sound insulation beneath washing machines in flats

[riaalvarez]

I have just bought a top floor flat. The people below me say they are really affected by the rumbing of the washing machine on a laminate flooring in the kitchen. The machine sits under a worktop.There is some 'give'. One rubber company suggested a product called plastico which is 25mm thick under the machine. It may be difficult to get in and it costs £38 per sheet. Any olther tips or suggestions for reducing the noise of the machine on the floor?

 

[AdamW]

Some ideas

1) Check the feet are properly adjusted, so the washing machine can't rock back and forth.

2) Make sure you aren't overloading it, an overloaded washing machine is VERY noisy. You should be able to see the drum at the back, i.e. don't stuff it full!

3) Set the washing machine to go during the day when everyone is at work, thus avoiding bothering anyone

4) Try getting a carpet tile, cutting it into four and putting these pieces underneath the feet. It is a cheap material (free if you know someone/somewhere with some spares: if you or your partner/friend/family member work in an office ask the maintenance guys). And it may work, but if it doesn't you haven't lost much.

5) Felt. Get hold of some thick felt, or thin felt in several layers. You can often buy it to stick to furniture legs so they don't scratch laminate.

Would you be able to fit 25mm of rubber underneath your machine? Might be worth measuring how much clearance you have at the top to make sure.