Bouncy floor in pantry / washing machine

As title says. Pantry is a very small room, 2m joist span. 2x4" at 400 centers.

No rot or wood worm, bone dry. 1920s house.

When the washing machine is on, the fridge shakes as the floor in bouncy. Jumping up and down gives the same effect.

Elsewhere in the house, for larger rooms, instead of a dwarf walls for midspan supports, a layer of cement, a brick, some felt and a 2x4 running at right angles has been placed on the ground

E.g.



Is the same thing a good approach, or, would noggins be better?

My gut says the former...

If so, any suggestions or tips? I'd assume

1) whack a bed of mortar on the floor
2) bed down a brick
3) add a dpc/slate
3) lay a 2x4 at right angles

Or instead of a beam at right angles, how about, how about a number of props? So vertical 2x4 wedged underneath?

It's got to withstand a washing machine on spin, so, maybe the beam..

Advice appreciated

Or maybe just stand your washing machine on thick rubber matting - the sort they sell for workshops (to reduce leg strain when working in concrete flooring) and milking parlours

You can make the floor as stiff as you like, then all that will happen is the vibration will be transmitted into the building (and be heard by yourself and possibly yor neighbours, if semi-detached) or you can isolate the vibration from the building, like we do with raised access acoustic flooring

Good point about isolating the machine.

I think maybe both approaches?

The bounce when the machine is on the final spin, is pronounced - everything in the fridge gets a good shake and you can hear condiment jars clinking together. Although the final spin is only usually 5 mins, the cacophony can be heard in other rooms.

What would you suggest to stiffen? A support beam, stilts or noggins? Or a combination?

Then a rubber mat.

And perhaps a better washing machine... It's cheap £300 jobby. I was eyeing up one that, apparently, is quieter than the noise of the sea breaking. I hope they mean on a calm day... Not sure the wife will accept a trip to the pantry instead of the beach

A better washing machine! Ours (a Bosch) seems to go through a bit of a dance to balance out the load before it spins

JobAndKnock said:

Ours (a Bosch)

Click to expand...

It's the Bosch I'm considering...

Also, thank you for the rubber mat suggestion. Picked one up today and a load of washing just finished. Washing machine was bouncing like a teenager at a disco, but, the fridge was silent. Still moving but nowhere near as ferocious.