Is my brand new clothes dryer gonna bite the dust already?
February 28, 2010 6:58 PM Subscribe
Is my brand new clothes dryer already messed up?
I bought a brand new Kenmore 800 Series clothes dryer last week. Today, my adjoining neighbor (in a duplex) dried her clothes for the first time since I've had mine hooked up. My apt smelled like fabric softener, but other than that, I didn't think there was a problem.
Well, a couple hours later I went to use my dryer and noticed a small puddle of water under it (about 1/2 cup). At first I thought my washer was leaking, but the puddle was clearly only under the front part of the dryer. When I opened my dryer, there was condensation all over the interior. Lots of it. I finally realized that the output of her dryer was coming into mine (the vent is shared, apparently).
I removed the vent pipe from the rear and ran the dryer for a couple minutes. It seems to run fine. Another 1/2 cup or so of water came out the vent port at the bottom of the dryer.
Now I'm kinda worried... could this have damaged my dryer? If so, I can probably take it back (or something, I don't have a truck).
I also noticed that the dryer is making a clunking sound now, but I don't know if I'm just being paranoid. Every time the drum rotates I hear "hummmmm... cla-dunk.... hummmmmm.... cla-dunk.... hummmmmmm... cla-dunk" where the hummmmm is the normal sound of the dryer operating. The cla-dunk is not too loud, but clearly something is going on. This is with nothing in the dryer. Is there any explanation for this? I'm sure I would have noticed it earlier this week when I did laundry, but I didn't.
I bought a brand new Kenmore 800 Series clothes dryer last week. Today, my adjoining neighbor (in a duplex) dried her clothes for the first time since I've had mine hooked up. My apt smelled like fabric softener, but other than that, I didn't think there was a problem.
Well, a couple hours later I went to use my dryer and noticed a small puddle of water under it (about 1/2 cup). At first I thought my washer was leaking, but the puddle was clearly only under the front part of the dryer. When I opened my dryer, there was condensation all over the interior. Lots of it. I finally realized that the output of her dryer was coming into mine (the vent is shared, apparently).
I removed the vent pipe from the rear and ran the dryer for a couple minutes. It seems to run fine. Another 1/2 cup or so of water came out the vent port at the bottom of the dryer.
Now I'm kinda worried... could this have damaged my dryer? If so, I can probably take it back (or something, I don't have a truck).
I also noticed that the dryer is making a clunking sound now, but I don't know if I'm just being paranoid. Every time the drum rotates I hear "hummmmm... cla-dunk.... hummmmmm.... cla-dunk.... hummmmmmm... cla-dunk" where the hummmmm is the normal sound of the dryer operating. The cla-dunk is not too loud, but clearly something is going on. This is with nothing in the dryer. Is there any explanation for this? I'm sure I would have noticed it earlier this week when I did laundry, but I didn't.
Clunking I don't know, but the water is due to condensation from the neighbor's dryer. Probably the vent needs to be cleaned, or there was a one-way valve that didn't get reinstalled when the new one was put in.
posted by gjc at 7:01 PM on February 28, 2010
posted by gjc at 7:01 PM on February 28, 2010
Response by poster: I checked the shared vent pipe and it was full of lint. I think I got all of it out, but the heat from her dryer is still wanting to come into my apt. It doesn't help that heat rises -- the shared part of the vent goes down under the crawlspace somewhere, while my connection to it is above hers.
In addition to wanting to know if it possibly damaged my dryer, I would also appreciate any tips or links to products that could resolve this issue. Is it even code compliant to vent two dryers to one vent? (assuming the vent is normal size and there's no supplemental fan on it)
posted by buckaroo_benzai at 7:11 PM on February 28, 2010
In addition to wanting to know if it possibly damaged my dryer, I would also appreciate any tips or links to products that could resolve this issue. Is it even code compliant to vent two dryers to one vent? (assuming the vent is normal size and there's no supplemental fan on it)
posted by buckaroo_benzai at 7:11 PM on February 28, 2010
Response by poster: Here's a pic of the venting: http://twitpic.com/15yxgc
posted by buckaroo_benzai at 7:26 PM on February 28, 2010
posted by buckaroo_benzai at 7:26 PM on February 28, 2010
You can get a flap that will block the air from flowing back (search for dryer vent backdraft preventer), but you'll probably need to put an elbow on to the vertical vent in order to use it, since they usually need to be mounted horizontally. That, and making sure the vent is clean all the way through are probably the two best suggestions.
posted by jferg at 7:41 PM on February 28, 2010
posted by jferg at 7:41 PM on February 28, 2010
The short answer to your question is that there has probably been no damage to your dryer due to the interconnection, certainly nothing that would cause a strange noise. You are getting moist air blown back into the dryer where it condenses. As jferg suggests, the best cure (for you) is for you to install an elbow and a back flap. Your increased attention to the dryer might be a reason why you may just be noticing a "strange" noise for the first time. Take one thing at a time. If installing the flap solves the blow back problem, observe if the dryer works O.K. If so, ignore any noises and keep the lint filter clean. If not, call a service man to look into any drying or noise problems.
posted by Old Geezer at 7:51 PM on February 28, 2010
posted by Old Geezer at 7:51 PM on February 28, 2010
Double-check the drum of the dryer for a small, hard object like a penny or button. The clunking sound is likely something solid bouncing around in there. Check all around the edges especially.
posted by trinity8-director at 8:00 PM on February 28, 2010
posted by trinity8-director at 8:00 PM on February 28, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for the responses so far. I checked the dryer operation with the door open and there's nothing bouncing around inside. I guess it's always been making that sound, but I just assumed it was the clothes moving around and not the dryer itself.
posted by buckaroo_benzai at 8:20 PM on February 28, 2010
posted by buckaroo_benzai at 8:20 PM on February 28, 2010
You're not supposed to vent inside your living space, but in this case, especially in winter, why lose the heat, I'd just take a section of flexible drier duct from the hardware store that could point the vented air somewhere reasonable, not directly into a cramped corner for instance, and disconnect from any external vent system.
Don't run your drier again until it is itself dry. Direct a fan and even a space heater at it for a few days, as well as remove any soaking half dried loads. Once your machine has dried out and any blown fuses are changed there is a good chance it will start working.
If you have to work with the building vents, I'd insist that they clean out the blockage which is a dangerous fire violation. You might put an industrial blower at the point the vent exits your residence, in-line with the drier outlet. Then you could supercharge your venting to overcome creating your own humidity damage.
The key phrases, addressed to your landlord, "I'm worried about damage to your building. I'm also afraid of fire. If you don't know how to fix it, maybe there is some kind of safety person from the city that can come over and make suggestions."
posted by StickyCarpet at 10:16 PM on February 28, 2010
Don't run your drier again until it is itself dry. Direct a fan and even a space heater at it for a few days, as well as remove any soaking half dried loads. Once your machine has dried out and any blown fuses are changed there is a good chance it will start working.
If you have to work with the building vents, I'd insist that they clean out the blockage which is a dangerous fire violation. You might put an industrial blower at the point the vent exits your residence, in-line with the drier outlet. Then you could supercharge your venting to overcome creating your own humidity damage.
The key phrases, addressed to your landlord, "I'm worried about damage to your building. I'm also afraid of fire. If you don't know how to fix it, maybe there is some kind of safety person from the city that can come over and make suggestions."
posted by StickyCarpet at 10:16 PM on February 28, 2010
There are metal shutters or doors for these ducts that you can install to shut off the connection when you are not using it.
posted by StickyCarpet at 10:25 PM on February 28, 2010
posted by StickyCarpet at 10:25 PM on February 28, 2010
nthing the backdraft damper. Cleaning out the vent hoses and pipes should be done periodically so that dryer air can easily make it to the outdoors, but you still need a backdraft damper somewhere between your dryer and the first junction in the duct.
posted by jon1270 at 4:11 AM on March 1, 2010
posted by jon1270 at 4:11 AM on March 1, 2010
"When I opened my dryer, there was condensation all over the interior."
Your dryer was improperly installed. You want a backdraft damper -- a "flap" -- between your dryer's flex hose and its connection to the vent.
"I checked the shared vent pipe and it was full of lint."
Your neighbor's dryer may be improperly operated. The lint filter will catch the vast majority of lint if properly cleaned between each load. If not, you may see lint build up in the vent, which is a somewhat serious fire hazard.
posted by majick at 5:52 AM on March 1, 2010
Your dryer was improperly installed. You want a backdraft damper -- a "flap" -- between your dryer's flex hose and its connection to the vent.
"I checked the shared vent pipe and it was full of lint."
Your neighbor's dryer may be improperly operated. The lint filter will catch the vast majority of lint if properly cleaned between each load. If not, you may see lint build up in the vent, which is a somewhat serious fire hazard.
posted by majick at 5:52 AM on March 1, 2010
While not good for your dryer, the water may have pooled someplace where it'll cause rusting, a single exposure is not much to be worried about. The clunk is probably normal, many dryers make a cyclic noise caused by a set in the belt. Monitor it though to make sure it doesn't get worse and if it does call for warranty service.
StickyCarpet writes "You're not supposed to vent inside your living space, but in this case, especially in winter, why lose the heat"
The fabric softener laden lint is a serious fire and health hazard. Code requires the dryer vent outside (and not into the attic either) for good reason. Also the vent is not allowed to be shared, at least in Canada.
Some suggestions:
0) check to make sure the vent isn't obstructed at the outside. Common problems include a build up of lint at the flap, animal nest, and completely enclosing the vent exit in a shed.
1) Your land lord should be supplying a separate vent for your neighbour. Not only is it causing a venting issue for you, your neighbours vent entering your living space before going outside is a serious break in the firewall between your two units.
2) If you own your unit talk with your neighbour and let them know they'll need to work at supplying their own vent pipe.
If you can't get either of those changes at least install a smoke detector in your laundry room and try to keep your laundry room door shut.
3) Avoid if at all possible flexible vent pipe. It looks like you have good access so you should be able to run rigid pipe the whole way. If you have to use some flexible pipe make sure you are using metal flex and not that white vinyl stuff and use as little as possible.
posted by Mitheral at 6:29 AM on March 1, 2010
StickyCarpet writes "You're not supposed to vent inside your living space, but in this case, especially in winter, why lose the heat"
The fabric softener laden lint is a serious fire and health hazard. Code requires the dryer vent outside (and not into the attic either) for good reason. Also the vent is not allowed to be shared, at least in Canada.
Some suggestions:
0) check to make sure the vent isn't obstructed at the outside. Common problems include a build up of lint at the flap, animal nest, and completely enclosing the vent exit in a shed.
1) Your land lord should be supplying a separate vent for your neighbour. Not only is it causing a venting issue for you, your neighbours vent entering your living space before going outside is a serious break in the firewall between your two units.
2) If you own your unit talk with your neighbour and let them know they'll need to work at supplying their own vent pipe.
If you can't get either of those changes at least install a smoke detector in your laundry room and try to keep your laundry room door shut.
3) Avoid if at all possible flexible vent pipe. It looks like you have good access so you should be able to run rigid pipe the whole way. If you have to use some flexible pipe make sure you are using metal flex and not that white vinyl stuff and use as little as possible.
posted by Mitheral at 6:29 AM on March 1, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by buckaroo_benzai at 7:00 PM on February 28, 2010