With the surf on one side and Lake Illawarra on the other, washing in Warilla doesn't dry easily on the line through the cooler months. From late autumn until spring the dryer runs most days, and those months are when its weak spots give out.
Warm to start, cold by the end
A dryer that starts warm and then cools partway through a cycle has usually tripped a thermal cut-out. That safety device switches the heat off once the cabinet runs over temperature, and in most dryers the thing driving the temperature up is poor airflow. Lint on the screen, lint packed into the duct under the screen housing, or a vent hose crushed when the dryer was pushed back against the wall all do it.
Empty the lint screen at the start of each load, and lift it out now and then to check the slot below for build-up. Pull the dryer forward and make sure the hose runs free and round, not flattened. If you've done those and it still runs cold, the cut-out, the thermal fuse or the element may need replacing.
The outside end of the vent deserves a look as well. A wall flap that has stuck shut with lint and salt, or a hose run that's too long with too many bends, holds back the air just as a crushed hose does. Shorter and straighter is better.
Carport and awning dryers
Plenty of Warilla dryers sit in a carport or under the back awning beside the washer. Out there, humid air off the lake and salt off the beach get into the machine through its vents. The controls and wiring corrode, and damp lint clings inside the drum housing and the ducts, where it holds moisture against the metal. A dryer outdoors needs shelter from rain and direct weather, and a look behind it every few months for lint and leaves.
Wall-mounted dryers
If your dryer hangs on a wall bracket above the washer, check the bracket every so often. A dryer that vibrates, leans forward or has started to sag on one side should be looked at before it works loose. The fixings into older fibro walls in particular deserve attention.
Brands we see here
Fisher & Paykel, Electrolux, Haier and Beko account for most of the dryers we're called to around Warilla, and we're authorised for all of them. The model number, usually on a plate inside the door opening or on the back panel, helps us bring the right thermostat or element. Diagnosis is a flat $125, and you get a quote before anything is replaced.
Questions from Warilla
What makes a dryer keep blowing its thermal fuse?
Because the dryer is overheating, almost always from restricted airflow. A clogged lint screen, lint packed in the ducting or a crushed vent hose traps the heat inside. It will keep happening until the airflow is sorted out.
Can I keep my dryer in the carport?
You can, but it needs shelter from rain and wind, and it will be exposed to salt and humidity. Keep it off wet concrete and clear lint out regularly. Expect more corrosion than on a dryer kept indoors.
Do you repair Haier and Beko dryers in Warilla?
Yes. We're authorised for Haier, Beko, Fisher & Paykel, Electrolux and the other major brands. That covers in-warranty repairs too, as long as you have proof of purchase.