DIY guideWashing machine
Level the washer and check its drain hose and standpipe
A washer that rocks walks and wears out, and a loose drain hose floods. Level it with its feet, then make sure the hose is held in the standpipe and it drains.
- 20 to 40 min
- 7 steps
- Every step animated
7 steps
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Set a level across the top, side to side and then front to back. A bubble off the middle means a foot needs turning.
Press down on each corner in turn. If it rocks, a foot isn't touching the floor.
With a helper tipping it back a little, loosen a front foot's lock nut and screw the foot down or up.
Unplug it first, and tip it with a helper.Check the level again, then tighten each lock nut up against the washer so the foot can't turn.
Behind it, the drain hose should hook into the standpipe a little way and be strapped there, never sealed in tight.
Run a rinse and spin and watch the standpipe. Water should go down without backing up or spilling.
Water backing up out of the standpipe, a wet floor behind the washer, or shaking that won't stop: ask Handyman for a plumber or an appliance pro.
What you need
- A level
- An adjustable wrench
- A helper
- A strap or tie for the hose
Call a pro if
- Water backs up out of the standpipe
- The floor behind the washer is wet
- It still shakes hard when level
Handyman says: Backs up? I'll find a plumber.
Free for every home. Handyman asks a few questions, then books a pro it trusts.
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