Slow drying · Ottawa · Gatineau
Dryer taking too long to dry in Ottawa?
Why a dryer needs two or three cycles for one load, which airflow checks are safe to do yourself, and when a slow dryer needs a technician.
Diagnostic$89+ tax
Residential diagnostic visit. The repair is quoted in writing before any work.Residential, electric. Gas appliances: $129 + tax.
Online requests are confirmed by call or text.
- TSSA-certified gas work
- In business since 1995
- Factory-authorized repairs
- 5.0 on Google · 59 reviews (Oct 2026)
OttawaONGatineauQC
Written diagnostic report
- Fault
- Explained on site
- Quote
- Approved first
- Warranty
- 3 months
- Service areaOttawa
- Diagnostic$89 + tax residential
- LanguageEnglish & French
- Warranty3 months on repairs
Short answer
A dryer taking too long to dry, needing two or three cycles for one load, is usually choked by a clogged vent or lint build-up, or it is making less heat because of a weak heating element, a failing thermostat or, on gas models, a weak burner. A clogged vent is also a fire risk, so clear the lint screen, check the outside vent hood and book a diagnosis if drying stays slow.
01Before you book
Safe checks first
Five minutes that sometimes save a visit, and always make it faster. Skip anything you are not comfortable doing.
- Lint screenClean it before every load. If water beads on the mesh, wash off the dryer-sheet film with warm soapy water.
- Outside vent hoodWhile the dryer runs you should feel a strong, warm flow. A stuck flap, lint, snow or a nest means the vent is restricted.
- Duct behind the dryerLook for a crushed or kinked transition duct. Don’t pull out a gas dryer yourself, since that can strain the gas connector.
- Load and cycleTry a medium load on a normal heated cycle: oversized loads and air-only cycles dry slowly.
Stop using it if you notice
- Clothes or the cabinet come out scorching hot
- A burning or hot-lint smell during a cycle
- The laundry room turns hot and humid while it runs
- Any gas smell near a gas dryer
Stop the cycle and unplug the dryer. Smell gas? Get everyone outside, then call Enbridge Gas (Ontario) or Gazifère (Gatineau). Then call 613-301-0016.
02Common causes
Why a dryer takes too long to dry
- Clogged vent or lint build-up. The number-one cause: a restricted vent traps moist air, so clothes take far longer to dry, and it is a fire hazard.
- Weak or partially failed heating element. A failing element produces less heat, stretching out drying times.
- Faulty thermostat or thermistor. A bad temperature sensor lets the dryer run cool.
- Worn blower wheel. A cracked or clogged blower moves less air, so drying slows down.
- Overloading or a weak gas burner. Overloaded drums and, on gas dryers, weak burner output also slow drying.
03The fix
How we bring drying time back to normal
We check airflow and the full heating circuit (vent, element, thermostats and blower) to find what is restricting heat or air, then clear the blockage inside the dryer or replace the worn part. Elements, thermostats and blower wheels are common replacement parts, and in Ontario gas dryers are serviced by our TSSA-certified technicians.
The diagnostic is $89 + tax for an electric dryer and $129 + tax for a gas dryer. The repair is quoted in writing before any work begins and is covered by a 3-month warranty on parts and labour. We have been fixing slow dryers on both sides of the river since 1995, and our repairs are factory-authorized.
04Similar symptoms
Slow drying or no heat at all?
When the drum is cold from start to finish, the heat circuit has failed rather than weakened: see dryer not heating in Ottawa. Warm but still damp loads are covered in dryer not drying clothes, squeals or thumps in dryer making noise, and a drum that has stopped turning in dryer not spinning. Every gas and electric model is covered by our Ottawa dryer repair service; for other appliances, see appliance repair in Ottawa or appliance repair in Gatineau.
05Rate card
Clear diagnostic pricing
One fee to find the fault. The repair itself is quoted in writing, and nothing proceeds until you approve it.
- You approve a written quote before any repair work.
- Repairs carry a 3-month warranty — ask for the written terms.
- Travel charges may apply more than 30 km from downtown Ottawa.
Residential diagnostic
Visit and diagnosis; written quote before any repair
Gas appliances
Gas ranges, ovens, cooktops and dryers
Commercial equipment
Restaurants, property managers, landlords
After-hours visit
Between 9 PM – 7 AM
- Diagnostic visit$89 + tax, residential. The technician finds the fault.
- Written quoteYou see the repair price and approve it first.
- RepairNothing is repaired until you approve the quote. Repairs carry a 3-month warranty.
06Dispatch, step by step
How a visit works
Four stages, and you always know which one you’re in.
Request sent · not yet booked
Request
Book online or call. Tell us the appliance, brand and what it’s doing.
Next: we call or text you
- Appointment starts here
Booking confirmed
Confirm
We call or text to confirm a time window. Your booking is confirmed only then.
Your confirmed time window
Fault found
Diagnose
The technician tests the appliance and explains the fault. $89 + tax residential.
Written diagnostic report
Quote approved
Repair
You approve the written quote first. Repairs carry a 3-month warranty.
3-month repair warranty
A request is not an appointment. Your visit is booked once we confirm a time window with you by call or text.
08By area
Dryer repair near you
Local pages for the neighbourhoods we serve most, with what is specific to each.
09Coverage
Dryer repair on both sides of the river
Two primary markets, one dispatch: Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec.
Also serving
Why does my dryer take two or three cycles to dry?
Usually a clogged vent or a weak heating element. A blocked vent is also a fire risk, so it is worth fixing quickly.
Is a clogged dryer vent dangerous?
Yes. Trapped lint is a leading cause of dryer fires. Airflow is checked as part of the diagnosis; if the vent run itself needs clearing, ask when you book whether we can do it on the same visit.
Do you repair slow-drying gas dryers?
Yes. A weak burner or a failing igniter can stretch drying times on a gas dryer. In Ontario, gas dryers are handled by our TSSA-certified technicians; in Gatineau, gas service is confirmed when you book. See gas dryer repair in Ottawa.
11Ready when you are
Get your dryer drying in one cycle.
Ottawa and Gatineau. $89 + tax residential diagnostic; the repair is quoted in writing before any work. We call or text to confirm your time window.