Washing Machine Question

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Danny
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Hi

I would like some advice, please. Our washing machine (an LG) seems to be giving up the ghost and it's time to replace it.

The problem is that we will be using it on a wooden suspended floor. prior to the LG, we had a Hoptpoint which vibrated madly during
the spin cycle. It would on occasion, 'walk' out of its place under the worktop. We replaced it with the LG in the hope that the Direct Drive
motor would reduce vibrations, noise, and its habit of 'walking'. Unfortunately, the LG wasn't much better. I've tried putting it on isolation
feet and I also tried a thick rubber-type mat, both of which have helped a bit, though it still vibrates quite a lot in use. Now that I'm looking at a replacement washing machine, I'm undecided whether to go for another LG or a Miele or possibly another brand.

These are the two machines I'm looking at:

LG: https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/house...-spin-washing-machine-white-10194555-pdt.html

MIELE: https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/house...db020-washing-machine-white-10158597-pdt.html

I know that normally the standard recommendation would be to go for the Miele. But what worries me is that Miele is apparently 25Kg heavier than the LG. The LG is 60Kg and the Miele 85Kg. Whilst weight is normally a good thing, it will mean that the machine is coupled more tightly to the wooden floor. My limited efforts at reducing vibration have involved decoupling the LG from the floor. So I'm unsure, that although the Miele is the better machine, in terms of noise or vibration it may be even worse than the LG I have now.

Articles like this: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2...ing-machine-vibration-spin-cycle-shakes-house do not provide much comfort.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions or useful advice?

Cheers
 
We have an AEG that spins at 1600rpm, hasn't made a move as yet.
Out last one was a Hoover and that tried to escape on many occasions.
 
https://www.jmldirect.com/at-home/u...pad-for-your-washing-machine-and-tumble-dryer

That cured my vibrating washing machine. The vibration was so bad that I thought it was going to wreck the kitchen.
I put a pad between the machine and the worktop that gave approx.75% reduction in vibration. I then put a second pad at one side of the machine ................. completely eliminated the vibration.

If you go down that route don't forget the power of pneumatics. Pump the pad up too hard and it can force a worktop off it's fixings.
 
We now have a Samsung Ecobubble 7.0kg and bought it a few years back after reading good comparative reviews.

The very first time we used it, it was s marvel! It balances every load as part of its start (most noticeable with heavier poorly distributed loads. When it gets to the spin if the load is uneven it ceases and it's fuzzy logic operates and suffice to say it just does not walk (all previous machines without the fuzzy logic~ had the walk problem by varying degrees). Yes, there is a limitation as to how well it manages to balance and as far as I can tell if the logic detects a tad of off balance it reduces the spin speed.

FWIW ours is on a solid concrete floor!
 
I've had a Samsung Ecobubble for about 4 years, even with a very out of balance load it has never really shook itself around the room.
Just like Box Brownie says it has an out of balance detect and will slow down or even reverse if it gets the shakes.

Don't pay Meille prices, they are not much different to any other machine inside. Mine too is on a concrete floor but my Mum had one on a normal floor and it behaved just the same.
 
Thanks for the ideas so far. I’m intrigued by the JML pads.

At first, the concept of ‘balanced loads’ was something that were blissfully unaware of, but now we are careful to try to ensure a
balanced load goes into the washing machine. It’s helped, but not solved the problem. I’m certain that the wooden suspended floor
is a big culprit.

The dilemma is whether a machine with increased weight will damp the vibrations more effectively or whether coupling more tightly to the floor
will make matter worse.

Appreciate all your input.
 
Thanks for the ideas so far. I’m intrigued by the JML pads.

At first, the concept of ‘balanced loads’ was something that were blissfully unaware of, but now we are careful to try to ensure a
balanced load goes into the washing machine. It’s helped, but not solved the problem. I’m certain that the wooden suspended floor
is a big culprit.

The dilemma is whether a machine with increased weight will damp the vibrations more effectively or whether coupling more tightly to the floor
will make matter worse.

Appreciate all your input.

As both @ChrisH and I have experienced the Samsung and it's logic control system is very effective but our mutual experience is only from it in solid floors.

I can imagine a suspended floor can respond with sympathetic vibration/resonance that may overwhelm such logic controls ability to 100% compensate.

Why not email Samsung enquiring about the "floors" question in regard to the issue that you have?
 
You're trying to fix the problem backwards.

The correct way is to strengthen the floor so that it doesn't bounce.
This could be by beefing up the floor joists, putting in noggins, adding extra supports under the joists, replacing the floor with thicker ply (just at the WM position) - I'm assuming there is probably chipboard for the floor...
Once you fix the problem the WM will be fine - you just put a couple of screws in to keep it in position.
 
Had a Miele on a suspended timber floor for 15 years and no vibration issues

Probably because the floor was not bouncy...

I've had to strengthen several floors over the years as a bathroom and kitchen fitter. It's not uncommon.
The normal way is to replace chipboard with 22mm ply and check the joists when the floor has been removed.
 
The extra weight of the Miele should reduce vibration.

We're on our second Miele, the first lasted 15 years instead of 3 to 7 years of another brand.
 
You're trying to fix the problem backwards.

The correct way is to strengthen the floor so that it doesn't bounce.
This could be by beefing up the floor joists, putting in noggins, adding extra supports under the joists, replacing the floor with thicker ply (just at the WM position) - I'm assuming there is probably chipboard for the floor...
Once you fix the problem the WM will be fine - you just put a couple of screws in to keep it in position.

You're right, the floor should be fixed first. But sadly that isn't feasible. Our existing washing machine is to all intents and purposes dead and will need to be replaced within days. It will be sometime before I can consider getting the floor sorted. Hence my post here as I will have to decide which machine to get very soon.

By the way, there is no obvious 'bounce' to the floor and it is not covered by chipboard, but rather Marine Ply, though I can't recall how thick it is.
 
You're right, the floor should be fixed first. But sadly that isn't feasible. Our existing washing machine is to all intents and purposes dead and will need to be replaced within days. It will be sometime before I can consider getting the floor sorted. Hence my post here as I will have to decide which machine to get very soon.

By the way, there is no obvious 'bounce' to the floor and it is not covered by chipboard, but rather Marine Ply, though I can't recall how thick it is.
It may be the joists in that case. Do you have access under the floor? - I had to put a few brick piers in on one house I worked at.
 
You're right, the floor should be fixed first. But sadly that isn't feasible. Our existing washing machine is to all intents and purposes dead and will need to be replaced within days. It will be sometime before I can consider getting the floor sorted. Hence my post here as I will have to decide which machine to get very soon.

By the way, there is no obvious 'bounce' to the floor and it is not covered by chipboard, but rather Marine Ply, though I can't recall how thick it is.

Sad to say i put a new floor in our "new" untility room a few months back and safe to say we had the same issue, tried feet, mats, even contemplated nailing a stop in front of ours but bit the bullet and bought a new machine (the other was 10years plus old) nice fancy-dancy £600 washing machine and exactly the same, still runs around the utility room, so im just going to add another level on top of mine, it was 18mm marine ply, didn't notice any movement, but the washing machine seems to find it.

The floor has to be fixed, just my 2 cents.
 
It may be the joists in that case. Do you have access under the floor? - I had to put a few brick piers in on one house I worked at.

No, no access under the floor.

Sad to say i put a new floor in our "new" untility room a few months back and safe to say we had the same issue, tried feet, mats, even contemplated nailing a stop in front of ours but bit the bullet and bought a new machine (the other was 10years plus old) nice fancy-dancy £600 washing machine and exactly the same, still runs around the utility room, so im just going to add another level on top of mine, it was 18mm marine ply, didn't notice any movement, but the washing machine seems to find it.

The floor has to be fixed, just my 2 cents.


Thanks, I do understand that to fix the problem, I will have to get the floor sorted out.

But that just isn't possible to do now and our washing machine is dead.

I need to find a machine that will generate the minimum possible noise and vibration on the floor as it is now.
 
@Uncle Fester

This is what Samsung says about this :( solid floor or re-enforced wooden one!
https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5...our-washing-machine-quieter/m-p/1625236#M2024

PS I wonder whether a metal sheet (textured Dural?) for it to stand on would mitigate for the problem??? AFAIK a stiff rigid surface will distribute the weight better than the wooden floor................having said that such a load spreader needs to be larger than the washing machine footprint!


Thanks for that, I'll have a read. (y)

I confess to being extremely dim-witted when it comes to practical matters, and I've never heard of Dural but will investigate it - cheers.
 
You're trying to fix the problem backwards.

The correct way is to strengthen the floor so that it doesn't bounce.
This could be by beefing up the floor joists, putting in noggins, adding extra supports under the joists, replacing the floor with thicker ply (just at the WM position) - I'm assuming there is probably chipboard for the floor...
Once you fix the problem the WM will be fine - you just put a couple of screws in to keep it in position.

What would you suggest for a concrete floor (beam and block, screed over)? Machine wanders if it manages to get its load unbalanced. Usually only happens when we're washing towels so we keep an eye on it and nudge it back if it starts wandering.
 
I confess to being extremely dim-witted when it comes to practical matters, and I've never heard of Dural but will investigate it - cheers.

It's a tough aluminium alloy, useful for things like bash plates on bikes and cars taken off-road, plus all kinds of other mechanical engineering stuff.

How about a small car boot liner - rubbery and grippy - underneath?

*edit*
Just had a chat with my wife about whether our Miele moves - she commented that if it was unbalanced then it didn't spin so fast, so presumably there's some kind of oscillation-sensing system built in that limits speed to prevent walking.
 
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What would you suggest for a concrete floor (beam and block, screed over)? Machine wanders if it manages to get its load unbalanced. Usually only happens when we're washing towels so we keep an eye on it and nudge it back if it starts wandering.
A strap of wood 600mm x 10 or 15mm in height, probably 30mm wide, across the front, up against the feet, screwed into the floor.
Generally, if the WM is levelled properly it shouldn't move. It only takes a slight difference in foot height for the machine to move. (and it is not that easy to level them in situ)
Throw an extra clean towel in if there is not enough washing in the WM.
 
FWIW

A towel load gives no problems......I refer you to my earlier post re fuzzy logic and balancing going on.

The one garment that can defeat it is when we wash fleece jackets. A few in there is ok but on occasion we wash just one or two and we end up having to rescue it/them to wring them out to reduce the amount of water "trapped" in the fabric.
 
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