The correct operation of the washing machine largely depends on how it is installed. It is important to position it not only comfortably, but also without slopes or distortions. In this article we will look in detail at how to install a washing machine smoothly yourself, without calling a technician. First of all, you need to choose a place where the SM will stand. In order not to make a mistake in the correct location, you should analyze all possible options.
Installation features and location selection
The most suitable place to install a washing machine in the house is a separate room (laundry room). Not only the washing machine itself is placed here, but also a dryer, baskets for dirty and clean laundry, an ironing board, an iron and household chemicals.
However, for most Russians, a separate laundry room in an apartment is a luxury, and the unit is placed where there is space. Where to place the washing machine so that it is convenient to use and has a long service life?
The kitchen is the next best place. Why? The answer is simple. Installing the unit in the bathroom condemns it to work in conditions of high humidity, which leads to breakdowns and failure of the machine’s electronics.
Attention. Excessive humidity reduces the service life of the device by an average of 1.5 times.
The steam generated in the bathroom when washing with hot water is especially harmful to the car. It condenses on electronic components, causing short circuits.
If your device is installed in a bathroom, do not turn it on in high humidity. First, let any condensation that has formed dry. It is also necessary to protect the device from direct moisture, for example, with a cover.
When installing the machine in the kitchen, give preference to a place in close proximity to the kitchen sink. This will simplify the connection to communications for draining and collecting water and reduce the likelihood of leaks.
If it is not possible to place it next to the sink, you will have to additionally purchase connecting hoses for extension and decide how to hide them so that they do not spoil the look of the kitchen.
How to level a washing machine and adjust the legs
The correct operation of the washing machine largely depends on how it is installed. It is important to position it not only comfortably, but also without slopes or distortions. In this article we will look in detail at how to install a washing machine smoothly yourself, without calling a technician. First of all, you need to choose a place where the SM will stand. In order not to make a mistake in the correct location, you should analyze all possible options.
Preparatory stage
This stage is divided into preparing the machine itself for installation and preparing the selected location.
Preparing the device
If the car is new and just brought from the store, then first of all you need to unpack it. If the packaging is damaged, this may indicate damage to the machine itself.
Advice. When unpacking, try to remove the box undamaged. Subsequently, if a return is required, damage to the packaging may be grounds for refusal of a replacement. The packaging is stored during the entire warranty period.
After removing the packaging, the equipment is inspected for defects. Carefully check the completeness, checking the list in the passport.
After this, remove the bolts and fasteners installed for safe transportation. These parts are needed to secure the drum during transportation.
Important. Be sure to remove shipping fasteners before installation. If this is not done, the device will quickly fail. Moreover, the manufacturer's warranty will not apply in this case.
The location of the fasteners is indicated in the instructions. The holes for the transport bolts are usually closed with special plugs. Bolts are stored for the life of the equipment. They are reinstalled if the device needs to be transported.
Preparing the site
The main requirements for the surface at the location are strength and strictly horizontal location of the machine.
During operation, the device is constantly exposed to vibration from the centrifuge. Therefore, a surface that is not sufficiently rigid and strong will quickly wear out, creating a misalignment.
Preparation of engineering systems
To connect the washing machine you need the following communications:
- Water pipes . In order to save money, it is better to provide a supply of both cold and hot water to the machine. If this is not possible, then only cold water is connected. At the same time, the amount of electricity consumed to heat the water in the device increases. The most convenient place to connect to the water supply is under the sink in the kitchen or under the sink in the bathroom. If you organize the water supply through a filter, this will increase the life of the machine.
- Drain . During washing, the unit changes the water several times. Dirty water is drained into the sewer. The drain hose is connected to the sewer system using special connectors. Any washing machine is also equipped with a special hose, the end of which can simply be placed in the bathtub.
- Electricity supply. When placed in a bathroom, it is necessary to make special wiring to install an outlet for the machine. It is placed above the device to prevent water from entering. Using an extension cord in the bathroom is prohibited as it creates dangerous operating conditions. The outlet installed in the bathroom must be grounded.
First wash
At the end of the work on connecting the washing machine to the communications, you need to carry out a washing cycle without laundry. This procedure serves several purposes:
- Checking the functionality of the washing machine.
- Checking connections for leaks, both the washing unit itself and the connections made to communications.
- Cleaning the tank and drum of the machine from stagnant water (equipment is tested for leaks in the factory), possible dirt and lubricant residues.
- Check the unit for possible vibrations.
Many washing machine models are equipped with a special service program recommended for the first start-up of the machine. Different manufacturers have different names for it: “Auto-cleaning”, “Drum cleaning”, etc., but the essence remains the same: launching the program initiates the self-cleaning procedure for the internal cavities of the washing machine.
For the cleaning service program to work, about 10% of the required amount of detergent will be required. It must be loaded into the receiving tray before starting the program.
To activate the program, you need to refer to the operating instructions, which indicate how to launch it (usually by pressing a certain combination of buttons on the front panel for several seconds) and give recommendations on the frequency of using the mode during normal operation.
If the instructions do not mention a special washing program, then you need to run the machine in normal mode, usually the “Cotton” mode. The washing temperature is set to 60 °C, the spin speed is 600-800 rpm.
As you can see, connecting a washing machine to communications is not a difficult task in itself, but it has a large number of nuances, the observance of which will allow the washing machine to serve faithfully for many years.
Important external factors
When installing and connecting the device yourself, external factors such as the floor covering at the installation site and air temperature are taken into account.
Flooring
As mentioned above, the surface where the machine is placed must be durable.
We list the main types of floor coverings and their advantages and disadvantages from the point of view of installing a washing machine.
Tree
Not the best basis for installing the device. Firstly, wooden flooring is rarely perfectly level, secondly, it “plays” under load and, thirdly, it deteriorates when exposed to moisture.
If you still have to install the machine on a wooden floor, then it must first be strengthened to reduce vibration. A washing device with a depth of at least 45 cm is installed on the tree.
Laminate
Laminate flooring, like parquet boards, is laid on a waterproofing or soundproofing base. Such a substrate is elastic and will cause vibration of the floor covering during operation of the unit. In addition, parquet and laminate deteriorate when exposed to water.
Linoleum
Installing a washing machine on a wooden floor covered with linoleum is the least preferable option. It contains all the disadvantages: softness, slippery surface, hidden floor irregularities. When installing the device on such a surface, choose only a full-sized unit with a depth of 60 cm.
Ceramic tile
A ceramic tile floor is a good base for a washing machine. It is smooth, durable and well dampens vibration from a running drum.
The only drawback of this coating is its smoothness. During operation, the machine may slide on such a floor and shift. A special rubber mat or pads under the machine’s feet will help solve this problem. You can purchase such accessories at a hardware store.
Concrete
Concrete is perhaps the best option for installing a washing machine. It is hard, smooth and not at all slippery. A device of any depth is installed on such a coating.
Ambient temperature
Another important external factor is the air temperature where the machine is installed. It should not be below +10°C. You should not choose a place such as an unheated garage, loggia or veranda for the device. The problem is the lack of ventilation in such rooms and low temperatures in winter.
During operation, the washing machine generates heat. If the room is cold, moisture condenses on the inside of the machine, damaging the electronic components. Condensation also causes the appearance of black fungus and rust.
Why is it important to install the automatic machine level?
If the washing machine is installed incorrectly, then you can expect a lot of troubles during its operation. At best, expect increased noise and vibration, as well as “bouncing” of the SM, especially during spinning; at worst, wear of internal parts. Because due to strong vibrations, the internal parts of the SMA will begin to actively come into contact with each other or with the walls of the case and eventually fail. Then repairs, which are often expensive, are inevitable.
Therefore, before neglecting the rules for installing your automatic machine, think carefully about how prepared you are for extra cash costs due to your own irresponsibility.
Correct installation of the SMA requires specific actions. If you are not confident in your abilities, then it is better to entrust the installation procedure to a specialist. Then you can certainly be absolutely calm about your technology. However, if you carefully approach the task, having first studied the instructions and read our recommendations, you can handle the installation yourself.
We will tell you how to adjust the equipment and check its stability in the next section.
Level adjustment of legs
The drum of the machine, rotating even at low speed, creates vibration. If the laundry is unevenly distributed, it becomes stronger. Vibration is dangerous because it wears out machine parts faster. How to install a washing machine so it doesn't jump? The answer is simple - align the legs.
Attention. Adjusting the legs in height will reduce vibration and give the device stability.
To begin with, by adjusting the height of the legs, the machine is brought into a stable state (so that it does not swing) . After this, take a building level and install it parallel to the front wall. The front legs are adjusted so that the air bubble is exactly in the middle.
Then the level is alternately moved to the side walls of the machine and the rear legs are adjusted. The end result of the work should be a position where the body of the machine is stable, and the level shows a strictly horizontal position both in front and on the sides.
Installation without level
If you don’t have a building level, you can use a glass or saucer of water instead. Place the dishes with water on the top lid of the washing machine and adjust the legs so that the water in the glass or saucer is at the same distance from the edge of the dish.
How to level a washing machine
Correct installation of the washing machine is no less important than its proper operation. Its further operation will depend on how responsibly you approached the equipment installation procedure. Therefore, the first thing you should worry about after purchasing is how to level the washing machine. In order for the machine to serve for a long time and properly, and not jump on the floor during washing, it is not enough to simply tighten the legs on the washing machine. You should prepare for the installation process in advance and start from the place designated for the permanent deployment of the equipment. How to correctly set the SMA, how to level it in order to avoid unpleasant situations during operation, read below.
Another reason for strong vibration
It happens that strong vibration is caused by unevenness of the supporting surface, which cannot be corrected. Or, after operating the machine for a long time, local wear has occurred on the supporting surface under the legs. As a result, the device becomes unbalanced during operation and the machine begins to jump and shake.
If adjusting the feet does not solve the problem, you can use an anti-vibration stand. It will reduce vibration and noise levels, and also prevent further damage to the flooring. This stand is made of polymer material and comes in different shapes and sizes. You can buy it at hardware stores.
Common errors during connection and operation
We list the common mistakes made during installation and subsequent operation of a washing machine.
Incorrect installation of the drain hose
The end of the drain hose is installed at a certain height. The recommended height for each model is indicated in the instructions for the device. The general principle is that the highest point of installation of the hose should be slightly higher than the maximum water level in the machine tank.
Incorrect installation results in water leakage from the tank, a reverse siphon effect, and an unpleasant odor in the machine.
Network connection errors
A typical mistake is the use of non-standard electrical wiring (insufficient wire cross-section, single-layer insulation). This leads to overheating of electrical wiring, melting of insulation, short circuits, and electric shock.
Important. Improper connection of the device to the electrical network is not only dangerous to life and health, but can also cause malfunctions in the machine.
If the room was not originally designed for the installation of a washing machine, then the power supply is carried out using an individual (three-core) cable of the appropriate cross-section. The cable leads from the distribution panel with the installation of automatic switches rated for a current of at least 16 A.
Attention. The use of faulty or low-quality two-wire sockets and extension cords is unacceptable.
Incorrect water connection
The machine is connected to the water supply through autonomous taps located in an accessible place for operation. This makes it possible to quickly turn off the water if necessary.
Use of highly foaming powders
Excess foam fills the internal cavities of the machine, leading to malfunctions and breakdowns in the operation of electronic components.
Entry of foreign objects
Foreign objects falling into the machine along with laundry cause serious damage to internal parts, including engine failure. Therefore, before loading the laundry, carefully check it and remove all foreign objects from the pockets, as well as loose buttons and fasteners.
Incorrect switching of operating modes
The mode change is set after turning off the power and in a clockwise direction. Failure to comply with this requirement leads to damage to the control apparatus of the washing machine.
Failure to comply with loading standards
Overloading the machine and rolling the laundry into a lump causes increased vibration and rapid wear of the equipment. If a problem occurs, the machine is turned off, the laundry is redistributed and started again.
In addition, it is not recommended to leave machines that are more than 4-5 years old unattended and turned on. The likelihood of breakdowns and leaks at this “age” is very high.
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How to wash kitchen towels without boiling at home.
