Large cap. FL laundry for second floor

14 years ago

I joined the forum last year to seek advice on large capacity laundry for use on the second floor. The LG at the time were popular but warnings were given about potential for vibration.

I decided on the LG Trom set in the end because it was the only one in red, which I wanted. I felt I could resolve any vibration issues because I was doing a major renovation on the house and could put in more bracing. For the technically minded, I poured a 3 inch concrete base on the floor, topped that with a 5/8th inch hard rubber mat, and topped that again with criss-crossed 2x4 to distribute the weight, and topped that with 3/4" ply. Under the floor I put triple 2x10 joists on 8 inch centers. One end of those joists rests on a regular bearing wall; the other on a triple 2x13 LVL laminated beam. This is one solid floor, but despite it all the LG washer WM2487HRMA still causes the house to vibrate in the strangest places, one of which is a window on the main floor 40 feet away that shakes like crazy. It even causes the LVL beam to bounce.

I've tried everything, even putting anti-vibration mats under the feet but it's like trying to squeeze a balloon in your hands - when you squeeze in one area the balloon just bulges out in another!

Enough's enough and this LG washer has to go.

So I'm back on the forum, mouth full of humble pie, and asking for recommendations on a large capacity FL laundry set suitable for a (well braced!) second floor AND suitable for a septic tank. I mention the septic tank because from what I've seen recently the Samsung has the best vibration technology but their silver process is not suitable for septic tanks.

Thanks all!

Jason

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

housefairy
14 years ago
The Electrolux comes in red. They are suppose to be great for second floor installation. And they are huge! I'm sure someone can give you their personal opinion on how they actually like the machines.

As far as the Samsung, you don't have to use the silver care.

And sorry to hear about your LG's. The red ones are very pretty.
User
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks housefairy. Yes, the red LG look very sharp and I built the laundry to complement them - forest green walls, light maple cupboards and oiled fir doors and trim! So red is still on the table as is the Aspen that Whirlpool have.

I had not thought about the Electrolux - that would be the EWFLW65 ? Does anyone have experience with this?

And what about the Whirlpool & Samsung?

And, I hesitate to ask, does LG have a second floor friendly washer yet?

Sorry if I'm mumbling, this humble pie is tough stuff ... lol

Thanks again

Jason
Related Discussions
Duet delimma/ tray in second floor laundry room
Q
Comments (4)
First, I recommend a deep breath. It's only laundry, after all. (I can say this, because a few months back, I was where you are, hyperventilating about all the choices!) You can find my ongoing saga by searching for Bosch 500 and platform and second floor. I need to go update that thread with some pictures and if I have time later tonight, I will. They do make different sized trays. I used one called Floodsaver, from floodsaver.com and had to choose their larger pan to fit the front loaders. I opted for their entire surround. No tray will allow the drawer to open. The Bosch set has crappy little drawers that don't store much, so I opted for platform to get the height, and the tray because I'm paranoid about leaks. But many people have correctly pointed out that you're not talking 20 or 30 gallons of water in the machine at a time. And I know the Duet has really NICE drawers, so you do have to make a choice. Another option you have... search for Luna Laundry System in the forum and build THAT sort of storage with a tray on top! Then you can bail out on the Duet drawers but still have height and storage and the tray! I do have a vibration problem, but I'm going to put some ShakeAway pads under the machine (when I can get someone to come help me with the logistics of doing it). The vibration is only at certain stages of the spin cycle - maybe 5 solid minutes of things around the house jiggling. It's no worse than what we used to experience in older homes near railroad tracks when a train came through, however. Here is a link that might be useful: Floodsaver laundry pans and surrounds
...See More
Who has FL washer on second floor??
Q
Comments (18)
I shut the water valves myself when my machine is not in use. I guess that would not help if a hose or solenoid valve broke while the washer was running, but I'm home then and would hopefully notice. I don't really understand why the amount of water used in a cycle would matter if a hose or solenoid valve breaks. In fact, if a solenoid valve breaks, water is going to spill out of the machine a lot sooner in a FLer than a TLer. I don't have a drain pan, but my first floor laundry room has a floor drain next to the washer (the floor slopes slightly to the drain) so between that, and shutting my valves when they are not in use, I feel pretty safe. And I have had a solenoid go out on a washer in another house. Good thing I had a basement laundry room, what a mess. Oh yeah, My mom has had to replace the water hose for her refrigerator 5 times in 15 years because of leaks (they tend to crack) which is why I don't have water and ice in my fridge. These flow restrictors also work when a machine is on correct? So if a solenoid valve broke while the machine is running it would sense that too much water was flowing and shut off the flow? How does it shut off the water? Does it use a solenoid valve also?
...See More
Laundry room second floor--big family and lots of loads?
Q
Comments (8)
CamG-So glad you're getting close. It's so exciting!! I grew up in a split level house with the laundry in the finished basement just off the family room. Yes, it was a pain to run the clothes up the stairs, however, it made it easy to keep an eye on kids while doing laundry. However, having the laundry room upstairs eliminates all that running up & down. Plus having the laundry up means you won't have to walk through your laundry room every time you enter the house from the garage entry. It really comes down to what you're willing to trade off. Have you thought about putting a stacked W/D unit in the mud room (maybe concealed by a door) and then having the full-on laundry room upstairs? That may be another option to consider. Regardless of which level you decide to put the laundry room on, I would post your plans on the laundry and/or kitchen forums to get input on how to make that space the most efficient. For instance, in the plan in the link for the upstairs laundry, you really don't have alot of counter space for folding or anywhere for hampers. What you have is really just a room that has a sink in it and a washer/dryer. The space could be made more efficient by eliminating the little counter just as you come in the door, sliding the W/D down into that space so they're against the wall, spin the sink around the corner to sit next to the W/D. Now you have ~4'6" of space on the window wall for a folding counter and hampers underneath. If you did hampers similar to what I have, you have enough room for 3 hamper units with 2 hamper in each unit. Each hamper holds 1 full load of laundry. We use ours to presort the clothes as the dirties are brought into the laundry by each family member, which saves me some time as well. We only have 2 kids and between them & DH they generate a TON of laundry. You will really appreciate having the folding space and hamper sorting space to help keep the room organized and provide a spot for sorting & storage of dirties and eliminate the need to move clean unfolded laundry from the laundry room to another area of the house where there is more space for folded clothes to be stacked. Here's a pic of the hamper idea I was referring to: Hope this helps!
...See More
dogs, diapers, and second floor laundry- which washer?
Q
Comments (15)
I still say ignore Consumer Reports and you'll be far better off. They're way too biased. If you try to use a FL on a non-basement floor, make sure you get it in writing that you have a full-credit return option if there's any problem. And now there's options for heaters on TL models too. Harmony has one, Oasis has one and if rumors are true, Bravos will soon have one which would mean the Cabrio wouldn't be far behind. Speed Queen and Fisher & Paykal TLs would also be good options. With both you can have deep rinses. SQ gives a decent spin speed and the F&P is a high spin speed. I was skeptical so I decided to do a quick search on the comment that everyone says you must have a FL with a heater. I looked at the first five links and not one made that requirement! One of the first sites on the list, along with a lot more, had this to say: Washing Machines A simple, inexpensive top loader cleans best. Some families actually buy a second washing machine, and love having 2 machines for their growing families long after the diapering years are over. That's not an option for everyone, but if you do find yourself in a position to purchase a new washer, do NOT buy a low water machine, unless you have a very real need to conserve water. A standard, simple top-loader cleans best. Super-heated cycles on expensive washers are not recommended for diapers since they will destroy the cotton, and the super-heating is not necessary. From our experience, very expensive front loading washers and automatic water level top loading machines make diaper washing more difficult than a simple, inexpensive top loader. More expensive does not mean "better at cleaning" when it comes to the price of washers. Except however, if you can get a warm rinse that is nice to have, because warm water helps rinse detergent residue easier than cold water. So, if you were about to buy a $1,300.00 washer, buy a nice $300 or $400.00 top loader instead and you just came up with $900.00 to spend on a very fancy cloth diaper wardrobe! It went on to say that FL will work fine too. Interesting comments. Many here admit that cotton diapers are best, and many here also concur that high heat damages cotton. Therefore it lends credibility that the heater might NOT be nirvana when it comes to washing diapers. The warm rinse comment was interesting too since Consumer Reports maintains that there is no difference in rinsing at cold or warm temps. But, considering CR.... I maintain there is no one best machine for everyone. Any of these mentioned will do a fine job IMO. Learning to use it properly is normally the key.
...See More
housefairy
14 years ago
The Electrolux you mentioned has the wave touch. I have the wave touch on my oven. It's pretty cool and it has something to do with the current in your fingers. Meaning it doesn't work if you have on an oven mitt or glove. However I don't know if it's really worth the cost on a washer. It looks like the IQ and wave touch do the same thing, but I could be wrong. If you are into gadgets you might get a kick out of how it works. So far my oven works flawlessly. It does an amazing job and I would purchase it again. It's coming up on a year old. The only gripe I have is the chime for the timer could be louder. I would do a search for Electrolux washers on this site as some have commented that the chime on the washer could also be louder. But otherwise the purchasers seem to be happy campers. LOL

I just have the basic Samsung. Actually it works better that my old FL Neptune, even when the Neptune was new. I have been very happy with how it operates. Mine are on pedestals on the main floor. Concrete foundation with joists. Nothing elaborate like what you are describing. Have had no issues with vibration. They are quieter than my old Neptune as far as the airplane noise when they ramp up for the spin. The only thing is I think the pump is noisier. And that could be because it is setting on a pedestal. It is probably transmitting noise through the metal box. The old washer set on the floor. I got such a deal on the Samsung set I couldn't pass them up. However, I would purchase the same model again, as I really don't use or need all the different wash combos. So far, I've been happy. They wash/dry, clothes come out clean. What more can you ask for?
oregpsnow
14 years ago
I don't know if this applies to you but there have been reports here and other locations of vibration problems in houses using laminated beams. Because of the design they transmit vibration to other parts of the house. Some people report broken windows and cracks in the walls. I think that may be an extreme case, but multiple reports exist.

Large cap. FL laundry for second floor

Comments (4)

housefairy

User
Original Author

Related Discussions

housefairy

oregpsnow

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Large cap. FL laundry for second floor

Comments (4)

housefairy

UserOriginal Author

Related Discussions

housefairy

oregpsnow

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

User
Original Author