Two tumble dryer problems deserve attention straight away. The first is a burning smell. Lint is flammable, and a dryer packed with it, in the filter, the vent hose or around the heater, runs hot. If your dryer smells of burning, stop it, switch it off at the wall and leave the door closed while it cools. The second is a cycle that never seems to end, which usually means the dryer can't get rid of the damp air, and is working far harder than it should.
Both are usually fixable, and both are much less likely when the lint is kept under control. The technician comes to you, tests the dryer where it stands, and tells you what's wrong and what the repair will cost before any work starts. If you're on shift, mention the hours you're home when you book.
Suburbs we cover in Kempton Park
From Rhodesfield and Bonaeropark near the airport to Norkem Park and Glen Marais, the technician comes to your dryer. We cover:
- Birchleigh
- Norkem Park
- Rhodesfield
- Edleen
- Glen Marais
- Bonaeropark
- Van Riebeeck Park
- Aston Manor
Tumble dryer faults we fix in Kempton Park
Burning smell
Lint build-up near the heater, a blocked vent, or a worn belt or roller rubbing. Stop the dryer, switch off at the wall, and have it checked before using it again.
Cycle never finishes
On a sensor-dry programme, the dryer keeps going until the clothes are dry. A blocked filter or vent, a clogged condenser or a dirty moisture sensor keeps it running.
Cuts out when hot
The thermal cut-out trips to stop the dryer overheating, usually because air can't flow through the lint filter, the vent or the condenser.
Blowing cold
A failed element, a blown thermal fuse after overheating, or a faulty thermostat. Clear the lint and the vent before the new part goes in, or it will fail again.
Won't start after a power cut
A surge can damage the control board or blow a fuse. Check the plug point and the breaker first.
Dirty moisture sensor
Two metal strips inside the drum measure how damp the clothes are. Softener residue coats them, and the dryer stops too early or runs too long. A wipe with a damp cloth often helps.
Drum won't turn
The motor hums but the drum doesn't move: the belt has snapped or slipped off, or the idler pulley has failed. A new belt is a straightforward repair.
Lint and safety
Lint is behind a lot of dryer trouble, and it's a fire risk if it's ignored. Keep it under control:
- Empty the lint filter after every load, even small ones.
- Every few months, check the vent hose for crushing, kinks and lint, and clear the outside vent flap.
- On a condenser or heat-pump dryer, clean the condenser and the second filter as the manual describes.
- Don't run the dryer while you're asleep or out of the house.
- Never dry items soaked in oil, petrol or solvents, even after washing.
Sensor drying and endless cycles
Most modern dryers have sensor programmes that stop when the clothes are dry, instead of running for a fixed time. They measure moisture through two metal strips in the drum. When the strips are coated in softener residue, or the dryer can't remove damp air because of a blocked filter or vent, the sensor reading never says dry, and the cycle goes on and on.
Wipe the sensor strips with a damp cloth, clean all the filters and check the vent or condenser. If the cycle still won't finish, the sensor or the control board needs a technician.
Drying work clothes and uniforms
Uniforms and workwear are often polyester or blends that don't like high heat. Check the care label and use a low or synthetics setting: it's kinder to the fabric and to the dryer's heater. Empty the pockets of pens, lighters, earplugs and tools, which can melt, burn or jam the drum.
Reflective strips and printed logos can crack or peel on a hot setting. If in doubt, hang those items to dry and keep the dryer for towels and everyday clothes.
After you book
Book online, on WhatsApp or by phone, and tell us when someone will be home. Typically at your door within 60 minutes for same-day bookings. Track your technician live: when they leave, you get a live tracking link on your phone.
The technician tests the dryer, checks the heater, the cut-outs, the sensor and the airflow, and explains the fault and its price before any work starts.
No call-out fee when we repair it.If no repair is done, a R500 call-out applies. The technician finds the fault and explains the repair before any work starts, so you decide whether to go ahead.
Book a repairTumble dryer repairs in Kempton Park: your questions
My tumble dryer smells like burning. What should I do?
Stop it, switch off at the wall and leave the door closed while it cools. Don't use it again until a technician has checked it. Lint near the heater is the usual cause.
Why does my dryer keep running and never finish?
On a sensor programme, it's waiting for the clothes to dry. Clean the filters, check the vent or condenser and wipe the sensor strips in the drum.
Why does my dryer stop when it gets hot?
The safety cut-out is tripping because air can't flow. Clear the lint filter, the vent hose or the condenser. If it keeps cutting out, book a technician.
Can I dry trainers in my tumble dryer?
It's best not to. Trainers thump around the drum, can damage it and the door, and the heat can melt glue and soles. Air-dry them, or use a drying rack if your dryer came with one.
What does a tumble dryer repair cost in Kempton Park?
A clean sensor or a cleared vent costs nothing but a few minutes. A thermal fuse, an element or a belt is a modest repair, and a board is the dearer one. The price comes before any work starts.