A clothes dryer can be a lifesaver for large families with lots of laundry constantly piling up. This device saves the time you might have spent waiting for clothes to dry. Besides, you no longer have to worry about not having enough space in the house to hang your wet laundry. In short, the dryer has many advantages, but there are also disadvantages. For example, the dryer can break down at the most inopportune moment. This article will consider why this happens and which parts of the dryer are most vulnerable.
Dryer Construction
Now there are many models with their features, but in general, all dryers consist of such parts:
- Clothes drum. That is a significant part where things are loaded.
- Engine. It ensures the device’s operation.
- Belt. Connect the motor to the drum and make it rotate.
- Heating element. Heats the air, which then enters the clothing drum.
- Convector. With it, cold air enters the inside of the machine.
- Condensate tank. That is a reservoir that collects the liquid during the drying cycle.
- Lint filters. They collect threads and lint and prevent them from getting into other parts of the dryer.
- Dryer door. It can be with or without glass.
- Control panel. Panel on the outside of the dryer with the buttons and other controls.
Causes of Dryer Breakdown
In most cases, the cause of dryer failure is trivial ― improper use. Let’s analyze what frequent mistakes people make and what they affect.
- Natural wear and tear. Of course, some parts don’t last forever and can fail over time. For example, the insulation on the vent pipe may have broken. The vent hose may have been of poor quality and damaged due to a drastic temperature change. Fortunately, this part is simple to replace. You can buy the best dryer vent hose that will fit your machine’s model and be safe and resistant to moisture and temperature extremes.
- Overloading the drum. The instructions for each dryer specify the maximum weight of clothing that can be loaded. But people often ignore these rules and put too much stuff in the drum. First, it puts too much strain on the drum and related parts. Second, the motor works harder to dry more laundry, which causes it to overheat.
- Careless use. In addition to overloading the machine, people may be sloppy in closing and opening the door, pushing the buttons too hard, and so on.
- Poor maintenance. Like any other household appliance, the machine requires careful care and cleaning. During operation, threads and lint can accumulate in machine parts and, over time, clog water drain hoses, etc.
- Factory defect. Unfortunately, no one is insured against the situation when you bring home a new piece of equipment that doesn’t turn on. For such cases, the manufacturer provides a warranty card.
Use the Dryer Gently
Any dryer can break down for a variety of reasons. But no matter how expensive or cheap the appliance is, it requires careful use. Following simple rules can ensure that your dryer will last for years to come.
