If Your Dryer Takes Longer to Dry, This Might Be Why

A quick story from a normal service call

I was at a customer’s rental home for a washer repair. On my way out, I walked past the dryer and noticed something that didn’t look right around the lint filter housing area.

From the outside, the dryer looked normal. But the area where the lint screen sits looked packed with lint. I mentioned it to the customer and suggested a simple dryer maintenance check.

Since I was already there, it was cheaper than scheduling a separate “just dryer” visit later. The customer agreed — and that ended up being a really good decision.

What we found when we opened the dryer

Once I opened the dryer, it was clear this wasn’t a small problem.

• The lint screen housing / lint trap housing (the area behind the lint filter) was about 90–95% clogged

• Inside the dryer, the air ducts were clogged around 50%

• The vent connection behind the dryer was heavily clogged too

• The buildup was close to the heater area, and it looked like it was getting close to a fire risk

This is one of those issues that can stay hidden for a long time — until the dryer starts overheating, drying slowly, or worse.

Why this is a real problem (without panic)

A dryer needs strong airflow to work safely. When lint blocks airflow, a few things can happen:

• Longer dry times

• Overheating

• Blown thermal fuse / no heat

• Extra wear on parts

• Burning smell

• Higher chance of dryer fire (lint is very flammable)

This isn’t meant to scare anyone — it’s just how dryers work. Lint buildup + heat + poor airflow is a bad mix.

Why rentals and Airbnbs are at higher risk

This dryer was in a rented unit / Airbnb-type setup, and honestly, that’s where I see this the most.

In rentals:

• People forget to clean the lint filter

• Some tenants don’t notice “longer drying time”

• The dryer may run back-to-back with heavy use

• Small issues don’t get addressed until something breaks

If you’re a landlord or property manager, dryer vent cleaning and basic dryer maintenance can help avoid surprise breakdowns and safety issues.

What we did (the full dryer maintenance service)

Because the lint buildup was heavy, this took extra time.

We:

• Removed lint buildup from the lint trap housing (each opening needed cleaning)

• Cleaned lint from internal airflow paths and ducts

• Cleaned buildup near the heater area

• Checked moving parts and lubricated rollers/moving points where applicable

• Reassembled and tested: heats, tumbles, and cycles normally

A simple DIY check you can do in 2 minutes

You don’t always need a technician to spot early signs of a clogged dryer.

1) Look inside the lint filter housing

After you remove the lint screen, use a flashlight and look down inside:

• If you see thick lint packed inside

• If the flapper/air path looks blocked

• If lint looks “matted” or stuck

…that’s a sign your dryer needs cleaning.

2) Check behind the dryer (vent hose + wall connection)

If you can safely access it:

• Unplug the dryer (and shut off gas if it’s a gas dryer)

• Disconnect the vent hose

• Look inside the hose and into the wall/vent pipe

If you see lint buildup like the photos, don’t ignore it.

(And yes — there are lots of YouTube videos for your exact dryer model if you want to DIY it.)

How often should dryer vent cleaning be done?

A good general rule:

• Every 1–2 years for most homes

• Every 6–12 months if you have pets, heavy laundry, or a busy rental/Airbnb

• Sooner if you notice: longer dry time, hot laundry room, burning smell, or weak airflow outside

If you’re in Jacksonville area

If you’re in Jacksonville, Clay County, St. Johns, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, or Nocatee, and you want help with dryer cleaning / dryer maintenance, you can reach out.

If you already have a company you like — that’s fine too. The main goal is simple: safe airflow, safer drying, fewer breakdowns.