It is not difficult to level the washing machine, but this is a prerequisite for its safe operation. Some users do not pay due attention to the installation, so after a while they have to contact a service workshop to repair the unit and replace the bearings.
Level installation of the washing machine is important
Depending on the brand, the SMA has 2 or 4 adjustable legs. To install the washing machine, you must select a location that fully meets the installation requirements. Do not place the unit close to walls or furniture. The surface on which the SMA will be placed must be flat, without depressions or protrusions. It is good if the base is tiled. A rigid base will allow the unit to be leveled without additional shock-absorbing cups, which will simplify the process.
If the SMA will be located in a room with a wooden floor, it is necessary to prepare a sheet of plywood 8-10 mm thick or OSB boards. Due to the fact that the floorboards have different densities and are not rigidly fixed along their entire length, vibration of the base will occur during operation of the unit. This will negatively affect the washing process, especially in the spin mode. An additional platform will allow you to evenly distribute the load over the floor surface.
The concrete base must be smooth and not crumble. If pieces break off when you tap the material, it is better to cover it with tiles or install another rigid stand. A poorly adjusted machine will vibrate and shift during operation, which can lead to the protection tripping or rapid bearing wear and failure.
At high rotation speeds, the drum may touch the surface of the tank and, if the latter is plastic, damage the walls.
A correctly aligned unit will ensure safe and correct operation throughout the entire period of operation.
Step-by-step installation of the machine
By correctly installing and connecting the washing machine, you will ensure quiet operation of the washing machine. Following the instructions, everyone can cope with the installation of the SM:
- Before installation, you must remove the back wall and remove the transport bolts. They securely fix the drum, preventing loosening.
- Choose a place where the surface is flat and hard. This is where it is best to install the washing machine. Soft rubber mats should not be used. If the SMA is installed incorrectly, then at high spin speeds it will make a lot of noise and vibrate, swaying in all directions.
- Then plug the washing machine into a grounded outlet. In this case, washing will not be accompanied by unpleasant noises and buzzing.
Analyzing how to balance your washing machine will ensure safe and long service life. The washing machine will work silently, without “running away” from its place. There is nothing easier than installing the machine in the bathroom, kitchen or utility room. Following the recommendations on how to adjust your washing machine is a guarantee that many problems will be avoided in the future.
How to set it correctly
To install the washing machine level, you need to:
- Remove all transport bolts and check that the drum rotates easily.
- Loosen the locknuts on the legs using the wrench included in the kit.
- Fully tighten the supports.
- By adjusting the legs, achieve a stable position of the unit.
- Install a spirit level on the top cover of the SMA parallel to the control panel. If the air bubble of the device has moved to the right, then you need to adjust the legs on the left side, and vice versa. The machine is installed correctly when the ball is placed between the two middle marks.
- Position the level perpendicular to the previous position. You need to level the machine by twisting the front or rear legs.
Adjust the MCA until the device shows a horizontal position in both directions.
Sometimes, when moving the machine across the floor, you can find a position in which adjustments are not required. This is possible if the base is made as level as possible. After you have finished installing the unit, you need to use a wrench to fix the nuts in the upper position, otherwise if vibration occurs, the adjustment will be disrupted. This can lead to independent movement and damage to the washing machine.
How to adjust a washing machine yourself
You will need:
- Tools.
- Dowels.
- Liquid Nails.
- Plywood.
First, you will need to check the surface on which you are going to install your washing machine. If the floor is uneven, then it doesn’t matter what kind of covering it has - tiled or concrete - the machine still won’t fit as it should. This means that even with slight vibration, the machine will still jump and slowly move from its original location. If this applies to your case, then you need to level the floor , and then you won’t even have to adjust the washing machine.
If your floor surface is flat, then you should look at how the legs of the washing machine . To do this, you need to gently rock the machine back and forth. You can also tilt it slightly to the sides. This is necessary in order to understand which legs should be raised for adjustment.
Now let's move on to the process of regulating the washing machine. To do this, those legs that need to be lifted should be untwisted (or rather, the washer on them), and then we scroll the leg clockwise or counterclockwise. This is the adjustment process itself. To check the installation accuracy, use a building level . Ideally, the level bubble should be located centrally. To measure, it will be most convenient to place a level on the machine itself and make adjustments.
An additional device can be used to adjust and level certain types of machines. Take a sheet of plywood and cut out a base for the machine. Next, you should attach it to the floor using dowels or liquid nails.- The following operation can be called a popular method: wipe the floors with very sweet water and immediately place your newly purchased device on them. It should stick to the surface. The method, frankly speaking, is dubious, but those who did it claim that everything went perfectly.
What to do if you can’t get rid of vibration?
Destruction of internal components such as shock absorbers, dampers and counterweights usually causes the washer to shake and move during the spin cycle.
Only a specialist can accurately determine the malfunction and replace the part at the highest level, so if the vibration does not disappear after correctly following all the instructions, we strongly recommend that you seek advice from a specialist.
Level check
The correct installation of the SMA is checked during washing with a full load and maximum spin speed. An incorrectly aligned machine will manifest itself immediately after the drum begins to rotate, and maximum - in the centrifuge operating mode. To prevent strong vibration and movement on the floor, you need to adjust the unit at the moment the defect begins to appear. The adjustment is carried out on a de-energized SMA. There is no need to drain the water.
It is recommended to remove minor vibration by installing rubber pads under the supports. In addition, they will prevent the machine from moving on the tiles. During operation, it is necessary to periodically check the horizontal installation and the tightness of the locknuts. If any comments are found, they should be corrected.
How to adjust the legs of a washing machine. How to level a washing machine
There are several factors that can cause a washing machine to jump or vibrate during the washing process: transport fasteners that have not been removed, drum overload, failed counterweight, bearings, or malfunction of other internal mechanisms. However, the most common reason is poor installation. For quiet and safe washing, you should correctly place the washing machine on a flat horizontal surface, using a building level gauge or other available methods.
Why is proper leg adjustment important?
Adjusting the legs of the washing machine makes it more stable. The drum of the machine, rotating even at low speed, creates serious vibrations resulting from uneven distribution of laundry. They are absolutely harmless for the laundry itself, but the components of the washing machine begin to wear out faster.
Vibrations are a serious threat to any household appliance. Under its influence, screws, self-tapping screws and other types of fastening become loose, and the plastic weakens. Due to vibrations, malfunctions often occur due to damage to the plastic tank, as a result of which it can burst - the water spilling out of it will flood the neighbors below. And all this could have been avoided if the legs of the washing machine had been adjusted in height.
An incorrectly adjusted machine not only breaks itself. Being exposed to vibrations, it can move out of place and damage surrounding objects. Most of the complaints from users are related to the fact that their machines literally “jump” around the bathroom. And few people can figure out that you just need to adjust the legs and give the machine a strictly horizontal position. In addition to vibrations, a shaking machine will make noise that disturbs others.
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Look what we get as a result of incorrect adjustment: • A washing machine jumping around the bathroom; • Tanks cracked from vibrations; • Tile that has fallen out due to accidental impacts against the walls; • Broken bearings inside the washing machine.
If you want to extend the life of your washing machine, install it correctly.
Why does the washing machine jump during the spin cycle and what can be done about it?
First of all, check whether everything was done according to the instructions during installation. Often the machine jumps simply because the transportation anchors were not removed before use. They can be called transportation bolts, but this is not entirely correct - in addition to the bolts, there are other parts, but this is not significant. They are installed in the machine to rigidly fix the tank, which, as the name implies, protects the machine from damage during transportation. Sometimes during installation they forget to remove them or simply do not understand why they need to be removed, and this leads to strong vibration during the spin cycle. When the anchors are removed, the tank hangs freely on shock absorbers, which soften vibration. If you have no idea how to do this, it is better to call a professional. Readers who are fairly confident in their abilities can simply use the instructions - they describe in detail and with illustrations how to remove the anchors when installing a washing machine.
Another reason for a jumping car could be that the legs are not adjusted. This can be dangerous: if it is not completely level, some parts may touch each other and become damaged. Check the machine for unsteadiness by shaking it from side to side - the fact that it gives way clearly indicates that the legs are not adjusted correctly. It's not at all difficult to fix it yourself. Most often, the legs of the machine are simply tightened like bolts, so anyone can do it correctly. The best option for adjustment is to put a building level on the machine (if you don’t have one, you can use a saucer with water, but it will not give such accuracy). You must first place a building level parallel to the front (the door is located on it) and back walls of the machine, check the tilt in this plane and adjust. After that, place it parallel to the side walls, that is, perpendicular to the previous position, and do the same.
If the previous tips did not work, perhaps the reason is not the machine, but the unsuitable floor for it (too smooth, crooked or not strong enough). To fix this, you can buy a thick rubber mat, special rubber pads or suction cups. The pads will need to be glued on: check with the sellers on how to do this with the ones you purchased. You can probably find all this in any home goods store. In addition, the machine could simply move. Check to see if it is in contact with walls, pipes or other objects around it.
Still don't know why the washing machine is jumping? Some machines start to shake and make noise when they can't balance the laundry properly. It’s worth checking the instructions to see how much laundry they recommend loading. It is also recommended to add a couple of towels if you are washing one bulky item (for example, a jacket) so that the laundry is evenly distributed. When loading, try to distribute the items evenly throughout the drum and avoid washing too little or too much.
Shock absorber in a washing machine
Common errors during connection and operation
We list the common mistakes made during installation and subsequent operation of a washing machine.
Incorrect installation of the drain hose
The end of the drain hose is installed at a certain height. The recommended height for each model is indicated in the instructions for the device. The general principle is that the highest point of installation of the hose should be slightly higher than the maximum water level in the machine tank.
Incorrect installation results in water leakage from the tank, a reverse siphon effect, and an unpleasant odor in the machine.
Network connection errors
A typical mistake is the use of non-standard electrical wiring (insufficient wire cross-section, single-layer insulation). This leads to overheating of electrical wiring, melting of insulation, short circuits, and electric shock.
Important. Improper connection of the device to the electrical network is not only dangerous to life and health, but can also cause malfunctions in the machine.
If the room was not originally designed for the installation of a washing machine, then the power supply is carried out using an individual (three-core) cable of the appropriate cross-section. The cable leads from the distribution panel with the installation of automatic switches rated for a current of at least 16 A.
Attention. The use of faulty or low-quality two-wire sockets and extension cords is unacceptable.
Incorrect water connection
The machine is connected to the water supply through autonomous taps located in an accessible place for operation. This makes it possible to quickly turn off the water if necessary.
Use of highly foaming powders
Excess foam fills the internal cavities of the machine, leading to malfunctions and breakdowns in the operation of electronic components.
Entry of foreign objects
Foreign objects falling into the machine along with laundry cause serious damage to internal parts, including engine failure. Therefore, before loading the laundry, carefully check it and remove all foreign objects from the pockets, as well as loose buttons and fasteners.
Incorrect switching of operating modes
The mode change is set after turning off the power and in a clockwise direction. Failure to comply with this requirement leads to damage to the control apparatus of the washing machine.
Failure to comply with loading standards
Overloading the machine and rolling the laundry into a lump causes increased vibration and rapid wear of the equipment. If a problem occurs, the machine is turned off, the laundry is redistributed and started again.
In addition, it is not recommended to leave machines that are more than 4-5 years old unattended and turned on. The likelihood of breakdowns and leaks at this “age” is very high.
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Installation and adjustment rules
Before installing the feet, you should level the washing machine, otherwise the unit will continue to vibrate. For high-quality fixation, it is worth using a level that will help with alignment. You also need to prepare the surface, making it smooth and reliable, so the finishing material for the floor must be of high quality, strong, and durable.
Before installing the legs, it is worth connecting the unit to the water supply, as this will be problematic afterwards. Next, you need to slightly lift the “washing machine” on one side and fix the stand. After this, the legs are installed on all sides in the same way.
To adjust the stands, you should turn them counterclockwise, this way the devices will be lengthened or shortened.
You can find out how to install a washing machine to prevent it from jumping, below.
Source
Description and purpose
The reasons for strong vibration in the washing machine may be as follows.
Anti-vibration devices are made of elastic material and are often round or square in shape. The diameter of the legs is 5-6 millimeters. In the center of the stand there is a recess for the leg. The color of accessories for a washing machine is usually white or light gray; sometimes you can find black and transparent stands on sale.
Washing machine feet are designed to reduce vibration during washing. After a certain period, the parts of the equipment wear out, which leads to shaking and vibration of the unit. In addition, consumers cannot always install the machine on the floor with perfect evenness. Therefore, over time, every owner will need legs for washing devices. These inexpensive devices will solve your vibration problem and change the situation for the better. In addition, the functions of the stands include reducing noise and sliding on a smooth surface.
The coating under the washing machine with legs remains intact for a long time, cracks and scratches do not appear on it.
Currently, you can buy a large number of types of stands for washing machines. Accessories have different heights, colors, shapes and other features. The most common stands for this type of household appliances are the following.
When choosing anti-vibration stands, you should pay attention to the following points:
How to avoid imbalance
Make sure that you load the drum according to the norm for your washing machine. If the washing machine is designed for three kilograms of laundry, this does not mean that you need to fill the drum to capacity. It should be 2/3 full. And:
- Do not fill the car with items that are too bulky. When wet they become heavy and can cause overload and imbalance.
- Try to load large and small items together for proper SMA balance.
If you are just going to buy a washing machine, choose the load capacity in accordance with the number of everyday items to wash. If, when choosing a drum volume of 7-8 kg, you cannot collect enough for a daily load, washing once a week will not always be convenient.
Instructions for adjusting the legs of a washing machine to prevent them from jumping
The washing machine only jumps in the spin mode, whereas this does not happen during washing due to the peculiarities of this process. When spinning, the device creates oscillatory movements, which, turning into vibration, spread to the entire body.
Important! When installed correctly, the legs of the device absorb about 90% of vibrations and, by placing your hand, you can only feel small vibrations.
The main causes of strong vibration are:
- transport bolts that have not been removed, which transmit vibration, loosening the device;
- failure to remove the transported foam pallet;
- the device is not level;
- overweight when loading things - if the weight is too heavy, the drum bounces more, creating much stronger loads on the hinges, which leads to increased vibration;
- problem with drum bearings or shock absorbers.
New washing machines have problems with shipping accessories and improper installation. If a problem with vibration appears in an already installed device, there is a reason to send it for diagnostics or invite a technician.
