Laminate under washing machine 'bouncy' causing knocking noise on spin.

portlanders · Post by **portlanders** » Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:31 pm

Washing machine makes loud knocking noise on 1400 spins (transport bolts are out and machine is level)
I have 12mm laminate on 5mm foam underlay in the kitchen to which the washing machine sits.
The rear of the laminate where it reaches the back wall is somewhat 'bouncy' and i believe this is the cause of the knocking on spin. It's solid where the front feet are, just bouncy and uneven by the back legs.

I don't want to take all appliances out, plinths up, and lifting all the flooring just to look at this.
What i was thinking best plan is to draw a line where the front feet of the washing machine are, cut out the laminate flooring from that point, lay 18mm osb, and silicone the gap between the laminate and osb.

Or perhaps just do this for the back feet and leave the front as they are?

Does this sound feasible? if so what is the best way to fix down the osb, and what packers can be used to ensure it's level?
If not feasible any other suggestions?

Machine is under a worktop, probably another 10mm to play with.
I have levelled the machine best i can, but the flooring under the machine is not the same level as outside it, so whilst i have levelled left to right perfect, i can't be sure it is level front to back.

Thanks for any help with this, it's a new machine with a 5 year parts and labour warranty so want to make sure flooring is spot on.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:47 pm

portlanders wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:31 pmlay 18mm osb

portlanders wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:31 pm10mm to play with

How will it fit?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Washing machines should tip backwards, SLIGHTLY, never forwards, so jacking up the back is not a good idea.

Why don't you pull the machine out and have a look? It's very easy to pull out a washing machine.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:57 pm

A bit late now but I always place some carpet offcut under the machine. I invert it pile down and this makes it easier to slide the machine in and out and provide a vibration absorbing pad. Often the load can cause excessive vibration our machine is a free-standing under worktop and that can 'wander' at times. I really do not think the springy laminate is the cause as the machine weight would hold it flat.

DWD

portlanders · Post by **portlanders** » Mon Jul 19, 2021 1:19 pm

portlanders wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:31 pm Washing machine makes loud knocking noise on 1400 spins (transport bolts are out and machine is level)
I have 12mm laminate on 5mm foam underlay in the kitchen to which the washing machine sits.
The rear of the laminate where it reaches the back wall is somewhat 'bouncy' and i believe this is the cause of the knocking on spin. It's solid where the front feet are, just bouncy and uneven by the back legs.

I don't want to take all appliances out, plinths up, and lifting all the flooring just to look at this.
What i was thinking best plan is to draw a line where the front feet of the washing machine are, cut out the laminate flooring from that point, lay 18mm osb, and silicone the gap between the laminate and osb.

Or perhaps just do this for the back feet and leave the front as they are?

Does this sound feasible? if so what is the best way to fix down the osb, and what packers can be used to ensure it's level?
If not feasible any other suggestions?

Machine is under a worktop, probably another 10mm to play with.
I have levelled the machine best i can, but the flooring under the machine is not the same level as outside it, so whilst i have levelled left to right perfect, i can't be sure it is level front to back.

Thanks for any help with this, it's a new machine with a 5 year parts and labour warranty so want to make sure flooring is spot on.

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:47 pm
portlanders wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:31 pmlay 18mm osb

portlanders wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:31 pm10mm to play with
How will it fit?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Washing machines should tip backwards, SLIGHTLY, never forwards, so jacking up the back is not a good idea.

Why don't you pull the machine out and have a look? It's very easy to pull out a washing machine.

Sorry... i meant to take out the laminate flooring under the machine and replace it with the osb.

I think the flooring maybe slightly risen at the back, so saying they should tip back slightly has me thinking this maybe the cause.. so if i raise the front legs a bit more it may help.
Best to pull machine out again and check with a level and try to replicate that with the legs.

If i'm honest the machine ways a ton, and is a sod to move in and out which i've done a few times already to try and get it even.... but will give it another go.

Thank you.

portlanders · Post by **portlanders** » Mon Jul 19, 2021 1:22 pm

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:57 pm A bit late now but I always place some carpet offcut under the machine. I invert it pile down and this makes it easier to slide the machine in and out and provide a vibration absorbing pad. Often the load can cause excessive vibration our machine is a free-standing under worktop and that can 'wander' at times. I really do not think the springy laminate is the cause as the machine weight would hold it flat.

DWD

Interesting, thanks very much...... the getting the machine in/out is a pain, but if the offcuts could help with vibrations and getting it in/out then it's a winner!

Our machine stays put... just load knocking noise on the spin that if you put your hand on the top of the machine and press down it stops....until either the spin slows or you remove your hand.. neither a solution.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:36 pm

Is the machine screwed into the cabinet? If there is a slight clearance slipping some form of buffer between the machine side and the cabinet might help.

DWD

portlanders · Post by **portlanders** » Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:40 am

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:36 pm Is the machine screwed into the cabinet? If there is a slight clearance slipping some form of buffer between the machine side and the cabinet might help.

DWD

It's a free standing machine and there is sufficient clearance each side, so even on a high spin it's still not touching anything.

yartin · Post by **yartin** » Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:41 am

What make is the washing machine, is it a new one?
I bought a w/m few years ago placed on tiled floor free standing nothing either side, was vibrating going for a walk knocking on walls when spinning, was all level, manufacturer asked to put anti vibration w/m matt which I did and same, called Currys to refund and bought Bosche, been without mat and all good.

portlanders · Post by **portlanders** » Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:50 am

yartin wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:41 am What make is the washing machine, is it a new one?
I bought a w/m few years ago placed on tiled floor free standing nothing either side, was vibrating going for a walk knocking on walls when spinning, was all level, manufacturer asked to put anti vibration w/m matt which I did and same, called Currys to refund and bought Bosche, been without mat and all good.

It's a brand new Samsung.

yartin · Post by **yartin** » Tue Jul 20, 2021 12:12 pm

portlanders wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:50 am
yartin wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:41 am What make is the washing machine, is it a new one?
I bought a w/m few years ago placed on tiled floor free standing nothing either side, was vibrating going for a walk knocking on walls when spinning, was all level, manufacturer asked to put anti vibration w/m matt which I did and same, called Currys to refund and bought Bosche, been without mat and all good.
It's a brand new Samsung.

Mine was same brand, that's why I asked. My ex bought one and recommended, she started having same problem soon afterwards! Hers was in the kitchen on laminate floor w/m knocking adjacent units
I did waste too much time with manufacturer on telephone support, levelling zillion times no luck, currys refunded even paid for the mat...
There must be a way....

portlanders · Post by **portlanders** » Tue Jul 20, 2021 2:53 pm

yartin wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 12:12 pm
portlanders wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:50 am
yartin wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:41 am What make is the washing machine, is it a new one?
I bought a w/m few years ago placed on tiled floor free standing nothing either side, was vibrating going for a walk knocking on walls when spinning, was all level, manufacturer asked to put anti vibration w/m matt which I did and same, called Currys to refund and bought Bosche, been without mat and all good.
It's a brand new Samsung.
Mine was same brand, that's why I asked. My ex bought one and recommended, she started having same problem soon afterwards! Hers was in the kitchen on laminate floor w/m knocking adjacent units
I did waste too much time with manufacturer on telephone support, levelling zillion times no luck, currys refunded even paid for the mat...
There must be a way....

Cheers Yarin that's very interesting.
We got our from Crampton & Moore so may have to approach them if the problem doesn't resolve.

Interestingly we just put on a long wash which included 3 x 1400 spins and there was no problem. I did observe during the cycle when the most water was added that the laminate plank under the front left foot, flexed a little. This plank is on the last row against the wall.
I won't do anything now, as i say, it behaved normally, but if it does start knocking again i may look at firming this plank up.

Scarparoo · Post by **Scarparoo** » Fri Oct 01, 2021 2:24 pm

portlanders wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:31 pm snip

This is exactly what happened to me OP.

I laid a new laminate flooring right to the edge of the wall where the washing machine was to be go. I had the same issue. The brand new machine was going crazy on spin.
I tried a long time to level it etc. In the end I realised it is the laminate flooring on the foam underlay. It is just too springy for a washing machine.
In the end I marked like you suggested and cut out the laminate with a multi tool. Not a nice job. I then took out the foam underlay in this section down to the solid floor which was uneven terrocotta brick type tiles but a solid base.
I then fixed a a square of polythene in place to this cut out and poured in self levelling latex base for the machine. Never had a problem since