The Importance of Balanced Appliances

Having all of your appliances properly balanced may solve some problems you have had with your machine and will save on wear and tear if you haven't noticed anything odd yet.  Before checking any of your machines it would be best to first dig out the user manuals to read over the steps on how to balance them and information on any maintenance that should be performed. Finally before doing anything with your machines turn them off and turn off the breakers as well, safety first!


Refrigerators need to be balanced to regulate temperature properly, keep their doors and shelves properly aligned and without stress, and to allow moisture to evaporate properly.  If you are noticing that your doors are not staying closed or small amounts of moisture around your fridge about once a week you may have a balancing issue.  Consult your user manual and adjust the leveling screws until it is even.

Washing Machines move around a lot when they are running a load to clean everything properly.  If the washer is unbalanced you may end up with damage to the drum and possibly even to your home if it is very unbalanced.  To balance your washer properly you will need to adjust the leveling screws but first check to ensure that your intake and drain hoses have slack so you can pull the machine out a little, if they have no slack you may damage the hoses and have a much larger problem than you did before. Check your user manual to see how many leveling screws you have and how to adjust them.

Drying Machines move around a lot less than washing machines but you still need to take some care with them, particularly if your dryer is stacked on top of the washer.  It's possible your washer balance problem is being caused by your dryer. If your unit is a combo machine where the dryer is actually part of the washer you will need to balance the whole unit carefully and you may want a friend to help as it will weigh more than a single unit.

Dishwashers can also be imbalanced but you normally won't notice unless you develop a leak. Try to check the cupboards surrounding your dishwasher and the floor near it frequently to ensure there is no water damage.  Some dishwashers should actually be tilted slightly back instead of completely flat and even, consult your user manual for exact measurements and adjust the leveling screws appropriately.

Lost your user manual?  Find your model number and search online for it; ignore sites that ask for payment as you can find nearly any manual with enough searching. If you cannot find it online try calling the manufacturer and see if they can mail or email you a new copy, they will likely charge for this service however.