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Washing Machine Vibration Problem Al B 12-17-2006
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Posted by Al B on December 17, 2006, 5:17 pm
In a new custom-built home, the 3,000 sq ft ground floor is supported
by an 8-course block foundation and TJI's over a crawl space. The
laundry room and clothes washer is located in an area resting on an
18' TJI span supported on the foundation at each end.

On the clothes washer's slowest spin cycle, vibration radiates out to
15' enough to loosen drywall screws and cause moldings to separate at
seams.

To damp the vibration, we braced one of the two TJI's right under the
washer with a 4x4. There is some improvement but not enough. We are
looking for more ideas as to what can be done.

Should we try installing additional bracing under the TJI's in the
location of the washer: more 4x4's, several permanent jacks, concrete
block columns, etc.?

An additional possibility is to install vibration-absorbing pads. One
product aimed at the retail market can be seen at
http://www.kellettent.com/ (very slow loading website): the "LP-13
Shake Absorber® Vibration & Isolation Pad" described at
http://www.kellettent.com/mountingpads.html.

The IQS Directory lists many suppliers of vibration absorbers, but
they seem to be mostly industrial:
http://www.iqsdirectory.com/pagetwoads.aspx?CatID=187.

We would be grateful for any thoughts, ideas, suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

Al B.


















Posted by hawgeye on December 17, 2006, 6:39 pm

"Al B" wrote...
> In a new custom-built home, the 3,000 sq ft ground floor is supported
> by an 8-course block foundation and TJI's over a crawl space. The
> laundry room and clothes washer is located in an area resting on an
> 18' TJI span supported on the foundation at each end.
>
> On the clothes washer's slowest spin cycle, vibration radiates out to
> 15' enough to loosen drywall screws and cause moldings to separate at
> seams.

It does all that damage and the washing machine doesn't dance across the
floor?

> To damp the vibration, we braced one of the two TJI's right under the
> washer with a 4x4. There is some improvement but not enough. We are
> looking for more ideas as to what can be done.
>
> Should we try installing additional bracing under the TJI's in the
> location of the washer: more 4x4's, several permanent jacks, concrete
> block columns, etc.?

For some reason, I don't think it's a structural problem. Sounds more like
the washing machine is out of balance. Check the level on the machine, try
running an empty load with just water. It could be that who ever is doing
laundry is overloading it or not distributing the clothes evenly.



Posted by Art on December 17, 2006, 8:35 pm
hawgeye wrote:
> "Al B" wrote...
>> In a new custom-built home, the 3,000 sq ft ground floor is supported
>> by an 8-course block foundation and TJI's over a crawl space. The
>> laundry room and clothes washer is located in an area resting on an
>> 18' TJI span supported on the foundation at each end.
>>
>> On the clothes washer's slowest spin cycle, vibration radiates out to
>> 15' enough to loosen drywall screws and cause moldings to separate at
>> seams.
>
> It does all that damage and the washing machine doesn't dance across the
> floor?
>
>> To damp the vibration, we braced one of the two TJI's right under the
>> washer with a 4x4. There is some improvement but not enough. We are
>> looking for more ideas as to what can be done.
>>
>> Should we try installing additional bracing under the TJI's in the
>> location of the washer: more 4x4's, several permanent jacks, concrete
>> block columns, etc.?
>
> For some reason, I don't think it's a structural problem. Sounds more like
> the washing machine is out of balance. Check the level on the machine, try
> running an empty load with just water. It could be that who ever is doing
> laundry is overloading it or not distributing the clothes evenly.
>
>

It also could be that it's a new machine. They often have shipping
straps that need to be cut or screws that need to be removed so the drum
can move around. Maybe that step got missed...

--
Art

Posted by Al B on December 18, 2006, 8:40 am
Art, thanks for the response. In reply to hawgeye, I just posted
additional information about the washer, the installation, the service
call, and the way we use the washer. If you have any more ideas, we
would love to hear them.
Thanks again.

wrote:

>hawgeye wrote:
>> "Al B" wrote...
>>> In a new custom-built home, the 3,000 sq ft ground floor is supported
>>> by an 8-course block foundation and TJI's over a crawl space. The
>>> laundry room and clothes washer is located in an area resting on an
>>> 18' TJI span supported on the foundation at each end.
>>>
>>> On the clothes washer's slowest spin cycle, vibration radiates out to
>>> 15' enough to loosen drywall screws and cause moldings to separate at
>>> seams.
>>
>> It does all that damage and the washing machine doesn't dance across the
>> floor?
>>
>>> To damp the vibration, we braced one of the two TJI's right under the
>>> washer with a 4x4. There is some improvement but not enough. We are
>>> looking for more ideas as to what can be done.
>>>
>>> Should we try installing additional bracing under the TJI's in the
>>> location of the washer: more 4x4's, several permanent jacks, concrete
>>> block columns, etc.?
>>
>> For some reason, I don't think it's a structural problem. Sounds more like
>> the washing machine is out of balance. Check the level on the machine, try
>> running an empty load with just water. It could be that who ever is doing
>> laundry is overloading it or not distributing the clothes evenly.
>>
>>
>
>It also could be that it's a new machine. They often have shipping
>straps that need to be cut or screws that need to be removed so the drum
>can move around. Maybe that step got missed...

Posted by Al B on December 18, 2006, 8:38 am
Hawgeye, thank you for replying. Here is some additional information.

Additional information: The washer is a Whirlpool Gold Catalyst
Three-Speed Electronic Washer Model No. GSX9885JQ1, Serial No.
CP4602130 installed in April 2003. The vibration problem was obvious
immediately and the dealer returned to check the installation and the
leveling. He said it was installed and levelled properly. Then we
had a Whirlpool service call and the technician said the machine was
operating properly.

We have run water only, loads of all types at all water levels, over
31 months and we have the problems with every load every time.

On Sun, 17 Dec 2006 17:39:03 -0600, "hawgeye"

>
>"Al B" wrote...
>> In a new custom-built home, the 3,000 sq ft ground floor is supported
>> by an 8-course block foundation and TJI's over a crawl space. The
>> laundry room and clothes washer is located in an area resting on an
>> 18' TJI span supported on the foundation at each end.
>>
>> On the clothes washer's slowest spin cycle, vibration radiates out to
>> 15' enough to loosen drywall screws and cause moldings to separate at
>> seams.
>
>It does all that damage and the washing machine doesn't dance across the
>floor?
>
>> To damp the vibration, we braced one of the two TJI's right under the
>> washer with a 4x4. There is some improvement but not enough. We are
>> looking for more ideas as to what can be done.
>>
>> Should we try installing additional bracing under the TJI's in the
>> location of the washer: more 4x4's, several permanent jacks, concrete
>> block columns, etc.?
>
>For some reason, I don't think it's a structural problem. Sounds more like
>the washing machine is out of balance. Check the level on the machine, try
>running an empty load with just water. It could be that who ever is doing
>laundry is overloading it or not distributing the clothes evenly.
>

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