Dryer vent filled with water. Large loads would not dry.
Large loads, like several towels could run for 4 hours. Small loads, like a couple of sheets would dry okay.
I cleaned lint out of my dryer but it still would not dry.
Disconnected the dryer's vent from the wall and hot air was blowing out very strongly. This showed the blockage was something under the house.
22 years ago, when the builder built this townhouse he laid the dryer's ductwork (cheap vinyl) on top of the cold air line from the heat pump. Then hung the vinyl ductwork from the floor joists with the dryer's ductwork drooping.
When our washer stopped spinning as much as it should during the final rinse cycle, more water was left in the clothes. When the dryer would ''dry'' the steam being forced out from the dryer started turning to water drops. As the drops fell, the water drops filled up the dryer's ductwork and caused this ductwork to sag to the ground between every joist where the ductwork had been supported.
I have now replaced it with aluminum ductwork and its in a straight line with at least 6 inches clearance from the a/c's ductwork.
Builder had also inserted the vinyl dryer ductwork up thru the floor to reach the dryer. Due to how the a/c main trunk line and side lines are located, I could not reach this final piece of dryer's vinyl ductwork to replace it. With the dryer located in the middle of the townhouse, its a 45 foot run to the outside wall to vent the dryer. Builder also fastened the dryer ductwork's vent to the exterior wall, then cover it with vinyl siding. I would have preferred to replace this vent, but removing the siding is just too much work.
Re: Dryer vent filled with water. Large loads would not...
If the drying problem is caused by poor venting/air circulation, then things probably won't improve until that situation is remedied. Check out the link I am attaching. It contains dryer venting requirements. Hope this helped and I'm sorry for your trouble. Best wishes. http://www.mediafire.com/?4yazrf2jz3d
Testimonial: "Good info. System working okay now. I put 12 feet of flex pipe and then 25 feet of foil. The a/c ductwork prevents getting in to replace from dryer"
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Hello Lisa, If you use dryer softener sheets, I suggest that you remove the lint screen and gently wash it in dish soap and water to remove any softer build up on the screen. Let the screen dry and than try it. It doesn't take much build up to restrict the air flow through the screen since the holes are so small.
a dryer can only handel so much if you over load it it cant tumbel the load inside of it so the warm air wont dry them out,,,also what is it set on??? low or hight heat?? how wet are the sheets when you put them in the dryer??? is the dryer getting a good air flow,, it need to breath in lots of air,,,,and that hot wet air need to get out freely,,,if its even slightle blocked the dryer cant work well,,,how often do you clean out the dust filter in the dryer,,,(this should be cleaned every time you use it) also if the sheets just tiy them selfs into a big knot they wont dry
i hope this was of help to you
How damp are the towels? More moisture= more time to dry
Is the dryer full to the top with towels? There needs to be enough space to allow for air flow in and out. Also check exhaust vent to make sure it is not blocked.
Here are a list of causes that may contribute to this lack of sufficient drying.
CAUSE • Lint screen is clogged with lint. • Restricted air movement. Exhaust vent or outside exhaust hood is clogged with lint. • Exhaust vent is crushed or kinked. • One fuse is blown or circuit breaker is tripped. The dryer will appear to operate, but you will not get any heat. • Cycle Control knob or temperature selector is set on air dry. • Load not contacting the sensor strips and automatic cycle ending early. • Fabric softener sheets blocking exhaust grill. • Dryer located in room with temperature below 45ºF (7ºC). • Large amount of moisture in the load. • Cold rinse water used. • Load too large and bulky to dry quickly.
Here are the solutions to combat the issues.
SOLUTION • Clean lint screen. • Run dryer for 5-10 minutes. Hold hand under outside exhaust hood to check air movement. If you do not feel air moving, clean exhaust system of lint or replace exhaust vent with heavy metal or flexible metal vent. • Replace with heavy metal or flexible metal vent
• Replace fuse or reset breaker. • Select the right cycle and temperature for the types of garments being dried. • Level dryer. • Use only one softener sheet per load and only use it once. • Move dryer to a location with temperatures above 45ºF (7ºC). • Expect longer dry times with items that hold more moisture (cottons). • Expect longer dry times. • Separate load to tumble freely.
This will help you fix this problem. i suspect an exhaust obstruction.
I ALWAYS START WITH VENTING WHEN CALLED WITH LONG DRYING TIMES BUT I HAVE SEEN WHERE ONLY HALF OF THE HEATING ELEMENT IS WORKING, WHICH IS PRETTY RARE. A NORMAL LOAD WOULD BE WHATEVER THE WASHER HAD IN IT WHICH WOULD BE LOOSLY FILLED TO THE TOP ROW OF HOLES IN THE WASHER TUB. THE ONLY OTHER QUESTION I WOULD ASK IS IF THE WASHER SEEMS TO BE SPINNING OUT PROPERLY AND IF THE CLOTHES ARE GOING INTO THE DRYER TOO WET.
most of the time your complaint is the home owners house venting.run a load with the venting detached[it wont hurt a thing] if ok then must clean venting till dried as well as with out venting.if still long dry times first must make sure air ways in dryer are clean[should have good air flow at back if hand held there] and may need to remove front to clean lint filter area.and inspect blower ,making sure mounted to shaft and not worn in the center[blower key way, inside the hole where motor shaft goes thru blower]you dryer only has one element so if you have heat its heating.if you did all above and have problem still can be electronic[thermostats,timers etc........but i have fixed 1000s of dryers and their having problems are rarer.i hope that helps God bless ,tom
I think your vent has lint in the line between the wall and the outside of your house not allowing the moisture to get out
FIX
1 when the dryer is running go outside and observe the vent to see if hot air is coming out
2 Turn dryer off, disconnect electric from wall
3 pull dryer out from wall
4 take a nut driver or screw and remove the clamp that attaches the flex vent pipe to the wall
4 Also remove the flex pipe from the dryer
5 Inspect inside vent connection inside dryer for any trapped lint
6 inspect inside flex line for any lint
7 Look inside wall vent for lint you can also reach in with your hand to feel for lint
8 If you have a leaf blower or can borrow one(electric is best) from your neighbor put the snout of the blower into the vent going into the wall seal the area between the snout and the vent pipe at the wall ( i use duct tape you can use wash clothes rags etc
9 start blower and blow any lint in the line out through outside THIS WILL CLEAR THE LINT
10 Reattach the flex to the wall vent and dryer , plug in. run a load and you should be back in business
Excessive drying time can be caused by a number of things.
Is the vent clear of obstructions? If not then the vent and ducting will have to be cleaned. This ch be checked by removing the vent hos from the back of the machine and testing the dry time with a small load of a couple of towels.
Is the temperature hot inside of the dryer? If not then the heating element may have a problem.
Is the washer spinning most of the water out of the clothes? If not then the dryer is overworking to remove the water.
Is the dryer fairly old or was it a "scratch and dent" floor model? Then there may not be an adequate seal around the dryer drum and a lot of drying potential is lost.
Is there lint build up in the blower or is the blower not spinning? This cause the air to not circulate. It can be checked by removing the rear duct hose and running the machine.
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