It’s no secret that your washing machine puts a lot of stress on the floor. Between the vibration and the wetness, it’s essential to take some precautions to protect your investment, as failure to do so could result in costly repairs down the road. So, how do you protect the floor under your washing machine?
You can protect it by using a rubber mat or furniture pads and cleaning up spills immediately. These approaches minimize the impact of vibrations from the machine to the floor. They also prevent moisture accumulation on the floor due to water spills.
In the rest of this article, I’ll take you through the different ways to protect the floor under your washing machine. These simple tactics will ensure the floor under your washer remains as safe as possible. Keep reading!
Use a Rubber Mat
Vibrations are the primary way washing machines damage the floor underneath them.
Washing machines agitate clothes by shaking them back and forth while spinning at hundreds of revolutions per second (Most washers attain 400 RPM).
The intense machine agitation creates vibrations that sometimes make the washer dance its way across the floor. These vibrations can damage your floor’s surface by:
- Loosening tiles
- Cracking the grout
- Loosening the adhesive that holds down floorboards
A rubber mat is an effective way to protect your floor from these vibrations. The mats are designed to absorb vibrations created by washing machines and prevent them from damaging your floor.
Rubber mats also prevent the washer from dancing its way through your floor by:
- Increasing the amount of friction between the washer and floor
- Decreasing the washer’s surface area in contact with the floor
You can find rubber mats at most home improvement stores. They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to install. Simply place the mat under your washing machine, and you’re good!
However, if you choose to use a rubber mat, you should check it regularly and empty it when necessary.
Use Furniture Pads
If you have a washer and dryer on pedestals, you can use furniture pads to protect your floor from vibrations and scratches.
Furniture pads are small, round discs that you place under the legs of furniture. They’re made of soft materials like felt or cork that absorb vibrations and prevent them from damaging your floor.
The washing machine can scratch your wooden or tiled floor as it vibrates and creates slight movements. Wooden floors with scratches are unsightly and can be challenging to repair. Using furniture pads will keep your floor safe and secure from such occurrences.
Furniture pads also make it easier to move the washer around when you need to clean behind it. Simply lift the washer and place furniture pads under the legs. This will prevent it from scratching your floor as you move.
Clean Up Spills Immediately
Water is one of the biggest enemies of your floors; it can cause warping, staining, and mold growth.
It’s essential to clean up the water immediately when your washing machine overflows or leaks. You can use a mop or towel to soak up any water on the floor. Furthermore, you should try to dry the area as much as possible to prevent further damage.
The leading causes of water leaks from washing machines include:
- A punctured or loose drain hose
- A fault with the drain pump
- A worn-out tub-to-pump hose
When these leaks happen, water saturates the floor, loosening it with time to cause water damage. Moreover, the high moisture content creates a conducive environment for molds. Therefore, cleaning these spills as soon as they happen is crucial in preventing damage to your floor.
You can avoid such problems by regularly inspecting your washing machine for leaks and replacing worn-out parts.
Use a Sealant for Tiled Floors
Tiled floors can be loosened or scratched by a vibrating washing machine.
A sealant is a clear or tinted film that you apply to the surface of your tiled floor. It fills in the tiny pores and cracks on the tile’s surface, making the tile firmer. The sealant also creates a barrier against water and dirt.
Sealants are available in different finishes, including glossy, matte, and textured. Therefore, you should choose a finish that compliments your floor’s look.
Applying a sealant to your tiled floor is a simple process you can do yourself. Here’s the equipment you’ll need and the procedure on how to do it:
Equipment
- A sealer
- A sponge brush
- A corner roller
- A throw-away container
- A clean white towel
Procedure
- Vacuum the floor to remove any dirt and debris.
- Open the sealer and pour it into the throw-away container.
- Dip the sponge brush into the sealer and apply it to tile joints and cracks. Work in small sections to prevent the sealer from drying before you’re done.
- Use the corner roller to apply the sealer to tight corners and areas around obstacles.
- Allow the sealer to settle for about five minutes.
- Wipe any excess sealer off the tiles with a clean white towel.
- Allow the sealer to dry completely before walking on the floor.
You can apply a new coat of sealer every few years to maintain the protective barrier.
Here is a helpful YouTube video that demonstrates this process:
Install a Washing Pan
A washing pan (drain pan for washer) is a plastic or metal tray placed under washing machines to catch leaks and spills. It’s an effective way to protect your floor from water damage caused by leaks and overflows.
When choosing a pan, consider a metal pan, as they’re preferred for quality and durability.
Additionally, washing pans are available in different sizes, so choose one that fits your washing machine’s dimensions.
Here is the right way to install a washing pan to prevent water from overflowing from the machine, and the equipment you’ll need:
Equipment
- Titanium step bit for drilling
- Silicone sealant
- Stanley tape measure
Procedure
- Use a tape measure to measure and mark where you want to drill a hole in the pan to connect the drain tube.
- Drill a hole at the location you marked.
- Seal underneath the drain tube using silicone sealant.
- Connect the drain tube through the hole in the washing pan.
- Apply a sealant to ensure the pan fits into the drain tube well.
- Place the washing machine on the installed pan.
Check out the YouTube video below for a demonstration of this process:
You can also find washing pans with built-in drain hoses to make installation easier. Although these pans are more expensive than the standard ones, they’re worth the investment if you want to protect your floor from leaks and spills.
Use Rugs or Carpets in High-Traffic Areas
You should consider using rugs or carpets to protect your floor if you have a washing machine in a high-traffic area. Rugs and carpets absorb impact and noise, making them ideal for high-traffic areas.
High impacts can destabilize washing machines, causing intense vibrations. Such vibrations can be catastrophic for your floor.
Carpets also protect your floor from scratches, scuffs, and stains. However, you should choose a durable and easy-to-clean mat or rug to make its maintenance easier.
You can find rugs and carpets in different materials, including:
- Wool
- Nylon
- Polyester
- Cotton
I recommend cotton, as it’s the best material due to its high absorbance rate.
Other considerations to keep the floor under your washing machine safe include:
- Keeping the washing machine level: An unbalanced washing machine can cause intense vibrations that will damage your floor.
- Checking the hoses regularly: Worn or damaged hoses can cause leaks that will damage the floor.
- Clean the area around the washing machine regularly: Dirt and debris can build up and stain your floor.
Conclusion
A washing machine can damage the floor underneath in two ways: vibrations and water leaks. Therefore, using a rubber mat is the best way to protect the floor under your washing machine, as it absorbs most of the vibrations and prevents water from reaching the floor.
However, using furniture pads, sealant (for tiled floors), and rugs or carpet are also great options. Whichever option you choose, it’s essential to remember to always clean up any spills immediately.
