Hearing a grinding sound when you use your dryer is alarming, so don’t just neglect your dryer. There are several reasons your dryer makes this kind of noise, and we’ll be talking about them here. Kenmore Best Appliance Repair Pro provides us with the best hacks to quickly and efficiently repair your dryer.
Here is what you can do to repair your noisy dryer and have it working correctly again.
- A screeching noise accompanies the grinding noise.
A grinding noise is already alarming, but when accompanied by a screeching sound, it’s more troubling and can cause panic. But not to worry; you can easily repair this issue and have a quiet laundry experience again.
- First, unplug the unit and move it to a bigger area where you can move freely and without obstacles. Don’t forget to disconnect the dryer vent to allow freedom to move around your dryer without tripping.
- Suppose your dryer is wired directly to your house or uses gas. In that case, it’s best to avail yourself of a Kenmore dryer repair since working under these conditions is dangerous, especially if you have no experience repairing a dryer.
- If your dryer is a regular plugged-in, you can start by locating the idler pulley. The pulley is a wheel that loops around the drum. See if any damaged, rusty or stuck items on the belt may cause the noise of the grinding and screeching.
- If things are stuck to the belt, removing them won’t be hard. If the drum or the pulley is forming rust that makes it difficult for the pulley to move, you’ll need to replace it immediately.
- If you can manually turn off the idler pulley, it’s still working properly, and you’ll need a professional to inspect your dryer for more serious problems that cause it to screech and grind.
- The dryer grinding noise also has a thumping sound.
A dryer making a thumping sound can be worrying, but first, check your drum and see if any towels or blankets are balled up and make the sound while the dryer is running. Heavy fabrics that ball up together can take a toll on your unit and develop damages that may be difficult to repair.
If there is nothing inside your drum, but the noise is loud, you might have one of the following problems:
- You have a flattened roller. A flattened roller is caused by not using your dryer often. The noise can come from the flat spot on the roller, but it can be restored when you run an empty cycle. It will be a bit noisy initially, but it will return to normal. If it doesn’t re-shape, you will need to replace it with a new one.
- You have a worn-out roller. A worn-out roller results from using your dryer a little too much or comes with the dryer’s age. You’ll need to replace the worn-out roller to eliminate the grinding and thumping sound. If you cannot do it yourself, opt for a professional technician to get the job done.
Maintenance Tips To Avoid Dryer Problems
Taking care of your dryer is a must to avoid problems that might cause early replacement. Here are maintenance tips you can easily follow to ensure your dryer works properly for many years.
Read your dryer manual
Your dryer comes with a manual when you buy it, and we know we often neglect the handbook, but it has helpful information about the proper usage of the appliance. Follow what is written in the manual and have a perfectly functioning dryer in no time.
Do not overload your dryer
Overloading your dryer will take a toll on its internal mechanism, allowing for malfunctions and damage to happen. Avoid these problems by placing the right amount of clothes every cycle. You’ll find the weight limit of your dryer in the manual, but some dryer brands have it stamped or printed on the surface of the dryer itself.
Always keep your dryer clean
As with any appliance, always keep your dryer clean. Remove lint stuck to the dryer and inspect the vents as much as possible. Dirt and debris can affect your dryer’s performance, stick to clothes, and ruin your dryer’s mechanism. So, after every cycle, remove any dirt inside the dryer.
Avail of professional maintenance services
We get that not everyone has the time to clean and maintain their dryers, so it’s best to avail of maintenance services to ensure your unit’s optimal performance. This way, you can rest assured that professionals are handling your dryer, which will last a lifetime.
Call Kenmore Best Appliance Repair Pro if your dryer is not working properly. We have the finest dryer repair services available, and we’ll have your unit working perfectly again.