How Do I Balance a Washing Machine?
If your washing machine makes loud noises, it might be because the machine is unbalanced. A washing machine which is not balanced will not wash clothes efficiently. When trying to balance a washing machine, you may need to check the load, make sure the floor and machine are level, and see if the drum of the machine is unbalanced. Before you try to balance a washing machine, make sure to unplug it or shut off the power at the fuse box.
You can begin to balance a washing machine by checking the load of wash to see if it is causing the machine to be unbalanced. Heavy items in the washer can be one cause of this problem. Open the washing machine lid or door and redistribute the items inside. If redistributing the contents and restarting the machine does not resolve the problem, take some clothes out, as smaller loads are less likely to become unbalanced.
If a heavy load did not cause the problem, take a carpenter's level and check the washer from side to side as well as front to back. If the level indicates the machine is tilted, check to see if the washing machine feet are adjustable. If so, adjustment the feet until the machine is sitting level. If you cannot adjust the feet, try placing a piece of foam or rubber under the part of the machine that appears to have the problem.
The best surface for a washing machine, particularly a front loader, is a concrete floor. Washing machines can become very heavy weight due to the weight of the water. If the machine is not on concrete, you may want to reinforce the floor joists, if possible, which may help balance a washing machine sitting on a floor that has sagged.
The compartment inside a washing machine where the clothes are placed is called the drum. Many machines have a weight attached to this drum, designed to prevent too much vibration. Check to see if the bolts on the drum are loose, and if so, tighten them using a wrench.
If your machine is still unbalanced, it may not have been installed properly. A restraining bolt usually holds the drum in place during transport, and if this is not removed properly, it can cause problems. Check the drum for a bolt or clips and make sure nothing is blocking the drum from moving properly.
Written by Kendra Redman
