A “significant” number of tumble dryers could pose a fire risk, admits manufacturers who have been forced to roll out a national repair programme. Owners of large air-vented dryers and condensing dryers under the Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda brands, bought between April 2004 and October 2015, may need to have them fixed. Indesit said excess fluff could catch the heating element in the machine and cause a fire. The company said the tumble dryers could still be used but warned they should not be left unattended. The company, acquired by Whirlpool last year, is in the process of contacting customers it believes may be affected. And they are also asking owners to check whether their machines are one of those affected and, if so, to contact the company through a dedicated website. A spokesman for Indesit said: “We estimate that a significant number of units will be affected, but at this stage, we cannot speculate regarding the specific figure.” There are an estimated 30million Whirlpool, Indesit and Hotpoint machines in UK households.

In June, consumer group Which? said nearly 12,000 fires in the past three years in Britain had been the fault of defective white goods and kitchen equipment. The affected brands are: How can I find out if my model is affected: Customers can check online whether their model is affected at http://safety.hotpoint.eu or http://safety.indesit.eu Customers can also call 0800 151 0905 What owners of these tumble dryers should do: Contact Indesit on 0800 151 0905 if they have any concerns and have not yet been contacted about their tumble dryer Continue to use their appliances but until updated follow the original instructions for using the appliance. Fiberglass Deer Blinds West TexasNot leave the appliance unattended during operation. Persian Cross Kittens For Sale DorsetCheck the lint filter after every cycle. Schnoodle Puppies For Sale In Ny

Ensure proper venting as directed in the original operating manual.DIY repair the most common problems with your tumble dryer.  The most common faults are 'tumble dryer not heating up' and 'tumble dryer drum won't turn.  With our expert guide below you'll be surprised just how easy they are to fix yourself. Why Is My Tumble Blowing Cold Air & Dryer Not Heating Up? Tumble Dryer Not Turning Tumble Dryer Not Drying Properly Why Does My Tumble Dryer Keep Tripping the Electric? Why is My Tumble Dryer Making A Banging Noise? Why Does My Tumble Dryer Make a Grinding Noise? There’s nothing worse, is there? You put your wet clothes in the tumble dryer and remove them an hour or two later only to discover they’re just as damp as when they went in. Generally, you’d release a small shriek of panic then call an engineer. There are, however, a few checks you can do yourself which may save you from picking up the phone. Here are some of the most common faults that could explain why your tumble dryer isn’t heating up.

Tumble Dryers With Re-Set Buttons Tumble Dryers Without Re-Set Buttons For further information about tumble dryer thermostats see 'tumble dryer thermostats - all you need to know'. How to replace tumble dryer thermostats: How to replace a tumble dryer heating element: Why Does My Tumble Dryer Overheat And Trip The Thermostat? The most important part of a tumble dryer, after the ability to dry, is the ability to tumble. Of course, if your tumble dryer isn’t tumbling, it also won’t dry properly, so a non-tumbling tumble dryer is a problem to be fixed just as soon as physically possible. One of the most common problems with a tumble dryer is that the belt has snapped, causing the drum to fail to turn. Checking the drive belt is, therefore, a great idea. Before checking the drive belt, always disconnect the dryer from the mains. The belt on a dryer is harder to get to than on a washing machine. Removing the back will often just reveal the heating element.

Removing the front and sides may be necessary. Heating the belt with a hair-dryer may allow the belt enough give to make fitting easier. Some dryers require a special tool in order to attach the belt. This special tool is simply called a Tumble Dryer Drive Belt Fitter, and can be found easily online. Moving the drum by hand might help you work out if the drive belt has completely snapped and fallen free. If moving the drum by hand is easier than usual, the drive belt has snapped. If moving the drum by hand is harder than usual, the drive belt may have become tangled. How to replace a tumble dryer belt: If it’s not the belt, it might be the capacitor that’s faulty, in which case you’ll need to consider the following: Capacitors can give electric shocks if faulty. Do not handle them unless you know exactly what you are doing. If the capacitor has developed a fault, you will be able to spin the drum by hand, quickly shut the door and then get the machine running – until it has to change directions.

This is because the capacitor kick-starts the motor. If you can manually kick-start the motor and it works fine, then the capacitor is the most likely problem. How to replace a tumble dryer capacitor: Alternatively, the motor itself may have developed a fault – in this case you will need to replace the entire motor. If neither the drive belt nor the capacitor is faulty, it is likely to be the motor that is the problem. If your tumble dryer won’t dry, it can pose a real problem, especially if you don’t have access to enough space to dry your clothes out on a clothes-line. Fortunately, we can offer some helpful advice on getting your dryer up-and-running again. Tumble Dryer Won't Start At All If your tumble dryer won’t even start, it is probably because a fuse is blown (you checked that it was plugged in and turned on, right?). Failing that, the door may not be properly closed, or the socket itself might be broken. To check the socket, plug in a different appliance and see if that works – if it doesn’t, it’s almost certainly a problem with the socket.

Starts but won't heat up On the other hand, if your tumble dryer is starting up, but isn’t heating up at all, then see our guide on Why is my tumble dryer not heating? There are slight differences between ‘vented’ tumble dryers and ‘condenser’ tumble dryers, although some of the problems overlap. For either vented or condenser dryers, you may have one of the following problems: ‘Vented’ tumble dryers are dryers which vent excess condensation outside. If you have a vented tumble dryer you may have a warped or kinked vent hose. ‘Condenser’ dryers are dryers which collect condensation into a tray, to be disposed of. If you have a condenser dryer you may have one of the following problems: It can be both frustrating and worrying if your electrics trip (turn off) every time you use your tumble dryer. Any issues that affect your electric system should be addressed as soon as possible. If your tumble dryer keeps tripping the electric, it could be a result of the condenser box getting blocked with wet, soggy lint or fluff and debris from clothes.

As some clothes shed more than others, it’s best to keep a regular eye on this. When the condenser box gets partially blocked it doesn’t condense the steamy, moist air into water efficiently, so the insides of the dryer get steamy and damp. It depends on the amount of moisture and the make of the tumble dryer, but if any particularly vulnerable part of the dryer gets damp it will result in a ‘flash-over’ between a live component and neutral or earth. This causes the RCD to trip (MCB in older units) and a fuse to blow. Most of the time a tumble dryer will work like a dream but, as with all appliances, occasionally there will be technical problems. If your tumble dryer is making a banging, whining (or other strange noise) it’s best to diagnose and sort out the problem. It could be the result of a number of things, but what you certainly don’t want to do is ignore it. Here are the most common reasons for your tumble dryer making odd noises. One of the most common reasons for a banging, rattling or clanking is keys or coins left in pockets – so always check them before you put any clothes in the tumble dryer.

More often than not you won’t hear anything until the dryer cycle is in full spin. If the dryer is vibrating or shaking during spinning, check to make sure the dryer’s sitting on a level surface. If it’s fitted with height adjusters on the front legs, adjust them accordingly to ensure the machine is level as this will often reduce or eliminate the banging sound. If the tumble dryer is noisy when its turning and the whole appliance is shaking and rumbling, it could be indicative of a problem with the drum bearings, which help the wheels turn freely and easily. If the banging noise is continuous when the drum is turning then it might be problem with the drum itself. If the noise is a metallic one, it could be the result of the drum scraping on something inside the machine. You could always check the drum visually for any marks or dents. If the tumble dryer is emitting a high-pitched screaming or whining noise it could be a sign that the motor bearings are wearing out.

If there’s a squeaking noise coming from the dryer it could be the result of wear on the tension pulley wheels. This occurs more frequently on older models. A tumble dryer is an absolute godsend when it works properly, providing clean, dry laundry every time. However, like all electrical appliances it can be susceptible to the occasional problem or fault, and a grinding noise is one of the most common. Here are a few of the most common causes. A possible reason for your tumble dryer making a grinding sound is because there’s a metal object hitting the sides of the drum. Stop the machine and check for coins, keys, belt buckles or screws and take them out. The best advice is to check all your pockets BEFORE you put your clothes in the dryer. The rollers are a small set of (usually metal) wheels attached to the exterior of the drum that help it spin. If they start to wear it can cause a grinding noise when the drum turns. Replacing the worn rollers for new ones should sort out the problem.

On some tumble dryers the drum’s outer rim is a pair of gliders which act as a protective barrier to prevent the rim coming into direct contact with the metal cabinet when the drum spins. They’re usually a thin seal made of nylon or plastic, depending on your dryer model. They wear down over time, resulting in a grinding or whining noise. To stop these noises you’ll need to replace them (they’re sold as a pair so it’s best to replace them both so they wear evenly). There’s a long, thick rubber belt that encompasses the centre of the drum which supports it and allows it to rotate. If the belt slips from its position it could start making a grinding noise because it’s trying to maintain its position as the drum spins. See how to replace your tumble dryer belt above. The tensioner (or idler pulley) keeps the belt firmly positioned on the drum, and the belt goes over the component’s bracket which is attached to a wheel and spring. When the wheel malfunctions it can result in a grinding noise because it’s struggling to turn and maintain the belt’s tension.