The Dry Cycle is Unusually Slow
When the dryer takes forever and a day to finish one cycle, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Although it’s equally likely that the dryer is old and malfunctioning, the root of the problem could be something far more common and mundane: the dryer vent is blocked. One way to start getting to the bottom of things is to feel your laundry after one regular cycle: do the items in the dryer still feel damp? It happens more often when you attempt to dry off a massive load of clothes, towels, or other washables all at once. But lint will get in the way, force the machine to work harder to compensate, and as a result, shorten the expected lifespan of one of the essential appliances in your home.
Clothing and Components are Hot
On the other hand, another warning sign is when everything is too hot. Something is interfering with the dryer vent and its ability to expel exhaust out of your home. If you don’t do anything about it, you’ll also see your energy bills start to rise. Spring won’t be around for much longer, and doing the laundry will be much more frustrating during the summer if you’re worried about wasting energy. Plus, the heating element could be wearing down faster than expected, which is another problem you will have to confront.
You Smell Something Burning
It’s never a good sign whenever you smell something burning. However, in this case, it doesn’t have to do with leaving the stove on or leaving the roast for dinner in the oven too long. That burning smell could be coming from lint that has caught fire. It could also be due to other components failing, or something in the dryer that shouldn’t be there.