Whirlpool Dryer Taking Long Time to Dry Clothes

I am having a problem with my whirlpool dryer taking a very long time to dry clothing. It used to be a large load of clothes took anywhere from about 40-60 minute to dry and now it's taking more than 2 hours for them to get dry. It takes 2-3 dry cycles sometimes. I don't know the exact model number of the dryer, but it was believed to have been new in 1999. I clean the lint screen out everytime as well. What should I check for a problem like this?

 

Gas or electric? If electric, it could have a burned out element. Before tearing into it, first check the entire length of your hot air discharge ducting. You may well find a spot in it which is choked up with years of lint. The dryer filter does not catch everything.

 

It is a gas dryer. My first plan is to take off the vent outside and clean it out. I have had problems with the hose coming off the dryer in the basement quite a bit which as a result would make the basement have a lot of humidity down there and smell a bit. And inside the hose was a lot of lint that is hard to clean.

 

Most long dry times are from clogged vent, Feel air volume at back of dryer than go outside should be near the same.

 

Hello: pcdoctor

Most of the times a clogged or restricted exhaust is the common cause for long dry times. As already mentioned. Vent tubing getting clogged up with lint. More often when dryer is in an unheated location. Moisture discharge and long lengths add to the problem.....

Cleaning and/or replacing the vent tubing or ducting, depending upon type, both the vent tubing, the machines internal blower housing and insuring the external vent hoods internal flapper door operates freely resolves the problem.

If the "hose" as you mentioned, comes off the exhaust hood or separates almost anywhere else, may be and usually is a sign of excessive back pressure. A result of an air flow restriction.

Be sure the blower housing and machines internal venting is also free of excessive lint. A major cause for the problem of long dry times and worse yet, fires.....

All explained in details HERE

Be sure the electrical power to the appliance is turned off, before attempting any repairs or services. Always check for gas leaks whenever moving the appliance and/or a service or repair includes any connection of a gas part.

DRYER SERVICE TIP: (Gas and/or Electric)
It's always advisable to clean the entire exhaust venting system every 2 years. Or during any dryer maintenance, replacement and or repairs.

 

And if you have dryer ducting (vinyl flex is the culprit) that does not sharply leave the machine and go directly to the outside venthood - but rather coils around or drapes on the floor first - water can condense in that section on a cold basement floor, and fill up the vent tubing in it's low spot, making it so the lint cannot get out(nor the heat very well), and then may even try to blow the hose off due to backpresure.
This moisture/water also causes lint to stick and build up.

I had a dryer in a rental in a basement a number years ago that I literally was able to pour water out of the hose behind the dryer! Another time someone had the flex duct hung across the basement ceiling, originating from an upstairs laundry - and it went across about 1/2 the length of the basement like a sagging anaconda snake. And at I think the first swag, the entire swag was full of water! It condensed out because the dewpoint was reached between the internal warm temp in the duct, and the outside surface of the ducting being cold in the basement.