Household appliances are a reliable assistant in household chores. All modern families have a washing machine at home. It makes it easier and faster to take care of things. With all equipment in operation, problems arise. Most often, owners of automatic washing machines complain about noisy vibration. This is not a harmless sound at all, it can lead to a serious breakdown in the future.
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Purpose of anti-vibration pads
Installing an anti-vibration stand is the surest way to save yourself from loud noise and damage to your flooring. This is a small detail that can eliminate problems with your household appliances. A recently purchased washing machine is equipped with new accessories and additional protection.
Bearing, damper, shock absorbers are parts that prevent strong vibration in modern technology. A machine that has been in active use for a long time begins to lose its original characteristics. Parts wear out, vibration occurs and you cannot do without a special stand for the washing machine.
Main functions of the anti-vibration stand.
- Limits noise and vibration levels.
- Provides stability.
- Prevents scratches on the floor.
- Eliminates the problem of uneven floors.
What do they look like?
Anti-vibration stand for washing machine, round or square, made of polymer material, with a height of 45 to 50 cm. A set of such stands consists of four pieces, mainly white, gray, black or transparent. Transparent pads are made of silicone. The upper side of the pad resembles a cap, on which we put the machine's leg.
What causes vibration?
If the machine was installed by a technician, there should be no complaints or grievances about its operation. Installation errors most often occur if the users themselves did it. There are many reasons for malfunctions, let's consider the main ones.
- Overload. All devices have instructions for use, which indicate the maximum possible filling. If the machine is designed for 5-6 kg, and 8 were loaded into it, then noisy washing is guaranteed.
- Foreign object between the tank and the drum of the machine.
- Uneven loading. Distribute the laundry evenly throughout the drum, otherwise the centrifugal force will swing the appliance in different directions.
- Level. If the floor in the room is slightly at an angle, and the device is installed incorrectly, without observing the level.
- Wooden floor. The problem is that individual elements of this type of flooring tend to shift. The surface becomes unstable.
- Part failure or wear of the system. Bearing failure will result in reduced drum mobility, and counterweight damage will result in machine displacement and vibration.
- Transport bolts. If the unit was purchased recently, make sure that the bolts that secure the parts during transport have been removed.
Please note! Before loading the next batch of washing, make sure that the machine does not wobble. Incorrect installation will definitely lead to breakage and microcracks on the parts.
Types and criteria for choosing anti-vibration stands
When choosing a stand for an automatic washing machine, you should take into account its parameters. The main criteria that should be taken into account.
- Size and shape. The pad should fit snugly against the machine, so it is important to measure the diameter of the legs correctly. Pay attention to the shape: circle or square, choose the appropriate stand. You can find interesting options in the form of animal tracks. It's all a matter of taste.
- Color. Does not affect the quality and characteristics of the product. This parameter directly depends on the color of the household appliances and the design of the room.
- Diameter. This parameter affects stability. The larger it is, the better the substrate copes with its task.
- Material. Both silicone and rubber pads do their job well. The only difference is the price, appearance and wear resistance. Silicone will cost a little more than rubber. There is a risk that the rubber product will fall apart over time, silicone is considered a more wear-resistant material.
Anti-vibration mat
If the machine is new and the floor in the room is relatively flat, then an anti-vibration mat will be enough to eliminate noise. The materials used to make this product are durable and wear-resistant. It will last for many years. It is very easy to install: put it under the unit. This is not a budget option and will cost more than a set of legs.
How to install?
- Disconnect all hoses from the water supply and lay the equipment on its side.
- Clean the legs; they should be free of rust and other irregularities.
- Adjust the feet so that the washing machine stands level and does not wobble. To do this, you will need a level and a wrench. Turning the foot clockwise increases the height upwards, and turning it counterclockwise decreases the height downwards.
- Put the stands on the feet of the washing machine. Modern rubber products adhere well to the surface of any coating.
- Test the machine.
DIY Washing Machine Stand
Another option is to make your own anti-vibration stands for your washing machine.
Made of rubber
If you have some rubber pieces on hand, you can cut the pads out of them yourself. To do this, you need to know the exact parameters of the legs and cut out the elements of the required shape for them.
From the eraser
Take four erasers and glue them together with superglue. Use a sharp object to make a depression in the center.
Frame stand
You can build a stand that will slightly raise the machine above the floor. The height of such a stand will be 45-50 cm. The front part is retractable, you can put detergents or sponges in it. The fastenings for the legs are made in such a way that they securely fix the machine on the stand.
Make sure you have the necessary materials and tools on hand.
- Glue for mounting.
- Drill.
- Self-tapping screws.
- Plywood.
- Wooden beams 10 x 10 cm.
- Circular saw.
Work process
- Measure the length and width of the washing machine and legs, add 5 cm to the resulting numbers - these will be the parameters of the stand.
- Cut the beams and plywood according to the parameters obtained, sand the wooden blanks.
- Assemble the wooden parts using screws. Attach all four walls from plywood sheets using glue, additionally securing with screws.
Important! Before installing the machine, place a rubber mat under the frame, it will serve as additional protection against vibrations.
Eliminating the mobility of the equipment will extend its service life, it will not wear out so intensively. After fixing a special stand under the washing machine, the vibration issue will no longer bother you.
