Our team at Freedom Appliances knows how frustrating it is when your washing machine starts dancing across the laundry room floor. You might be sitting in the living room when you suddenly hear a loud banging noise coming from the laundry area. A shaking washer is not just loud and annoying; it can actually cause serious damage to your home and the machine itself. When a washer vibrates too much, it can pull on water hoses or electrical wires, leading to leaks or even electrical shorts. We want to help you understand why this happens and how you can keep your laundry room quiet and safe.
The Importance of a Level Foundation
The most common reason a washing machine shakes is that it is not sitting level on the floor. Most modern machines have adjustable legs that you can screw in or out to change the height. If one corner is even slightly higher than the others, the machine will rock back and forth during the high-speed spin cycle. We suggest using a bubble level to check the top of your machine from side to side and front to back. If the bubble is not centered, our professional technicians can help you adjust the legs properly. A level machine stays in one place and prevents the internal parts from hitting the sides of the cabinet.
Loading Your Laundry the Right Way
We often find that “walking” washers are simply the result of an unbalanced load. If you put one heavy bath towel in with a bunch of light t-shirts, that heavy towel will stick to one side of the drum. As the drum spins fast, the weight becomes uneven, and the machine starts to shake violently. We suggest spreading clothes evenly around the drum instead of piling them in one spot. If you are washing heavy items like blankets or rugs, try to wash two at a time to keep the weight balanced. Proper loading is the easiest way to prevent Washer Repair Okotoks visits.
Checking for Worn Out Suspension Springs
Inside your washing machine, there are several heavy-duty springs and shock absorbers that hold the drum in place. These parts are designed to soak up the vibrations while the machine spins. Over time, these springs can stretch out or the shock absorbers can leak fluid and lose their bounce. When this happens, the drum will hit the frame of the machine with a loud “thump.” If your washer continues to shake even when it is empty, you likely have a mechanical problem. Our team at Freedom Appliances can replace these internal parts to make your machine feel like new again.
Why You Should Never Ignore the Shaking
It is tempting to just push the washer back into place and ignore the noise, but this leads to bigger problems. Constant vibration puts a massive amount of stress on the motor and the bearings that allow the drum to spin. If you let the shaking continue, the bearings can shatter, which is a very expensive fix. If you notice that the noises or shaking increase during every load, it is time to call for Appliance Repair Okotoks services. Catching the problem early saves you from having to buy a completely new machine.
Maintaining Your Floor and Surroundings
Sometimes the problem is not the washer at all, but the floor underneath it. In some older homes in the Okotoks area, the laundry room floor might be a bit soft or uneven. We recommend placing a thick rubber anti-vibration mat under the machine if your floor is slippery or slightly weak. This mat helps grip the feet of the washer and absorbs the extra energy from the spin cycle. However, if the floor is sagging, you should Contact Us so we can inspect the machine and ensure it is installed as safely as possible.
Trusting the Professionals for a Quiet Home
Keeping your home peaceful is important to us. A stable washer means you can do laundry at night without waking up the whole family. We have the tools and the experience to diagnose why your machine is acting up and fix it quickly. Whether you need a simple adjustment or a full suspension replacement, Freedom Appliances is ready to help. We take pride in being the emergency washer repair experts that our neighbors trust for honest and reliable service.
FAQ
Why does my washer only shake during the spin cycle?
The spin cycle is when the drum moves at its highest speed to pull water out of your clothes. Any small balance issue or unlevel leg becomes much more obvious when the machine is spinning fast.
Can a shaking washer cause a leak?
Yes, it can. If the machine moves too much, it can pull on the rubber water hoses or the drain line. If those hoses crack or come loose, you will end up with a flood in your laundry room.
How do I know if my shock absorbers are bad?
If you push down on the drum and it bounces more than once before stopping, your shock absorbers are likely worn out. A healthy machine should settle back into place almost immediately.
Is it okay to use a “silent” or “anti-vibration” mat?
Yes, these mats can be very helpful, especially on hardwood or tile floors. However, they are not a fix for broken internal parts like springs or bearings.
