Dryer Repair Tip: Don’t Ignore A Noisy Dryer

Whether your clothes dryer is making a grinding, squealing, or thumping noise, the unfamiliar sound is a good indication your appliance is experiencing a malfunction. Discovering what the issues is depends on the type of noise you’re hearing and the location it is coming from. To help you pinpoint the defect, we’ve listed 4 dryer parts that commonly produce an unusual noise when malfunctioning.

Dryer Belt

Your clothes dryer, whether electric or gas, uses a belt to rotate the dryer’s drum. Unfortunately, age can lead to the belt deteriorating. An older belt can become brittle causing it to separate in certain areas. When this occurs, you’ll usually hear a thumping sound as the drum turns. To inspect the belt simply remove your dryer’s front panel. If you spot any signs of fraying, the belt will need replacing.  Remove the belt and bend it with your hands to look for cracks.  If you see any, replace the belt.

Drum Glides

The glides, which are also referred to as slides or pads, supply the front of the drum with a smooth surface to spin on. Like the dryer belt, over time, the glides can become worn. As a result, you may begin to hear a grinding or scraping noise. If the glides need replacing, it is best to switch them out as a set instead of one at a time.

Drum Bearings / Rollers

The rear of your dryer’s drum is supported by bearings or rollers. If those bearings are defective or run-down due to years of use, you’ll hear a squeaking or squealing noise as your dryer drum rotates. To test whether or not the bearings are malfunctioning, manually rotate the drum. If you feel any resistance or you hear squeaking, you’ll need to replace your drum bearings.

If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, a call to your local dryer appliance repair technician is warranted.

If your dryer is making some unusual sounds and you’re unable to resolve the issue yourself, please contact us today and we’ll be happy to help you.