Our home appliances make day-to-day life easier, but they can sometimes cause day-to-day distractions, too. Noisy appliances can be disruptive and, in some cases, cause unnecessary damage to your home or the appliance itself.
Catching and addressing appliance noises early is key for both your comfort and your pocketbook. Here are five straightforward steps to reduce appliance noise and keep your home running smoothly.
Level Up
Appliances that vibrate (even if only slightly) during operation can easily cause excess noise if they are not kept level. This list typically includes:
- Washing machines
- Dryers
- Dishwashers
- Refrigerators
When one or more corners of these appliances don’t meet the floor exactly, the whole machine can bounce up and down during operation, potentially causing a loud rattling or thumping sound.
The good news: these machines are typically supported by adjustable “feet” that can slightly raise or lower each corner. Using a carpenter’s level to assess your progress, you can adjust each foot so that it makes solid contact with the floor and brings the appliance to a level standing.
Give Them Some Space
Just as an unbalanced appliance can bounce against the floor, an appliance that’s too close to the wall can bang against that surface too. If your appliances, especially ones that vibrate, like washers or dryers, are flush against the wall, try pulling them out. This small change will protect your wall and help keep your appliances nice and quiet.
In some cases, even if an appliance isn’t touching the wall, it may be too close to allow for adequate ventilation. Poor ventilation can cause overheating. If an appliance has to work harder to keep the motor and mechanisms at a safe temperature, you may hear buzzing, droning, or humming. Pulling appliances away from walls can help reduce this noise and improve appliance performance.
Insulate as Needed
If you have built-in appliances, you may not be able to adjust wall clearance once they are installed. If this is the case, consider insulating these appliances to create a buffer between the machines and any walls, cabinets, or countertops.
Even a small layer of insulation can help prevent noise. In general, an insulated appliance is a quiet appliance.
Reduce Vibrations
If you’ve leveled, shifted, and/or insulated your appliances and you’re still having noise issues, you may want to consider vibration pads. Usually made of dense foam, rubber, or polymer, these small pads fit under appliance feet and dampen vibration-induced sound.
Vibration pads can be especially helpful when you’re having trouble leveling your appliance, whether due to an off-kilter floor or limited access to all the feet. Any buffer between hard surfaces will help reduce sound.
Keep Them Clean
Dust and debris are other culprits that can cause loud operation. Over time, most appliances collect some debris, whether it’s excess lint in a dryer vent or dust on refrigerator coils. Even if you can’t see it directly, this debris can significantly impact your appliance, causing it to work harder.
Excessive effort can cause motors and fans to run more—and louder—which can also cause moving parts, such as belts and bearings, to wear out more quickly. Both of these issues can lead to extra appliance noise, such as unusual buzzing, humming, clanking, or rattling.
Regularly cleaning your appliances can help prevent these issues. Your appliances will work better—and more quietly—the better you care for them.
If you need help addressing appliance noise in Morris County or the area, call Morris County Appliance Repair today. We are experts in appliance installation, service, and repair. With over 50 years of combined experience, we’re well-versed in troubleshooting appliance noises. We’re committed to building positive relationships with our customers, and client satisfaction is always our goal. Morris County Appliance Repair—You Can Count On Us!
