A dryer that won’t heat, won’t start, or makes a grinding noise is one of the most common service calls we get in Vancouver. Here’s what actually goes wrong.
Dryer Won’t Heat
Before you call: check that the lint screen is clean and the exhaust hose isn’t crushed behind the dryer. A restricted airflow path will trip the thermal fuse and prevent heating — and the thermal fuse is a one-time device that has to be replaced once it blows.
If the lint screen is clean and the dryer still won’t heat, the most common causes are: a failed heating element (on electric dryers), a blown thermal fuse, a failed cycling thermostat, or a problem with the main control board. On Whirlpool, Maytag, and Kenmore dryers — the most common brands in Vancouver rental properties — the thermal fuse and the heating element are the two most frequent failures.
Grinding or Rumbling Noise During Spin
A noise during the spin cycle almost always means the drum roller bearings have worn out. The drum sits on two or more rollers that support it as it turns. Over 5-10 years of daily use, these harden, crack, and eventually seize. The noise is usually worst at the start of the cycle.
A screeching noise when the dryer starts or stops is usually the idler pulley — that spring-loaded wheel that keeps tension on the belt. This is a 15-minute fix once the part is in hand.
Dryer Takes Multiple Cycles to Dry Clothes
Almost always restricted airflow. If the dryer has been in place for more than two years without pulling it out and checking the vent hose, there’s likely significant lint buildup in the flexible hose behind the dryer. On dryers that have been used for two years, we find 100-500g of compacted lint in the vent hose in roughly 40% of cases.
What This Costs at Evo
- Heating element: $130-220
- Thermal fuse: $95-145
- Drum roller/roller bearings: $110-170
- Idler pulley: $95-145
- Dryer vent cleaning: $95-130
Book a Dryer Repair
Call or text (604) 200-3054 or book at evoappliances.ca. We service all makes and models across Metro Vancouver.
