doesn’t show zero resistance, you will have to replace it.
Defective Cycling Thermostat
The cycling thermostat regulates your dryer’s internal temperature. It switches the heating element on and off to regulate the temperature. If the thermostat gets spoiled, it will not be able to gauge the temperature correctly and keep it steady. It could also overheat the dryer or fail to shut off. You can use a multimeter to check if you have a defective cycling thermostat. Connect the multimeter test leads to the right wire terminals. If the thermostat is broken, the display will show an infinite reading.
Obstructed Ducting
A clothes dryer could be ventless or vented. A vented dryer will need a venting duct. The venting system ejects the heated air outside. If it gets clogged, this air will get trapped inside, leading to overheating. You may notice a burning smell from your dryer. It may also catch fire in the worst-case scenario. You must clean your ducting regularly to avoid any of the above situations. Clear the lint, dirt, dust, and unwanted debris. Ensure the ducting is properly straightened and not twisted if it is made of flexible material.
Unusual Noises from the Dryer
It is perfectly normal for your dryer to make some noise when drying your clothes. But sometimes, you may notice unusual noises. There could be various reasons for these noises:
- Your dryer may not be level if you notice vibrations or thumping noise. Adjust each leg of the dryer and level it from front to back and side to side to prevent this noise.
- Loud thumping sounds can indicate balled-up or knotted clothing. This can happen if you don’t load the dryer correctly. Remove the knotted clothes and give them a shake before putting them back in the dryer.
- Check for small things like buttons, coins, or paper clips in your dryer drum. Sometimes, these items can get caught between the drum and the rear or front of the dryer. Inspect the drum with a flashlight to ensure there is nothing. Ensure you check the pockets of all your clothes before loading them into the dryer.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Troubleshooting Your Dryer
Below are a few things to keep in mind before you begin troubleshooting your dryer:
- Unplug the dryer from the power source
- Refer to the owner’s manual for instructions on accessing, removing, or replacing certain parts.
- Ensure your multimeter is properly set up and calibrated
- Ensure you detach the component you want to check from the dryer
- Call the manufacturer before changing anything with the appliance if the dryer is still under warranty.
If you are unsure what to do, call a professional dryer repair company like EZFix Appliance Repair. They offer dryer and other appliance repair services. They can diagnose the problem with your dryer and provide efficient and long-lasting solutions.