My Tumble Dryer Takes Too Long To Dry

Tumble dryers are designed to make a job that would normally take a very long time be over, quickly aren’t they? Sure, it might still take a while (depending on the material) but in the vast majority of cases using a tumble dryer to dry your clothes will always be the faster option.

But what happens when your tumble dryer suddenly takes hours to do a job that should take minutes? You’ll notice if your tumble dryer suddenly starts taking to long to dry pretty quickly and there is nothing more annoying than having to take wet, soaking clothes out of your dryer.

Now when it comes to fixing the cause of the problem you might be fortunate and be able to fix the problem yourself. However, it could just as easily be a symptom of a larger problem, so you might need to call in a tumble dryer repair engineer as well. Well, let’s take a look at what could be causing your tumble dryer to take so long shall we?

One Check First

Before we go taking a look at the more complex problems you should consider how much you’re trying to dry in one cycle. If you’ve gone above your weight limit clothes will take longer to dry and you will also be damaging your machine as well.

You might also want to consider whether you’re choosing the best drying cycle for the clothes you’re trying to dry. While your dryer might work well at first even if you’re using the wrong cycle or have put too many clothes in it will quickly lose its effectiveness over time.

And remember if you’re unsure what cycle is best or how many clothes you can safely dry at a time you should check your dryer’s manual for more information. Sometimes a slight adjustment can make a big difference.

The Lint Filter

The lint filter should be one of the first things you check if you’re experiencing very long wait times while your dryer gets to work on your clothes. So, what does the lint filter do and why is it so important? Well true to its name the lint filter removes lint during your drying cycles.

This is very important because lint will restrict the flow of air during a cycle so the more lint there is the longer the drying time will be. So, check your lint filter regularly and clean it out often to avoid any build-up. The lint filter’s location from model to model will differ so check your manual for its location.

The Coil

This is only going to be a possible cause on gas dryers the coil or valve coil to give you the complete name is an essential component in gas dryers. But if they are damaged then they won’t ignite properly which can cause longer drying times or no drying at all in more serious cases.

Checking the coil can be difficult and replacing it should only be done by a professional, so if you have a gas dryer and suspect a problem could with your machine’s coil call in a professional tumble dryer repair technician as soon as possible.

The Drum Seal

The drum seal is a common culprit if you’re experiencing long drying times, the drum seal is a felt like material that cushions your dryer’s drum they also stop excess air from entering the machine. If the seal is torn or damaged in some way, then long drying times are going to become the norm until it’s repaired or replaced.

This can also happen due to age and it’s not unusual for clothing to get stuck in the gaps of the sealing if it’s torn. An early warning sign to look out for is a scraping or thumping noise that happens during a cycle, but a close inspection of the drum will also usually tell you quickly if it’s damaged in some way.

The Blower Wheel

The blowing wheel is attached to your dryer’s motor and it helps circulate air around the dryer. If it’s become loose then drying times will take a lot longer and it can cause further problems if left unchecked.

An early warning sign to look out for is a rumbling noise that happens during the drying cycle, in some cases, you’ll be able to secure the drying wheel back on yourself, but your best option will be calling in a tumble dryer repair expert.

So, that’s a look at the common problems that could be causing your dryer to take a long time to dry in a cycle. Remember it’s always best to call in an experienced repairman to handle these problems for you because that way you’ll be able to ensure a high-quality repair job.