Anti vibration mats? Other ideas?

14 years ago

Hi, all. I've searched the forum for information about anti-vibration mats to use with front loaders, but I can't seem to find the link I saw before about where to buy and if they are really worth it.

My situation: I have a GE FL that gave us no vibration problems at all until we moved to a new-to-us house that had the laundry on the top floor on a makeshift platform. There is no access to the underside of the platform unless we rip out the ceiling below, which my husband is against.

The washer shakes so bad sometimes that my brother thought a military helicopter was right over our house when I had a load of towels going.

I have a level and crow bar next to the washer and level it about weekly, which helps only minimally for a load or two, and then it shakes itself out of level again (I suspect that the makeshift platform floor on which the washer sits is quite spongey).

Money is tight so we can't do the total remodel I'd like to do, so I need an interim solution. Could that be the anti-vibration mats I remember reading about on this forum?

I've also wondered if simply putting a sheet of sturdy plywood under the whole washer would help or hurt? I'd have to fasten it with liquid nails because of the various pipes that run underneath the platform.

My other thoughts are to ditch the front loader and go with an agitator-less top loaders (I have four kids and tons of laundry so high capacity is a must). That certainly would be cheaper than hiring a contractor to fix the floor.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

Bert

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Comments (4)

polie
14 years ago
I've seen recommendations on this board for "Shake Away" pads by Kellet Enterprises. www.keshakeaway.com

I think they're about $30.

If you do get them, please post your review! Thank you and best of luck in cutting down the vibrations.
steve_a
14 years ago
My guess would be that it's the "makeshift platform" that's the problem. Sounds like the real solution might have to be rip out the platforms, put the machines on a sturdy floor, or buy the factory platforms, or have some really sturdy ones built. Of course these are only speculations. You could also get a professional installer/service tech to look, but that might be $150 or so down the drain. Sorry.
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bert76
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks. I've ordered the mats and will post a review once we have them under the washer.

I'd love to have the money to completely redo the laundry situation, but that's not the case for us. Even if we just redid the platform for the washer, we'd be sinking money into a very bad laundry design. Basically, the washer and dryer are stuck in boxes in the wall about a foot off the floor in our main hallway upstairs.

We had to remove the folding doors that hide the units so we could pull the soap drawer out for the washer and so it could air out between loads.

It's just a really ugly design situation, but one I'll have to live with it until we win the lottery or my husband agrees to buy an agitatorless toploader.

If anybody has any other inexpensive ideas, let me know!

Bert
lkbum_gw
14 years ago
I bought the anti-vibration "pads" at Lowes. Really, and I mean really, surprised at how well they work. The machine still shakes during the high speed spin, but the helicopter sound and vibration to the house were almost completely eliminated. This was in a 2nd floor installation with a Whirlpool Duet washer. I'm curious to see how long they last given the amount of energy they absorb.

Anti vibration mats? Other ideas?

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Anti vibration mats? Other ideas?

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