While removing a pedestal from your washer or dryer might seem a little daunting, with some preparation and assistance, it can be accomplished safely and efficiently. Whether you’re moving your appliances, replacing your old pedestals, or simply need to access the underside of your machines for maintenance, correctly removing the pedestals is the only way to avoid damaging or destroying them.
Preparation and Safety Considerations
Before you can remove the pedestals, you want to prepare your work area and use some safety precautions. Washers and dryers are extremely heavy, so to avoid injuring yourself or damaging the washer or dryer you must be careful when removing the pedestal.
First things first, unplug your washer and dryer from the wall. Once they are unplugged you want to turn off both the hot and cold water to your washer. Before removing the fill hoses, you want to slowly loosen them from the back of the machine to relieve any pressure. After removing the hose, set them into a bucket so they can drain. Clean up any spilled water with a towel. If your washer has a drain hose connected to a standpipe or laundry tub, remove it and drain any water left in the hose.
Move the appliances away from the wall to create enough space for you to easily move around as you are working. You also want to leave enough space to lay the appliances on their sides, if needed.
IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING: Due to the weight of these appliances, removing the pedestal is not a one-person job. Always use two or more people to move your appliances and remove the pedestals to prevent back injuries or other physical harm.
Removing a Washer Pedestal
To remove a pedestal from a washing machine follow the steps below.
- Empty the pedestal drawer, making sure that you remove all contents.
- With the help of another person, carefully place the washing machine on its back.
- If the washer has transport bolts, check to see that they are in place before laying the machine down. This small step helps you avoid possible damage to the washer.
- Using a 1/4″ nut driver, locate and remove the hex-head screws that attach the pedestal to the base of the washer.
- Once all of the screws are removed, separate the pedestal from the washer.
- With another person’s help, return the washer to its upright position.
Removing a Dryer Pedestal
Removing a dryer pedestal is similar to removing it from the washer, but there are a few slight differences.
- Like with your washer, you want to empty everything out of the pedestal drawer.
- With somebody’s help, lay the dryer on its back on a drawer divider or other protective surface to prevent any damage.
- Using a small flat head screwdriver, you need to remove any hole plugs located in the bottom of the dryer front panel to access the mounting screws.
- Locate and remove the hex-head sheet metal screws that secure the dryer to the pedestal brackets.
- Once all the screws are removed, separate the dryer from the pedestal.
- With help, return the dryer to its upright position.
Pedestal Drawer Removal
Sometimes, you might only need to remove the drawer portion of the pedestal rather than the entire thing. For both washers and dryers, this is a much easier process.
- Open the pedestal drawer as far as you possibly can.
- Using a 1/4″ nut driver, remove the hex-head screws from both of the drawer slides.
- Take the drawer off of the slides and set it aside.
- Push the slides back into the pedestal frame.
Most people take the drawer out when they need to access the interior of the pedestal for cleaning or maintenance that doesn’t require removing the entire pedestal.
After Pedestal Removal
Once you remove the pedestals, you need to reinstall the leveling legs on your washer and dryer for proper operation. If you still have the original levelling legs that came with your washer and dryer, you can simply reinstall those. If you don’t have them, you will need to buy new ones.
For your washer and dryer to work properly and to prevent any excessive vibrations, you must make sure your appliances are level after reinstalling the legs. Using a level, you must adjust the levelling legs as needed until the appliance sits evenly on the floor.
When reconnecting your washer, always follow the installation instructions that came with your appliance. Reattach both water hoses, ensuring connections are tight, and reconnect the drain hose to the standpipe or laundry tub. For the dryer, reconnect any hoses or vents according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
By following these steps and working with a partner, you can safely remove pedestals from your washer and dryer when needed, allowing for maintenance, moving, or replacement of these convenient laundry accessories.
