A refrigerator is easy to manage but it must be level to function optimally. If you are looking for how to level a Maytag refrigerator, this article is a quick guide to follow.
How to Level a Maytag Refrigerator
You may need to find someone to help you while you level a Maytag refrigerator. At some point, you may have to shift, lift, or check the balance, so it is not a one-man job. Also, you will need to keep the user manual close to you and get a wrench, level, and screwdriver.
Disconnect the refrigerator from electric power before you begin. Next, go to the front bottom and remove the kickplate. It looks like a grille and it may pull straight out or be attached to the cabinet with screws. Inspect the kickplate for areas where it is secured with screws and if available, use the screwdriver to loosen and remove them. The Maytag refrigerator model will determine whether or not you need to open the door before removing the kickplate.
When the screws are out, hold the kickplate on either side and pull it out. Consult the user manual or contact Maytag and follow the specific instructions for your refrigerator model. Place the panel in a safe area of the room until you need it again.
Some Maytag refrigerators have rollers you can adjust while others have leveling legs. Check the manual to know which type your specific model has. Whichever it is, you will find them once you remove the kickplate, on both sides of the refrigerator.
Adjusting the refrigerator means raising or lowering it. Typically, a refrigerator should be slightly raised, with the front part an inch or so higher than the back. It must also be level from one side to the other That way, the doors can easily close and the refrigerator can operate well. But if the front is raised higher than it should go or the back is high, the refrigerator will have functional issues or not work at all.
So, put the level on top of the unit and measure its balance from one side to the other and from front to back. By now, you know whether your refrigerator has rollers, leveling legs, or is the freestanding type. If it is freestanding, you will need to bend it forward a little. However, that means using shims on the floor at the back when you do so because the refrigerator may roll.
Therefore, you will need someone to help you. The same applies to the other types. Your helper will tilt the unit a little to the back to relieve the weight on the legs so that you can adjust them. If they are rollers under the refrigerator, you will need a screwdriver to adjust them. But if they are leveling legs, use a wrench to adjust them. The size of the wrench for the job depends on the refrigerator, so consult the user manual fr specific details.
Ensure the refrigerator is at the location where you want it to be before adjusting the legs. They act as brakes, so if you move the unit and adjust the legs, you cannot move it back into position. Turn the rollers or legs clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the leveling needs. After that, place the level on the unit’s top again to check its balance. If it is level, open the door and see if it shuts by itself to be sure. If it does, you are all set.
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Quick Recap
An improperly leveled refrigerator, whether a Maytag model or others, does not work at its best. It does not only look unsightly but the doors cannot fully shut or stay shut when you manually push them. Moreover, the refrigerator may constantly run to maintain a cool temperature because the doors do not tightly seal, increasing electricity bills.
Therefore, learn how to level a Maytag refrigerator from this article. It may apply to other brands, but there are always specifics that you will find in the user manual. Follow the instructions and fix the unit’s functionality. This step is part of the installation process, so you may want to ensure the team does the correct job if it is a new refrigerator. Otherwise, request help from Maytag.
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