I bought a Maytag commercial grade washing machine from a large local dealer. I wanted something that would wash well and last for years so I went with this unit. After I had it delivered and set up, I noticed that the washing machine started moving a short time later that caused it to go out of level. At the time I was dealing with a family member’s illness and running back and forth to the hospital and then a rehabilitation facility so I improvised the best I could with a temporary fix. Under one of the appliance feet, I stuck a paint stick for a slight adjustment for leveling to keep it in balance until I could have it fixed.
Reaching out to the manufacturer was tough. Maytag is owned by Whirlpool and the machine has a five-year warranty with parts and labor and 10 years on the transmission so I figured I would call the company and at least check if it was covered. The rep I got gave me a vague response they would send a technician to look at it and if the technician deemed it wasn’t covered they would then charge me even if I didn’t have them do a thing. She couldn’t tell me if it was covered or not. I would have used some other repair service if it wasn’t. I figured it was just out of level.
After talking to the dealer they sent someone out at no charge. This was great! But they merely leveled the machine. They didn’t complete the job though. Maytag had a video and even YouTube has lots of videos on leveling washing machines. Furthermore, the installation guide for the machine tells you how to do it. My machine has metal leveling feet. The shaft of the foot is threaded and they have a nut that when you get the machine is at the bottom near the foot. I told the dealer’s installer that you have to raise that locking nut up to the top. However, the installer told me this is not how they level the machines. Despite what I told him about the company’s video about properly leveling it, he was adamant that it was the wrong way to do it. And they did level it and it appeared balanced when he checked it with his level. It just wasn’t going to stay that way.
My guy could have done this himself but it’s awkward and we paid for installation anyway. So they left and I watched the videos again. Then I called the manufacturer again and they told me I was right. In fact, the dealer that fixed this would have been one of the companies that the manufacturer would have sent and would have fixed it wrong anyway! So this time the manufacturer called the dealer directly and the dealer called me back.
The dealer was supposed to send a senior technician for this task of leveling the appliance feet. But I think this was just another installer and he wanted to do the same thing! I said no! I had him take off the foot and showed him he needed to raise that locking nut to be up snug against the machine’s base. He did that and hopefully this stays in level.
I need to get a small magnetic level and some wrenches. I feel I am becoming an expert. But leveling appliances is important as they won’t function correctly otherwise. Many machines come with plastic feet and I looked at those in my research and I didn’t see any locking nut.
Nonetheless, check the installation guide after you get a new major appliance about the exact procedure for leveling the machine’s feet. After all, your machine could appear level when it may not be. Being more informed about how your machine should be leveled can save you headaches as well as prolong the life of your washer in the future. It is also a good idea to download all these manuals and store them on your computer where you can find them. Yes, they give you books with the machine but it’s a lot easier to have it on the computer. It’s easier to find!
You also may want to read my post on ways to conserve energy in the laundry and another on laundry room organization.
