Washing Machine 'Juddering On Spin Cycle - We Have Floating Floor!

[moggie 939]

We live in a modern 1st floor flat which has a 'floating floor' design as opposed to downstairs flats which have solid floors. Despite having various new washing machines they are all noisy when on spin and shake the whole kitchen! We have had them checked and this last one is the same but a different make - a digital Hoover Dynamic Next.
We use the lowest spin speed at 1000 but stillhave to hold it when it spins (this has always happened and have been told it is the floating floor ) all the time.

Our neighbour has a cheap non digital machine and that is MUCH quieter! Our machine has been set up correctly as regards the adjustments screws beneath the machine.

I could buy a more expensive machine but it might not help? Our machine judders on spin with different loads and is sometimes worse with light materials rather than towels. It says in the manual something about however it is set the machine automatically adjusts the load what ever that is!

Any ideas please. Thanks

Moggie

[barry1010]

These might help
Amazon.com User Recommendation?tag=outdoorgearup00-21&crid=7WZ1UHDUZ7DT&dchild=1&keywords=anti%20vibration%20pads%20for%20washing%20machine&qid=1629277431&sprefix=anti%20vibration%20,aps,161&sr=8-4&linkId=5ec90e0265d7057e588956617e07c85c&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&geniuslink=true

[davebro]

^^^^^ also could you put the machine on something more solid - I'm thinking like an off-cut of kitchen worktop or similar.

[moggie 939]

Thanks Barry - might be worth trying these from Amazon - nothing to lose!
Moggie

[Bazile]

What's a floating floor ?

[gingejbee]

^self-evident from the OP? Suspended floor rather than solid.

[gingejbee]

Two considerations about the Amazon user recommendation ...
If the washer is under a worktop, will these feet make it too high to fit under?
When fitted, will they make it difficult to move the machine should you need to?

[Bazile]

''A suspended floor is a ground floor with a void underneath the structure''

The op says they live in a first floor flat

[chelle7272]

//^self-evident from the OP? Suspended floor rather than solid.//
Clearly not self evident! A floating floor is not fixed, i.e not nailed or glued in place. Such as laminate that locks together.

[gingejbee]

^the OP also says that it's a "floating floor" rather than solid...to most people that would suggest that the floor was suspended on floorboards of some type with a space underneath?

[vulcan42]

Moggie, I have used those feet and they didn't help. I eventually discovered the cause but having had the same problem on all your machines, I don't think this is the fault you have. I discovered the damping down block was loose and after retightening it improved immensely. It might be worth checking just to eliminate it.

[Hopkirk]

The reviews of the Amazon feet say many people found them too tall, and just used the black parts. If you scroll down to what other people bought, there are noise deadening mats as well.

[moggie 939]

Yes Gingejbee and thank you
We are elderly and not DIY experts but it seems that under the carpet there are boards and under those are thick insulation and more fireboards and insulation I am told - quite a few layers and so well insulated that you can here nothing from the flat below. I called it a floating floor because that is what it says in our original flat brochure,
Moggie

[The Builder]

Most modern flats are built like this Maggie.
The floor is made of concrete beams with concrete blocks infilling between the beams to create a solid floor.
A thickness of insulating board is laid over the whole.
It's finished with floorboards (usually tongued & grooved chipboard.)
The chipboard is glued together at the joints.
The whole thing becomes one giant board that simply "floats" over the insulation.
It's not fixed down at all. That's a "floating floor."

I've never heard of any problems with washing machines on floating floors. I've put machines over them dozens of times.
Moggee, I would guess the problem is with the machine. You should never have to hold on to it while it spins.
Loads that are too small could result in an imbalance, or possibly the drum bearings are out of balance.

[moggie 939]

Thanks for that The Builder
I understand now! About the machine I could get out an engineer but it is about 3 yrs old and cost not a lot so maybe I will look for another one which is direct drive as I am told they are quieter overall.

Moggie

[saimeeraservice]

All front-load washing machines have shock absorbers that are used to dampen the tub movement in the spin cycle. When shock absorbers weaken or become damaged, unbalanced loads will cause the washer to shake or move and the machine will often make a loud banging sound during the spin cycle.

[moggie 939]

Thanks everyone. I will try a new machine I think as too expensive to call out for this one due to age.
I will try a direct drive machine as was suggested.
Moggie