Dryer in A Small Laundry Room

[1990C4S]

My rental house has a washer/dryer on the second floor, basically they are in a closet with solid wood French doors.

I lived there for years and never had an issue, but my tenant has overheated the dryer twice and melted the overtemp switch both times.

I am sure they are running the dryer with both French doors shut, despite clear instructions not to do that, and a sign on the door as a reminder...

Not sure how fix this long term. I could install a door switch interlock, I could cut a hole in the very expensive door I installed, or maybe a vent (the back of the dryer is on an outside wall) to draw fresh air in?

I'm sick of fixing the dryer every couple months. Suggestions?

[jyl]

Vent in outside wall seems like the best bet. They are closing the doors for noise, if you put vent in the door they might cover it. Some ppl are ridiculously noise sensitive, anything melts their snowflake

[cabmandone]

How is the dryer building up that much heat? Is the vent obstructed?

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by cabmando

How is the dryer building up that much heat? Is the vent obstructed?

Lack of air flow. The dryer exhausts to the exterior, but with both doors closed it can draw enough air in to keep the coils at the appropriate temperature.

It's starved for fresh air.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Lack of air flow. The dryer exhausts to the exterior, but with both doors closed it can draw enough air in to keep the coils at the appropriate temperature.

It's starved for fresh air.

I suppose you could calculate the CFM required and put a grille above the doors to allow airflow into the closet. I would have thought it would draw enough from under the door to keep from overheating. Normally there's a 1" gap under the door.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Lack of air flow. The dryer exhausts to the exterior, but with both doors closed it can draw enough air in to keep the coils at the appropriate temperature.

It's starved for fresh air.

Can you cut some of the bottom of the doors off to provide more airflow?

Our apt has a closet with the washer, dryer and water heater. It's got French doors, and we frequently run everything for quite a while without having an issue. But, the bottom of the doors are a bit over 2" from the floor, so that's enough space for circulation.

[Scott Douglas]

I'd buy a new set of doors with louvers in them and install them. Save the good doors for the next tenants that can follow instructions and keep the doors open.

[cabmandone]

I did a quick search and read that a typical dryer exhausts 100 cfm. I'd think the gap under the door would allow that much into the closet space. I think I'd cut a hole above the door between studs and put a 14x6 register on the wall if there's room above the door.

If you want to cut down on noise and can put one in the side wall of the closet, put one up high on the exterior of the closet wall and one down low inside the closet. A wall cavity should be more than capable of handing the CFM requirement.

[nomore]

Sounds like they are not cleaning the lint screen, EVERY SINGLE TIME. Even the smallest amount of fluff can overheat the dryer. Happened to me and the technician said clean the lint screen everytime.
Hasn't happened again. Maybe try louvered doors too. John.

[mepstein]

Also put a leaf blower to the dryer exhaust vent so it blows all the remaining lint out.

[Bill Douglas]

Venting to the outdoors is fairly much expected these days.

[wdfifteen]

How long has the tenant been there? Have they always had this problem or is it recent? If they have successfully used it for years and now all of the sudden it burns out the switch I would look for a problem in the dryer.

If they are new you might put a sign on the doors saying they have to stay open, and they'll have to pay for the next over temp switch.

[dad911]

I believe code is 100 square inch louver. We usually cut in a return duct next to the laundry room doors (obviously on both sides of the wall) as I dislike louvered doors.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Vent to the back wall. Give them the closed doors they want. Give the dryer the airflow it wants. Give it the fancy doors you want.

Class. Function. Tenant proof(ish).

[blucille]

Put a ventilation fan in the laundry closet, wire it to automatically come on when the dryer is running.

[Bill Douglas]

Ah ha.

[1990C4S]

I'm going tonight to investigate. I had not thought about the room beside the dryer, I think I can draw air from the walk-in closet...

[Zeke]

Jeez, just cut the bottom of the doors.

[911 Rod]

If the place is well sealed you will need outdoor air.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Jeez, just cut the bottom of the doors.

This. ^^^^

Over time, tenants will tear apart louvered doors.