How to Install a Washer Pedestal

Washer pedestals raise the door of your front-loading washing machine to a comfortable height while adding storage to your laundry room. Many appliance manufacturers sell pedestals specifically made for their brands of washers. Although installations can vary among the different manufacturers, washer pedestals are generally installed the same way. It is necessary to have someone assist you when installing a pedestal, because the weight of the washer makes moving it awkward and difficult.

Step 1

Disconnect the washing machine's power cord from the wall outlet and turn off the water supply at the spigots.

Step 2

Pull the washer away from the wall. Disconnect the two water supply hoses from the back of the machine. Use a pair of pliers, if necessary, to loosen the hose connections until you can turn them by hand.

Step 3

Lay a sheet or towels flat on the floor. Tip the washer onto its left side with a friend's help. Lower the machine gently on top of the sheet or towels. Tipping the washer onto its left side prevents loss of transmission fluid.

Step 4

Examine the top of the pedestal to determine whether you can keep the feet on the washer. Some pedestals have slots large enough for the washer feet, but most generic pedestals do not. Remove the feet from your washer if necessary. Turn each foot's lock nut counterclockwise with your wrench to remove the foot.

Step 5

Pull the drawer out of the pedestal.

Step 6

Place the top of the pedestal on the bottom of the washing machine, with the drawer cavity opening facing the front of the machine. Line up the holes on the pedestal with the holes for the washer feet, if you removed the feet from the bottom of the washer. If your pedestal allows the feet to stay on, slide the feet into the matching holes on the pedestal.

Step 7

Thread the pedestal securing bolts through the pedestal and into the bottom of the washer. Tighten with the wrench. If your pedestal allows the feet to stay on the washer, tighten the feet to secure the pedestal.

Step 8

Stand the washer upright with the assistance of your helper. Position the washer close to its working location.

Step 9

Place a 4-foot level across the top of the washer to check whether it's level.

Step 10

Adjust the feet of the pedestal as necessary to level the washer. Reach inside the pedestal drawer cavity and turn the pedestal foot adjusting nut with your wrench. Turn the nut clockwise to raise the foot or counterclockwise to lower it.

Step 11

Slide the drawer into the drawer opening on the pedestal.

Step 12

Connect the water supply hoses to the back of the washer. Slide the washer back into its permanent location. Plug the power cord into the wall outlet. Turn on the water supply at the spigots.