Capital Repairs have been London’s top appliance repairers for more than 35 years and over that time we’ve been asked, and answered, a lot of questions about tumble dryers!

We thought it may be useful to share some of the answers to those common questions we’re asked about tumble dryers so you can be prepared when and if your trusty dryer lets you down.

Don’t forget: If you’re having problems with your tumble dryer, the best thing to do is call us straight away on 0208 429 3727 so we can send out our technicians to diagnose the issue and fix it.

HOW LONG DOES A TUMBLE DRYER LAST?

A great deal depends on the brand, how often the tumble dryer is used, and how well it is cared for and maintained. On average though in our experience a tumble dryer can last between 10 and 15 years without developing a major or catastrophic fault.

SHOULD I FIX MY BROKEN TUMBLE DRYER OR BUY A NEW ONE?

If your tumble dryer is over 10 years old you can expect parts to start wearing and failing. In this instance, even though parts can be replaced, we would recommend replacing the machine with a new tumble dryer that will probably be more energy efficient and technologically advanced than  your old one.

A “young” tumble dryer (just a few years old or less) with a fault however is worth repairing, because most tumble dryer repairs are not serious or costly. If a quote for repairs is 50% or less of the dryer’s original cost then it is worth repairing.

Capital Repairs is a Euronics Supplier and can deliver replacement tumble dryers to any address in the London area.

WHY IS MY TUMBLE DRYER DRUM NOT TURNING?

The most common reason for this problem especially if the motor is running – and fortunately a quick fix – is a broken or loose tumble dryer drive belt. It’s a simple matter for a tumble dryer mechanic to replace a worn drive belt, but there are some other reasons why the tumble dryer drum is not rotating which are more tricky to identify and fix: the motor capacitor might have failed, requiring replacement (this is checked using a multimeter); the bearings could be faulty due to wear or damage; or the pulleys inside the tumble dryer have worn and come adrift.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY TUMBLE DRYER?

Tumble dryers are not very complicated machines, and are fairly robust, so if they stop working properly – or at all – finding the fault/s and fixing them is usually straightforward for an appliance engineer. Troubleshooting concentrates on the electrical supply, heat generation system, ventilation, and the mechanical action. Usually the problem is found to be a worn or damaged part which can be replaced relatively easily and inexpensively by an expert, so the dryer will function well again.

HOW DO YOU FIX A TUMBLE DRYER THAT WON’T TURN ON?

There are several possible causes for a tumble dryer failing to start up. The most common one in our experience is the burning out of the thermal fuse, which is a safety device that is designed to ensure your dryer doesn’t overheat. The fuse needs to be tested with a multi meter by an experienced tumble dryer repair engineer and replaced if it is found to have blown. A blown thermal fuse could indicate more serious problems, so the machine should be thoroughly checked to identify the cause for the fuse failure.

Other reasons for a tumble dryer failing to turn on are a damaged or defective door switch; a faulty drive motor; or a broken timer. All these require careful professional investigation and parts replacement. Capital Repairs are experts in Tumble Dryer Repairs in London.

WHY IS MY TUMBLE DRYER BLOWING COLD AIR?

If your tumble dryer is working, but blowing only cold air rather than hot, it could simply be because the machine has overheated and the thermal overload cut out feature has activated. If your dryer has a reset button at the rear you can fix this by pushing the button, but if it doesn’t have this facility you’ll probably need an engineer to replace the thermostat and thermal overload cut-out. You should also take note that the reason for a tumble dryer overheating could be that the filter is not cleaned regularly after use, the door has been opened mid-cycle or too soon after stopping so the dryer doesn’t have time to cool down, or that the dryer has been overloaded, blocking the airflow.

Whatever problems you experience with your tumble dryer, no matter the make or model, give Capital Repairs a call on 0208 226 5377 and our experts will be able to answer all your questions.