everythingold
Well-known member
Is it bad for a front load washer to be run on these less that solid bases?
Front loader bases
- Thread starter everythingold
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Less than solid bases?
Not sure what you are asking Matt.
Not sure what you are asking Matt.
If you are referring to those "drawer" type bases Mi
Along with other appliance makers have for their (front loading) washing machines and dryers there isn't a clear answer.
All H-Axis washing machines are happiest on solid flooring such as concrete. The more you move away from that model towards floors with "spring" and or give you are going have problems with vibration, especially during spinning.
This being said some washing machines by design can cope with less than optimal flooring to a point. However the laws of physics still apply. The higher you rise the center of balance the firmer flooring underneath must be to compensate for the downward forces and movements coming from the washer.
Using a well constructed pedestal or base on say a concrete or very solid wood floor is one thing. However doing the same with a very springy thin wood floor especially on upper floors can be a disaster.
Laundromats and even commercial laundries often have their front loading washers on platforms/bases. The reason is clear, to give customer's workers easier access for loading and unloading laundry. Those bases are most always poured concrete or some other equally solid and strong construction that has been calculated to withstand the forces generated by the washer.
Along with other appliance makers have for their (front loading) washing machines and dryers there isn't a clear answer.
All H-Axis washing machines are happiest on solid flooring such as concrete. The more you move away from that model towards floors with "spring" and or give you are going have problems with vibration, especially during spinning.
This being said some washing machines by design can cope with less than optimal flooring to a point. However the laws of physics still apply. The higher you rise the center of balance the firmer flooring underneath must be to compensate for the downward forces and movements coming from the washer.
Using a well constructed pedestal or base on say a concrete or very solid wood floor is one thing. However doing the same with a very springy thin wood floor especially on upper floors can be a disaster.
Laundromats and even commercial laundries often have their front loading washers on platforms/bases. The reason is clear, to give customer's workers easier access for loading and unloading laundry. Those bases are most always poured concrete or some other equally solid and strong construction that has been calculated to withstand the forces generated by the washer.
frontloaderfan
Well-known member
I posted that very same question here almost a year ago. The pedestals for my FL'er and matching dryer were being offered at 50% off at the local big box store. I live in an old house with wooden floors.
I bought the pedestals thinking if they shake too much, they'll just have to go back. I had the store deliver and install them on rubber anti-vibration pads and I have not had any problems since they arrived. While it is true that they raise the center of gravity, other than some initial movement when the machine first revs up, I notice no difference. In fact, they seem to transmit less vibration to the structure now than they did when they were on the floor.
I bought the pedestals thinking if they shake too much, they'll just have to go back. I had the store deliver and install them on rubber anti-vibration pads and I have not had any problems since they arrived. While it is true that they raise the center of gravity, other than some initial movement when the machine first revs up, I notice no difference. In fact, they seem to transmit less vibration to the structure now than they did when they were on the floor.
everythingold
Well-known member
Interesting
Thanks for the input. I guess what I'm hearing, and what I suspected, is that very bouncy floors are bad. Maybe it was a dumb question. lol. Tx
Thanks for the input. I guess what I'm hearing, and what I suspected, is that very bouncy floors are bad. Maybe it was a dumb question. lol. Tx
iheartmaytag
Well-known member
I have not had a problem
My machines are on a 15 inch base (pedestal) with drawers, which are in the basement on solid concrete, with a six inch pad raising them that much more above floor level.
The height is perfect, the controls are at eye level, the doors are just a reach in. They have not budged in the five years they have been sat there. Again they are on concrete so there is no give below. I can see where if they were on a main floor the bounce of a wood floor could cause some vibration, but I have not experienced this.
My machines are on a 15 inch base (pedestal) with drawers, which are in the basement on solid concrete, with a six inch pad raising them that much more above floor level.
The height is perfect, the controls are at eye level, the doors are just a reach in. They have not budged in the five years they have been sat there. Again they are on concrete so there is no give below. I can see where if they were on a main floor the bounce of a wood floor could cause some vibration, but I have not experienced this.
laundromat
Well-known member
I've had Whirlpool Duets, Frigidaire Affinities, Kitchrn Aid, Kenmore/Electrolux,and GE sets with the base risers. The Affinities were way too sensitive to any vibration sometimes not spinning at all. The KA and Duets did the best. I now have an Amana made by Samsung that is excellent in balancing loads no matter how large or small they are. My Miele's also great in handling the big or small load's a bit off balance.
brib68
Well-known member
FL pedestal/drawer bases
I'm on my second pair of LG WM0642 washer and matching electric dryer (first pair stayed with the house when we moved); second pair in use since 12/2009. The first pair didn't have the pedestals because the dealer was ignorant and/or unhelpful regarding the height and being unwilling to take them back in case I was unsatisfied by having the machines raised too high. (They are the model with the controls on top, at the rear instead of the cubes with the controls on the front panel.) They sat on a concrete basement floor with no vibration problems. From upstairs, the washer could only be heard at spin, which sounded rather like an airplane. It wasn't loud, per se, so I think it must have just been the high pitch that made it noticeable. When I bough the second pair for the new house, I was able to find dimensions for the specific pedestals for this model (not as tall as normal to account for the location of the controls) and after measuring was assured the controls would still be reachable, so I got the pedestal drawers. There aren't a ton of things that will fit in the lower-height drawers, but they make a huge difference as far as not having to bend so much to load and unload. And there has been no issue with vibration. The machines get bolted to the pedestals, and mine sit on a linoleum floor over concrete slab. The spin is even quieter on the new washer. The laundry room is at the bottom of the stairs that lead off the living room/front hall of our split-level and if the TV is on, we don't even hear the machine until the end of cycle song plays its tune.
I'm on my second pair of LG WM0642 washer and matching electric dryer (first pair stayed with the house when we moved); second pair in use since 12/2009. The first pair didn't have the pedestals because the dealer was ignorant and/or unhelpful regarding the height and being unwilling to take them back in case I was unsatisfied by having the machines raised too high. (They are the model with the controls on top, at the rear instead of the cubes with the controls on the front panel.) They sat on a concrete basement floor with no vibration problems. From upstairs, the washer could only be heard at spin, which sounded rather like an airplane. It wasn't loud, per se, so I think it must have just been the high pitch that made it noticeable. When I bough the second pair for the new house, I was able to find dimensions for the specific pedestals for this model (not as tall as normal to account for the location of the controls) and after measuring was assured the controls would still be reachable, so I got the pedestal drawers. There aren't a ton of things that will fit in the lower-height drawers, but they make a huge difference as far as not having to bend so much to load and unload. And there has been no issue with vibration. The machines get bolted to the pedestals, and mine sit on a linoleum floor over concrete slab. The spin is even quieter on the new washer. The laundry room is at the bottom of the stairs that lead off the living room/front hall of our split-level and if the TV is on, we don't even hear the machine until the end of cycle song plays its tune.
nurdlinger
Well-known member
I bought pedestals with drawers
For my Big-Square-Door Kenmore front-loaders circa 2005. They are situated on a concrete slab. Once in a while an off-balance spin will make the washer creep one way or another but in general there is no problem I can detect with using the pedestals.
For my Big-Square-Door Kenmore front-loaders circa 2005. They are situated on a concrete slab. Once in a while an off-balance spin will make the washer creep one way or another but in general there is no problem I can detect with using the pedestals.
Just taken my LG truesteam off the pedestal. During the spin it would vibrate across the laundry room floor during most cycles. Now firmly on the floor it is much more stable and seems to spin without too much vibration and no creeping.
I also took the smoked plastic cover off the door so now have a really clear view of what is going on inside the drum. A great improvement.
I also took the smoked plastic cover off the door so now have a really clear view of what is going on inside the drum. A great improvement.
