Ceiling Fan Reinforcement
By: Amanda Campbell
Updated: August 12, 2010
You know, ceiling fans are designed to circulate air both in summer and winter, and depending on their style they can also add a nice decorative touch to your home. But if the fan isn’t mounted properly, it can also be an eyesore. Well, today we’re going to show you four ways to fix a wobbly ceiling fan. It’s easy and quick to do, and you can do it yourself.
Fantec Blade Balancing Kit
If your ceiling fan is wobbling, then the most common problem is unbalanced blades. Use the Fantec blade balancing kit to check and see if you can correct the problem without major surgery. The kit includes one balance clip and three adhesive backed balancing weights. Turn the fan off, take the balancing clip and attach it to the center of any blade midway between the blade holder and the blade tip on the trailing edge of the blade. Turn the fan on, and see if that corrects or eases the problem. If it doesn’t, then repeat these steps on each blade until the problem is eased. Once you find the right “wobbly” blade, take a balancing weight, peel off the peel and stick backing, and attach it near where the balance clip was attached. This should help the wobble.
“Old-fashioned fix” (working from the attic)
Basically the weight of the fan and the constant movement of the blades can cause the fan mount to come loose and cause it to wobble. The old way to fix a wobbly ceiling fan was to put a 2x4 or 2x6 board between the joists, and attach a new electrical box to the wood to steady the fan. Well, this fix is difficult because it’s hard to hold the electrical box flush with the ceiling (which is what’s required) as you nail it in place. But you can make it work by measuring the diameter of your electrical box, then subtract the thickness of the ceiling drywall (usually ½” thick), then take that measurement and cut spacer blocks to mount the 2x4. Once the 2x4 brace is nailed into the joists while it’s sitting on the 2x4s, the electrical box will be flush with the ceiling, and that’s what you want. A steady fan.
Another Option (but you’re in the attic again)
We use an adjustable bracket with spacers already in place. The Super Fan Brace by Reiker Enterprises eliminates the need to cut spacer blocks. They’re built in. The metal
bracket slides or expands anywhere from 16" to 24" to go between the joists. You’ll also like the fact that the electrical box also slides along the bracket to fit wherever your ceiling hole may be because, let’s face it, not all fans are mounted exactly center between the joists. This time, the built-in electrical box will go flush with the ceiling with the simple turn of a nut on the box, itself; it tightens it down and seats it flush with the ceiling.
Our Recommended Fix (Do this from the comfort of your own room!)
The Reiker Enterprise Inc Twist Mount installs from inside your house. All you do is push the bracket up through the opening in the ceiling. The twist handle has metal spacer blocks attached, and all you do is twist the handle and the rod expands. On the end of the rods are metal spikes that spread out and the spikes twist into the soft wood of the joists for a permanent solid mount that will eliminate your fan’s wobble. The kit comes with an electrical box. Once the twist mount is screwed into the wood, take the brackets and loop them over the bar, slide the electrical box up into the hole, and then use the kit screws to slide the electrical box up, and use nuts to secure it tightly. Use a wrench to snug it down tightly, and your installation is complete.
The twist bar costs about $14 and is available at most leading home and hardware stores. The adjustable mount is about $6. The 2x4-fix depends on how much wood you buy, and the blade balancing kit is less than a $1.
Fantec Blade Balancing Kit
If your ceiling fan is wobbling, then the most common problem is unbalanced blades. Use the Fantec blade balancing kit to check and see if you can correct the problem without major surgery. The kit includes one balance clip and three adhesive backed balancing weights. Turn the fan off, take the balancing clip and attach it to the center of any blade midway between the blade holder and the blade tip on the trailing edge of the blade. Turn the fan on, and see if that corrects or eases the problem. If it doesn’t, then repeat these steps on each blade until the problem is eased. Once you find the right “wobbly” blade, take a balancing weight, peel off the peel and stick backing, and attach it near where the balance clip was attached. This should help the wobble.
“Old-fashioned fix” (working from the attic)
Basically the weight of the fan and the constant movement of the blades can cause the fan mount to come loose and cause it to wobble. The old way to fix a wobbly ceiling fan was to put a 2x4 or 2x6 board between the joists, and attach a new electrical box to the wood to steady the fan. Well, this fix is difficult because it’s hard to hold the electrical box flush with the ceiling (which is what’s required) as you nail it in place. But you can make it work by measuring the diameter of your electrical box, then subtract the thickness of the ceiling drywall (usually ½” thick), then take that measurement and cut spacer blocks to mount the 2x4. Once the 2x4 brace is nailed into the joists while it’s sitting on the 2x4s, the electrical box will be flush with the ceiling, and that’s what you want. A steady fan.
Another Option (but you’re in the attic again)
We use an adjustable bracket with spacers already in place. The Super Fan Brace by Reiker Enterprises eliminates the need to cut spacer blocks. They’re built in. The metal
bracket slides or expands anywhere from 16" to 24" to go between the joists. You’ll also like the fact that the electrical box also slides along the bracket to fit wherever your ceiling hole may be because, let’s face it, not all fans are mounted exactly center between the joists. This time, the built-in electrical box will go flush with the ceiling with the simple turn of a nut on the box, itself; it tightens it down and seats it flush with the ceiling.
Our Recommended Fix (Do this from the comfort of your own room!)
The Reiker Enterprise Inc Twist Mount installs from inside your house. All you do is push the bracket up through the opening in the ceiling. The twist handle has metal spacer blocks attached, and all you do is twist the handle and the rod expands. On the end of the rods are metal spikes that spread out and the spikes twist into the soft wood of the joists for a permanent solid mount that will eliminate your fan’s wobble. The kit comes with an electrical box. Once the twist mount is screwed into the wood, take the brackets and loop them over the bar, slide the electrical box up into the hole, and then use the kit screws to slide the electrical box up, and use nuts to secure it tightly. Use a wrench to snug it down tightly, and your installation is complete.
The twist bar costs about $14 and is available at most leading home and hardware stores. The adjustable mount is about $6. The 2x4-fix depends on how much wood you buy, and the blade balancing kit is less than a $1.
