Did you just come into your laundry room and find a puddle of water below your dryer, and you’re in a panic mode and ask, why is my dryer leaking water? You do not need to worry. We will discuss all the reasons for leakage from your dryer in this article. Additionally, this article will tell the possible solution to all the causes.
A dryer is an essential appliance of every household. It saves energy, time, and space. You can easily wash and dry your cushions, carpets, towels, comforts without worrying about the place to dry them.
Plus, ironing your clothes is hassle-free when you dry them in the dryer. However, each appliance possesses its own set of problems, but good maintenance and immediate repair can save you from many problems. For example, water leakage is one of the issues that can happen in any dryer. The leaking water from the dryer can cause many hazards including, electric shock and fire break out. Hence your first step should be switching off the unit immediately. There is so much more to learn, so it’s best to dig into this article further!
Why Is Your Dryer Leaking Water?
Let’s answer your question: why is my dryer leaking water? Here are the following reasons:
Reason #1. Blocked dryer vent
The most common cause of water leakage from the dryer is a blocked or jammed vent. The function of the vent in your dryer is to maintain airflow. All the moisture absorbed from the laundry in the dryer is expelled into the environment through the exhaust hood. The exhaust hood of the dryer also eliminates all the byproduct gases produced from the combustion of natural gas or kerosene. The cleaning of the vent is essential because it can get blocked by dirt, debris usually, lint, and sometimes pest. Therefore, it is recommended to clean your vent at least once in six months. The cleaning depends upon your use.
For example, if there are five family members, including children, you might require to clean your vent once in three or four months. The lint filter is often attached to your vent. You can either clean the filter or replace it according to its condition. If it is old or worn out, we suggest replacing it immediately. You will require a vacuum cleaner and vent cleaning kit. Locate your dryer vent exhaust and gently pull out the vent. Once your vent is exposed, clean it with either a vacuum cleaner or brush given in the cleaning kit. Never forget to clean the exhaust hood because it has lint and dirt built up. It’s best to also know how to tell if your dryer vent is clogged.
Reason #2. Positioning of the vent
Adequate ventilation can get affected when the dryer exhaust system isn’t adjusted correctly. So, moisture might collect in your dryer vent. The exhaust hood of the dryer should be correctly positioned. It should be clean and vertical to allow proper airflow. The dryer must get adequate heat. So, it can spread evenly to all the laundry in it. Many twists and curves in the dryer will provide space for moisture and lint build-up. This accumulation can block the pipe and, no air will be able to flow in or out of the dryer. The moisture in the vent will condense and return to the drum which, will eventually start leaking from your dryer. To prevent water leaks, align your dryer straight and vertical. Ensure there is no curve in it. Click on this link to know how often to clean a dryer vent.
Reason #3. Damaged vent pipe
The damaged vent pipe can cause leakage from your dryer. Moisture or condensed water might be entering your dryer drum through the hole in the vent. You will have to pull out the pipe from the exhaust hood to find the damage in the vent pipe. You will have to seal any small crack with tape. Make sure you seal the hole close with several layers of tape. The best option is to replace the vent hose immediately to lower the chances of leakage happening again.
Reason #4. Damaged exhaust hood flap
Your dryer may be leaking because of a damaged exhaust hood. The exhaust hood is attached to your dryer’s vent system. It has a flap that opens when the air from the dryer has to be expelled outside. This flap protects foreign substances from outside to get into the vent. When the exhaust hood gets damaged, the flap might be left open. It causes rain or snow to enter the hood and flood the dryer. When the exhaust hood flap does not open, the vent is clogged. Which causes the moisture to build up in the vent and condenses return to the dryer. You will have to inspect your exhaust hood and if it is damaged, replace it immediately. Do not run your washer when the exhaust hood flap is damaged.
Reason #5. Material of the vent
The vent material plays a vital role in the dryer’s ventilation system. The vent pipe should be sturdy and rigid. Avoid buying ribbed pipes because they will provide more space for lint accumulation. More lint accumulation means high chances of condensation and fire. Instead, you can use an aluminum or galvanized steel pipe.
It’s A Wrap!
So, we’ve answered your question: why is my dryer leaking water? To prevent your dryer from leaking water, ensure that your dryer vent system is solid and sturdy. Good maintenance of the vent is also essential. Clean the lint from the dryer at least once in a few months. It will not only stop the dryer from leaking water but will also protect it from fire hazards. Purchasing a good vent pipe is essential. I guess it’s helpful to read about the best compact washer and dryer.