So we recently moved into a two story house with a basement and at the same time purchased a new front-load washer and dryer. The W/D connections are in the first floor mud room and when the washer ramps up to it's 1000-1200 rpm spin cycle it literally shakes the house. I've checked and double checked the levelness of the washer and it is level front-to-back and side-to-side.
I'm beginning to think its the house more than the washer; would going down to the basement and tying the floor joists under the washer together with some 2x's to stiffen the floor structure help?
Ideas? Suggestions?
i sold the things last winter.. get a rubber mat (think aerobics) and put it under it. it will reduce that alot
i really recommended a concrete floor for them, but additional stiffness is worth a shot if the mat dosent do enough for you.
One inch Canadian Multi-Shims. Put one under each corner.
I buy them in bulk quantities and put them under everything.
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Who makes the washer? Some companies make dampening feet that work really well.
We've got a front loading washer/dryer combo (one unit washes and dries)...and it shakes our house too. I'm hoping to pour a concrete block under the spot for the one in my next renovation.
I've been told that concrete is the best...but please let us know if stiffening up the joists or the mat helps!
Thanks,
Clem
I too bought one of the new and flashy front loader washers a Maytag. I get the same problem. It sits on concrete so concrete won't solve your problems. I have done mats and feet and a number of other vibration absorbing materials to no avail. Mine will actually walk across the floor.
Maytag has been out twice to put in new/different sensors to help it not spin up when it's off balance (all the time) so that it won't walk as far. I've since done more research than before I bought it and found out that's just part of the design. Sure wish I'd have known that before hand.
Once you've got one and watched it work you wonder what idiot ever put together one of those things. Heavy wet things fall to the bottom and always keep it off balance. While a dryer works that way it doesn't spin as rapidly so the vibrations don't develop.
An additional problem with the front loaders, is that after a while you will get a mold/mildew problem and smell unless you clean out with bleach water underneath the rubber gasket at the front of the tub. It seems that area stays wet.
Just FYI, the best washers for not vibrating are by far the new Samsungs. They're amazing - practically no vibration at all, even with an uneven load at 1300 rpm. LG is OK too, but if you want perfection you have to order vibration dampers for the feet for $50 extra.
I've seen more than a couple problems with the Whirlpool designed machines (Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag) on this front.
