Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer problem...

[Holdfast]

Any knowledgeable folks here re: washer/dryers?

My 10+ year old Servis has decided to stop drying properly. Everything else with it is fine, and it appears to work even when drying, it's just that the air doesn't heat up properly on the tumble-dry cycle. Mind you, the air's not totally cold, more lukewarm. Impossible to properly dry anything though, so I've resorted to leaving everything strewn over furniture waiting to dry naturally.

Given that it is heating the air a little, my guess is that the thermostat is screwed. Any other ideas?

I'm going to get an engineer out next week sometime to give me an estimate, but the machine is out of warranty and besides, I think the original company is now bust, so I'll have to get some local fellow out to have a look. I don't think I've had to use a domestic appliance repair guy before; should I expect similar labour costs to plumbers/electricians?

Worse, it's an integrated/built-in appliance so if the repair costs are too high, and it's more cost-effective to replace than repair, a glance at some online shops looks like it will cost me more than a stand-alone washer-dryer to replace...

Any recommendations as to brands/models? I'd prefer not to spend more than about £500 but it seems that for built-in washer-dryers rather than standalones, this doesn't get me much. Is it worth paying more for the Miele, Zanussi and other more expensive brands?

Also, I hear that newer models' wash cycles take forever? All the ones I've used before have only taken about an hour to wash, but I hear that new models, in a quest for greater efficiency, take 90-120 minutes for a single wash? Is that true? Seems ridiculously long.

One final (perhaps silly) question - can they maneouvre a built-in appliance out (or put in a new one) without removing worktop surfaces? It looks like it should be possible (if a little awkward), and I'd really prefer it if they don't start ripping up the fitted kitchen.

Funny, I've lived alone for many years now, but this is the first time I've had a problem with a washer-dryer. I feel quite hung out to dry, so to speak...

Any advice gratefully received!

 

[DarkHelmet]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

I would ensure that the dryer exhaust isn't blocked/congested due to lint. We had this issue - if it can't vent properly, the thermostat senses that it's getting too hot and will turn off the heater/heating coil ad infinitum.

Our problem was that lint had built up in the exhaust line about midway through the line. Vent cleaner came, cleaned and dryer worked like new!

 

[StolenThunder]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

Also, I hear that newer models' wash cycles take forever? All the ones I've used before have only taken about an hour to wash, but I hear that new models, in a quest for greater efficiency, take 90-120 minutes for a single wash? Is that true? Seems ridiculously long.

That's my experience. Our 'A' grade washing machine here is new (though an inexpensive example), and it generally takes in the region of two hours.

 

[Holdfast]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

I would ensure that the dryer exhaust isn't blocked/congested due to lint. We had this issue - if it can't vent properly, the thermostat senses that it's getting too hot and will turn off the heater/heating coil ad infinitum.

Our problem was that lint had built up in the exhaust line about midway through the line. Vent cleaner came, cleaned and dryer worked like new!

Fingers crossed it's that as it sounds a much simpler problem to fix. I cleaned the lint filter about 6 months ago, so I haven't checked it this time yet, but I'll try. I guess if it is blocked, it would be somewhere similar to yours. May I ask, how much did the job set you back?

Also, I hear that newer models' wash cycles take forever? All the ones I've used before have only taken about an hour to wash, but I hear that new models, in a quest for greater efficiency, take 90-120 minutes for a single wash? Is that true? Seems ridiculously long.

That's my experience. Our 'A' grade washing machine here is new (though an inexpensive example), and it generally takes in the region of two hours.

Man, that's annoying. Is the drying at least any quicker than in older models? It would currently normally take about 60 minutes (inc. 20 minutes cool-down cycle) for me to dry a week's worth of shirts to just shy of dry, as a comparison point.

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[T'Bonz]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

You could have a dead heating element. Not sure how many your dryer has, but if you have more than one and one goes out, that could cause what you have had happen.

 

[An Officer]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

Very long wash cycle here too, but I love it, clothes come out looking fantastic. Whatever you do though, don't get Becko - cheap brand, and it sucks. Only ever worked properly the first year (it has final spin problems). Won't try to save money on the washing machine next time. Caused more headaches than it was worth. Learned my lesson.

Zanussi is brilliant - have a fridge by them, and has lasted years without a single hiccup. Neff is also fantastic, have a dishwasher of that brand. I assume those two do their washing machines just as well. Good luck!

Ten years of flawless service from you machine is very impressive!

 

[StolenThunder]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

Is the drying at least any quicker than in older models? It would currently normally take about 60 minutes (inc. 20 minutes cool-down cycle) for me to dry a week's worth of shirts to just shy of dry, as a comparison point.

I just have a washer I'm afraid. Everything dries on clothes horses here!

 

[DarkHelmet]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

I would ensure that the dryer exhaust isn't blocked/congested due to lint. We had this issue - if it can't vent properly, the thermostat senses that it's getting too hot and will turn off the heater/heating coil ad infinitum.

Our problem was that lint had built up in the exhaust line about midway through the line. Vent cleaner came, cleaned and dryer worked like new!

Fingers crossed it's that as it sounds a much simpler problem to fix. I cleaned the lint filter about 6 months ago, so I haven't checked it this time yet, but I'll try. I guess if it is blocked, it would be somewhere similar to yours. May I ask, how much did the job set you back?

6 months? If we're referring to the same thing, which is the filter just inside the door that "collects" the lint, that should be cleaned (at least checked) every load.

But to be clear, I'm not just referring to that. I'm referring to the exhaust line, which begins inside the machine and vents outside of your home.

It cost us $70.

The following link is not the company we used, but similar. You can see pix of what I'm talking about. Linky

 

[Dr. Horrible]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

Any advice gratefully received!

Have you tried turning it off then turning it on again?

 

[Holdfast]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

You could have a dead heating element. Not sure how many your dryer has, but if you have more than one and one goes out, that could cause what you have had happen.

Hmm, could be. I guess that might be more expensive to replace than a thermostat.

Very long wash cycle here too, but I love it, clothes come out looking fantastic.

Well I guess that's some compensation! Maybe technology IS progressing after all...

Ten years of flawless service from you machine is very impressive!

Well, it went through a period of "squealing" a bit about a year ago, but that seems to have resolved by itself. The machine is about 10+ years old, but I've only lived in this property about 6 years and I do about 3-4 loads most weeks. I guess I've been lucky up to now; which cheers me up a bit!

6 months? If we're referring to the same thing, which is the filter just inside the door that "collects" the lint, that should be cleaned (at least checked) every load.

Probably. But I'm lazy.

I usually remember once every 3-6 months or so, and there's never vast quantities of lint there anyway.

But to be clear, I'm not just referring to that. I'm referring to the exhaust line, which begins inside the machine and vents outside of your home.

Oh, I see. Right, that makes sense. If I can get away with something in the order of $70, I'll be very happy!

Any advice gratefully received!

Have you tried turning it off then turning it on again?

I see I need to study contractual law more carefully before writing anything on here....

 

[propita]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

Yes, please check that lint exhaust line. If it builds up too much,

(1) The machine may overheat
(2) The drying ability may be affected
(3) The lint could overheat and catch fire

 

[T'Bonz]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

Hmm, could be. I guess that might be more expensive to replace than a thermostat.

Can't help you there. We carry a service contract on our main appliances. It pays for itself as something always breaks (like our A.C. now. ) I don't think it's horrendously expensive though to replace a heating element. Online I saw quotes of $45-80 U.S. but I didn't really look into it.

It also could be lint build-up in the hose that vents outside. That must be cleaned out every now and then, as others have said, as not only will that affect drying ability, but it could cause a fire.

Fixing the latter would cost nothing but effort.

 

[RoJoHen]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

Probably. But I'm lazy.

I usually remember once every 3-6 months or so, and there's never vast quantities of lint there anyway.

Um, the reason you empty the lint trap is because it can catch on fire. I'd suggest emptying it every time you take your clothes out of the dryer.


However, I agree that there is probably lint in the exhaust line. This happened to my family a few years ago, and they wouldn't stop complaining about how the dryer wasn't drying anymore. A couple months later, when I managed to take a trip home from college, the first thing I did was go outside and find the exhaust vent. Sure enough, there was a giant wad of lint blocking the steam from escaping. I took it all out myself, and the dryer worked perfectly from then on.

Other things I have fixed on my random weekend trips home from college include: the grill, the showerhead, and a clogged sink. I didn't realize how useful I was until I realized how useless my family is!

 

[FrontLine]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

I would ensure that the dryer exhaust isn't blocked/congested due to lint. We had this issue - if it can't vent properly, the thermostat senses that it's getting too hot and will turn off the heater/heating coil ad infinitum.

Our problem was that lint had built up in the exhaust line about midway through the line. Vent cleaner came, cleaned and dryer worked like new!

Fingers crossed it's that as it sounds a much simpler problem to fix. I cleaned the lint filter about 6 months ago, so I haven't checked it this time yet, but I'll try. I guess if it is blocked, it would be somewhere similar to yours. May I ask, how much did the job set you back?

You may need to hook a vacuum up to the vent line and suck it out, or hire a chimney sweep. They should be able to do this for you. It also could be that some of the heating coils have broken. An electric dryer works on the same principle as a hair dryer or toaster. The coils heat up and the hot air is carried via convection to dry the clothes. It should be a relatively inexpensive fix if you don't feel comfortable tearing the unit apart yourself.

And please, clean out the lint trap with every load. You of all should know this

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

Throw money at the problem; that usually seems to help.

 

[freak]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

I'd definitely clean the lint trap as well. It might be what our problem is on our washer and dryer as well. When those things fill up, the dryer doesn't get the clothes as dry as they should. It's a pain in the neck to put them in at a second drying cycle!

 

[Holdfast]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

Thanks everyone. TrekBBS delivers. I'm definitely going to check the lint trap before doing anything else (and will try to be good in the future about checking it more regularly). I've been a bit busy with one thing or another over the past couple of days so haven't got round to it yet, but thank you all again!

 

[RoJoHen]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

(and will try to be good in the future about checking it more regularly).

I mean, unless your dryer is completely backwards, the lint trap should be right in front. You just empty it as soon as you open the door. Grab the lint, and throw it away!

 

[Holdfast]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

(and will try to be good in the future about checking it more regularly).

I mean, unless your dryer is completely backwards, the lint trap should be right in front. You just empty it as soon as you open the door. Grab the lint, and throw it away!

Slightly different location on mine, but still easy to access. As I said, I'm lazy.

I do check it intermittently, though, and it never seems to have much lint in it. *shrug*

I'll check it before doing anything else, as I said.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

Re: Boring Topic Alert! But please help me anyway! Washer/Dryer proble

I'm surprised that you have any clothes that aren't dry cleaned ...