Leveling a washing machine

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08-08-2005, 04:43 PM
The AD

Leveling a washing machine

Yes, obviously NSR and probably better suited to Tech Talk, but I'm putting it here :the_finge

So apparently I'm completely incompetent as a handyman. My wife and I are moved over to our new house but I'm having a hell of a time getting the washing machine level. If I get the front level one foot in the back is off the ground, then I fix that and it's not level again. In short, I can't get the facking thing level and it's driving me insane. There's got to be some trick. Anybody?

And I thought I was so sweet for converting the dryer plug from a 3-prong to a 4-prong. I should have my man card revoked.
08-08-2005, 04:47 PM
runethechamp

If all 4 feet are adjustable, do the following:

1. Adjust the feet so all feet touch the ground
2. Adjust the front/back pair to make it level in the front/back direction. Always do the adjustment at both front feet or both back feet at the same time.
3. Repeat 2 but in the left/right direction.
4. Open a beer and be proud.
08-08-2005, 04:48 PM
Buzzworthy

Quote:

Originally Posted by The AD

Yes, obviously NSR and probably better suited to Tech Talk, but I'm putting it here :the_finge

So apparently I'm completely incompetent as a handyman. My wife and I are moved over to our new house but I'm having a hell of a time getting the washing machine level. If I get the front level one foot in the back is off the ground, then I fix that and it's not level again. In short, I can't get the facking thing level and it's driving me insane. There's got to be some trick. Anybody?

And I thought I was so sweet for converting the dryer plug from a 3-prong to a 4-prong. I should have my man card revoked.

Beer coasters will do the trick.
08-08-2005, 04:54 PM
The AD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzworthy

Beer coasters will do the trick.

Oh yes, the beer coaster shim. I may resort to that.
08-08-2005, 04:55 PM
runethechamp

Quote:

Originally Posted by runethechamp

If all 4 feet are adjustable, do the following:

1. Adjust the feet so all feet touch the ground
2. Adjust the front/back pair to make it level in the front/back direction. Always do the adjustment at both front feet or both back feet at the same time.
3. Repeat 2 but in the left/right direction.
4. Open a beer and be proud.

And of course you can do this without the adjustable feet, with the beer coaster as Buzz suggested.
08-08-2005, 04:55 PM
STD

'Leveling a washing machine'?

Explosives work pretty well. Or you can try a wrecking ball.
08-08-2005, 05:07 PM
Superstar Punani

Huh-huh. That wuz cool!
08-08-2005, 08:01 PM
50kLeg

Quote:

Originally Posted by STD

'Leveling a washing machine'?

Explosives work pretty well. Or you can try a wrecking ball.

Glad I wasn't the only one that though pipe bomb. Or from all the beer you drink while dealing with the stupid thing you could use the beer caps. Thats how our dinning table is balanced.
08-08-2005, 08:29 PM
The AD

rune's suggestion looked good, but I still had the same result. My new theory is to turn one foot so it's way off the ground then work on the other three and get them level. Then when that's done just adjust the final leg until it touches the ground. That seems like it can't fail. If it does I might try the pipe bomb.
08-09-2005, 03:49 AM
bad_roo

I know a guy who can fire it from a medieval trebuchet into Lake Tahoe for you.
08-09-2005, 04:09 AM
gincognito

Quote:

Originally Posted by bad_roo

I know a guy who can fire it from a medieval trebuchet into Lake Tahoe for you.

Last I heard, dude was focusing on refridgerators. Good to see him branching out.

Sick and ashamed and happy (and all appliances must go),
d.
08-09-2005, 07:25 AM
Core Shot

Quote:

Originally Posted by The AD

rune's suggestion looked good, but I still had the same result. My new theory is to turn one foot so it's way off the ground then work on the other three and get them level. Then when that's done just adjust the final leg until it touches the ground. That seems like it can't fail. If it does I might try the pipe bomb.

You do realize that you may just have a really uneven floor (its possible, particularly with badly poured cement).
Levelling a washing machine has never been this hard.

If its close enough to level (if you are breaking out a four-foot level and trying to get exactly between the lines, you are an anal retentive), then just identify which leg is hanging in mid-air and lower that one until the machine no longer rocks when you push on it. Done.

[edit - your new theory is retarded, except for lowering the final leg that is not touching the ground.
If your floor is pretty flat and level, you could set all four legs for approximately the same height. Then put the washer in its final location and rock it from angle to angle (on the diagonals). One diagonal will rock, the other will not. The one that rocks, lower the front leg until it doesn't rock (if it rocks on the other diagonal, you went to far).]
08-09-2005, 08:05 AM
The AD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Core Shot

your new theory is retarded, except for lowering the final leg that is not touching the ground.

No, it's retarted.

The floor isn't concrete and it's fairly level. The laundry room is on the top floor, which actually makes me more paranoid. I'm afraid vibration in the machine could loosen a connection and cause a flood. Yes, I worry too much. I can see the appeal of having the laundry room on the same floor as the bedrooms, but not sure it's worth the risk.
08-09-2005, 08:29 AM
lemon boy

Helpful How-to's
08-09-2005, 08:44 AM
Core Shot

Quote:

Originally Posted by The AD

No, it's retarted.

The floor isn't concrete and it's fairly level. The laundry room is on the top floor, which actually makes me more paranoid. I'm afraid vibration in the machine could loosen a connection and cause a flood. Yes, I worry too much. I can see the appeal of having the laundry room on the same floor as the bedrooms, but not sure it's worth the risk.

I stand by my spelling. Retarded is short for mental retardation.

My point about uneven floors was that if you move the whole machine a few inches from the spot where it was level, then it will no longer be level.

Fortunately, on most concrete floors, the legs stick pretty well and the machine does not usually "walk" when it is unbalanced by a heavy load.
Upstairs, on a slick floor, the machine may be walking itself to a new location, even though you leveled it properly, due to a normal unbalanced load.

Is the machine really vibrating and movimg or does it just sound loud because its amplified by being upstairs??

A front loader may be a better solution for you. They use less water and seem to spin faster and vibrate less.

As far as your fear of having a leak upstairs, you need a floor pan and a floor drain for those installations.
08-09-2005, 08:48 AM
lemon boy

tether it to the wall with some chains. Mebbe an extension chain to keep Mrs. Ad in her proper place. :angel:
08-09-2005, 08:59 AM
The AD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Core Shot

I stand by my spelling. Retarded is short for mental retardation.

That was a joke. There was a thread about that a while back. I guess you missed it.

Quote:

Is the machine really vibrating and movimg or does it just sound loud because its amplified by being upstairs?? [/quote[

A front loader may be a better solution for you. They use less water and seem to spin faster and vibrate less.

It is a front loader, and yes I'm sure part of it is just being upstairs where the floor moves more and the noise is amplified. I'm sure if I get all four feet on the ground and it's close to level it will be fine. Yes, I'm anal retentive. I just can't stand it being slightly out of level.
08-09-2005, 09:16 AM
Snow Dog

Clearly most people here don't use a washing machine since the modern washing machine has self-leveling rear legs. Adjust the front legs and give the machine a shake to get the rear to settle. Make sure the hot water hose is really realy tight and have some towels handy for the first few loads so you don't get a stain on the ceiling like me. Yes, it's noisier than sitting on concrete. Don't forget to remove the shipping brackets too.
08-09-2005, 09:32 AM
The AD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow Dog

Clearly most people here don't use a washing machine since the modern washing machine has self-leveling rear legs.

Not mine :) The self-leveling legs certainly would be nice. Once the machine is in place it isn't exactly easy to access the rear legs.
08-09-2005, 09:47 AM
Snow Dog

Quote:

Originally Posted by The AD

Not mine :) The self-leveling legs certainly would be nice. Once the machine is in place it isn't exactly easy to access the rear legs.

That's why they're self-leveling now. :)

From repairclinic.com:
Most machines, however, have "self-adjusting" rear legs. You set these legs by tilting the entire machine forward onto its front legs (with the rear legs 3 to 4 inches off the floor) and then setting the machine back down. The legs should adjust automatically. If they don't, you may need to tilt the machine forward and rap on the rear legs with the handle of a hammer to loosen them--a procedure that's easier to accomplish with a helper.
08-09-2005, 10:05 AM
irul&ublo

Sure Sign Its Summer.........

Thread on leveling a washing machine gets 20 responses.
08-09-2005, 11:04 AM
assgasorgrass

Drop your clothes off and let someone else do them for $0.75 a pound.
08-09-2005, 11:44 AM
Cornholio

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow Dog

...a procedure that's easier to accomplish with a helper.

And without the dryer already stacked. Just FYI.
08-09-2005, 11:57 AM
The AD

Quote:

Originally Posted by irul&ublo

Thread on leveling a washing machine gets 20 responses.

thoughts for other good summer threads:
- wiring a three-way switch
- installing a disposal

:)
08-09-2005, 05:37 PM
50kLeg

Quote:

Originally Posted by The AD

thoughts for other good summer threads:
- wiring a three-way switch
- installing a disposal

:)

I've done both of these this summer unfortunately.
08-09-2005, 05:58 PM
runethechamp

Quote:

Originally Posted by The AD

rune's suggestion looked good, but I still had the same result.

You must be doing it wrong. :cool: