How to Level a Washing Machine

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An efficient place to complete chores can be found in a well-kept, organized laundry room. However, the sanctuary you envision is disturbed by a washing machine that vibrates excessively or shakes the entire house while it is spinning. The washing machine’s shaking can harm the appliance’s internal workings as well as any nearby walls and floors.

Table of Contents

Determine the level of the machine: Use a carpenter’s bubble level or look for a phone app that resembles this instrument. Check to see if it’s level by placing your preferred device on top of the machine and moving it from side to side and then from front to back. If the bubble doesn’t center itself, you’ll need to make some adjustments.
Loosen the lock nut: The front two legs of the washing machine screw up and down. You must remove the lock nut from each one before you can adjust them.
Adjust the Legs up front: If the machine is positioned low to the ground, vibrations are less likely to occur. Adjust the other legs as necessary until the washer sits flat in accordance with your carpenter’s level or smartphone app, then screw one leg all the way in to keep the appliance as low as possible.
Check the rear legs: Self-leveling rear legs are a common feature of washing machines. Once the appliance is level from side to side, have a second person assist you in tipping it forward so the back legs rise three to four inches off the ground. The washer’s legs should automatically adjust when you place it back down so that it is level from front to back. However, some washing machines also have a set of movable legs in the back that can be adjusted. In this scenario, you will need to manually level the machine by adjusting the rear legs.
Raise the lock nuts’ tension: After making all the necessary adjustments, make sure the washer is level front to back and from side to side. As a final step, tighten the lock nuts against the machine to stop the machine’s legs from rotating over time. Make sure the appliance isn’t rocking back and forth by leaning against it.
Test the washer: Check for excessive vibration after the spin cycle has finished. Check all the screws on the stacking units and storage bases again to see if the washing machine is still shaking. Next, evaluate the floor of the laundry room. Leaks could make the floor rotten and uneven, necessitating replacement.
Examine your washer every few months: Your home may settle over time or even change from season to season. Reevaluate the washer’s level if you experience excessive vibrations. Then, remember that unbalanced clothing in a top-loader can result in shaking during the spin cycle, so take the time to load each batch equally. Additionally, because front-loading appliances use significantly faster spin speeds than top-loaders, you should check the balance of your unit every few months.

How To Tell If Your Washing Machine Is Unbalanced

An unbalanced washing machine will shake, rock back and forth, and bang around the laundry room. The loud noises it makes will be audible to you.

The trembling could cause harm to your washer, as well as to nearby furniture, walls, and floors. If the shaking is severe enough, it could harm the connections or hoses, leading to further leaks.

What Takes Place When A Washing Machine Is Unbalanced?

Leveling

If the washer is not level, the wash basket may also spin unevenly. The washer must have four feet that are all firmly planted on the ground and be level from front to back and side to side. Its feet are not secure and level if you can move the machine back and forth diagonally from corner to corner. The legs of some machines can be adjusted manually or with a wrench and a carpenter’s level, while the legs of other machines are self-leveling.

Load Balancing

Unbalanced laundry loads can result in the washer’s basket moving unevenly while it spins and slams into the outer tub. In most cases, when a machine is properly loaded, the clothes will naturally disperse so that they are roughly evenly distributed around the basket during the spin cycle. However, if the machine is too full, the clothes might not be able to move freely and might be more likely to tip the basket.

Pedestals

When the wash basket is spinning, pedestal-mounted washing machines may vibrate excessively, especially if the washer is unbalanced. The sides of the pedestal flex under the shifting load as the weight of the machine swings back and forth during the spin cycles, causing the vibration. Either replace the pedestal with one that is stiffer or install a stiffening kit that will help the pedestal maintain stability to fix the issue.

Shipping Materials

The installer may have neglected to remove shipping materials from the wash basket if a new washer vibrates and spins unevenly right after installation. To prevent the wash tub from moving during shipping and harming the machine, a strap is used in some models to hold it firmly in place. Shipping bolts are used in other models to accomplish the same task. The washer won’t spin properly and could sustain significant damage if these straps or bolts aren’t taken off before use.

Does A Washing Have To Be Exactly Level?

Yes, a washing machine must be level before use. Front to back and side to side levels are both required.

A washing machine that is not level will become extremely loud, vibrate a lot, and possibly damage nearby pipes, floors, and cabinets. All of this causes the appliance to undergo unnecessary strain, which could affect how well it functions.

Conclusion

The best option frequently entails building a leveling platform to place underneath your washing machine if it is situated on an uneven floor. The platform doesn’t have to be very high, so you can level your washing machine by placing one of the plywood underneath its corners. If you’d prefer, you can also construct a unique platform using 2/4s and a sheet of plywood. Once the platform has been constructed, level it by adjusting the washing machine’s feet.

If you have other problems with washing machines, welcome to check the following guides!