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Ten Easy Tips for Installing a Ceiling Fan


You may be a do it yourself (DIY) expert, having installed countless ceiling fans in numerous homesboth yours and those of various family and friends. However, even though you have the basics down, every DIYer knows: theres always another trick out there to make the process a little easier. So although the following is not an exact step-by-step guide to installing a ceiling fan, this should give you a few hints to make the process a breeze!

1. When buying, remember that not all fans were created alike. In addition to price and style, some other factors to consider when buying your fan are:
Motor: more inexpensive fans often have an outer covering of thin metal, which increases the likelihood of rattles, clicks, hums, or buzzes during operation. Since many fans are installed in bedrooms, this can become an important consideration
Blades: Blade pitch can determine how effectively air is movedan optimum pitch is 14 degrees. Also ensure that blades are balanced to avoid wobble.
Lighting: As in any other lighting situation, keep in mind lighting that is appropriate to the rooms size and function.
Room size: Not surprisingly, fans and rooms both vary in size. Make sure they vary accordingly in your house! Fans usually come in seven sizes, ranging from 32" to 56" blade spans. Come to the store armed with room measurements and speak with a lighting representative.
Mounting: For best results, fan blades need to be a minimum of seven feet above the floor, and have 12" clearance below the ceiling. For lower ceilings, choose a close or low-ceiling mount fan. With higher ceilings, you can purchase a standard or angled mount with an extension down rod.
Bonus! For maximum effect, purchase a reversible fan that helps cool you in the summer and pushes warm air down from the ceiling in the winter to keep you comfortable year round.
2. Make a list and check it twice. At the most basic level, youll need the ceiling fan/light kit, screwdrivers, wire strippers, a circuit tester, pliers, and step ladder. If you need to replace the ceiling box, youll also need a new ceiling box, a hammer, and a drywall saw. Run through the installation process in your mind before actually picking up a tool to ensure that you have all the necessary componentsnothing is more frustrating than being stuck on a step ladder, holding up the ceiling fan, and realizing the tool you need is tucked away in the toolbox in the basement!
3. Inventory the fan as you unpack. As you take the fan out of its box, give yourself plenty of room to inventory the multitude of pieces and parts. Then lay the parts out in order of installation. This way, youll be confident that you have all the parts before you start, and youll be able to move smoothly from one step to the next.
4. Turn off the electricity! You already know this, but its always worth mentioning. Turn off power to the lights circuit breaker or fuse. Ensure the circuit is truly dead by checking with a high-voltage neon tester. If youre working at night, a flashlight might be handy at this point.
5. Mounting the box: Always use a metal junction boxnot plastic. Another item to keep in mind when mounting the box is that theres several ways to mount it, depending on whether the box is next to a joist, in-between joists, or being mounted on a beamed ceiling. If no fixture was in the room previously, find the center of the room by snapping chalk lines diagonally between opposite corners. Also, the mounting must be able to withstand vibration, as even the most balanced fans cause some level of vibration when running.
6. Assemble. This step varies from one manufacturer to the next. Pay close attention to the specific instruction for your fan brand and style. However, keep in mind that if there is less than a screwdrivers length between the blade and the ceiling, it might be easier to install the blades before hanging the fan. When you are finished, again check all screws for tightness.
7. Hang fan for wiring. Install the hanger hook or attach the ceiling plate to the fan box, whichever is appropriate for your fan model. If attaching a hanger bracket, but sure to use a lock washer, which will help prevent the fans vibration from loosening screws in the future.
8. Wiring the fan. To facilitate the wiring process, swag kits can make installation easier than ever. To improve ease of use once the fan is installed, you can also wire the ceiling fan through a fan speed control. Always electrically ground the fan to both the metal box and itself, using the grounding wires (typically either green or bare copper).
9. Let there be light! Install the light kit and controls you have chosen. This step typically varies according to individual models. However, in general the wires are provided with plug-in connectors. Be sure to tighten everything securely. Install the globe(s) and the light bulb(s).
10. Troubleshooting wobbles. Fan wobbles can range in severity from a minor irritation to a seriously hazardous situation. If you notice your fan wobbling, the first step is to take off the blades and examine them. Look for bent or misshapen blades. If you dont see any obvious deformities, weigh them to determine if one is lighter or heavier than the rest. If one is underweight, affix a soft object such as an eraser to the middle on the top and see if that resolves the problem. For wobbles that are still unexplained, fan balancing kits with detailed instructions are also available.

Youre finished! Pat yourself on the back and enjoy the delightful breeze from your new ceiling fan.

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Groovin Grouting Tips: Five Key Things to Consider Before Applying that Grout

When selecting a new tile floor, you dont want to forget about grout. It may seem like a trivial decision to make, but grout color and width will make all the difference in the appearance of your new floor. Before you apply grout to your new tile floor, there are five key things to keep in mind.
1. Selecting the Right Color
No matter what the thickness of your grout, it will be visible so you want to choose a shade of grout that will compliment your tile and your dcor. You can get grout in all sorts of colors now, so you can try to match the color of your tile so it blends in more or you can choose a contrasting shade the will emphasize the spacing between each tile. Remember that white and lighter shades of grout will show dirt and stains more than darker colors. Grout color can also change over time so youll want to keep that in mind when selecting a shade for your new floor.
2. Purchase the Correct Tools
Just as with any home improvement project, having the right tools is important if you want to complete the project effectively. You should purchase a good quality grout to ensure that it stands up over time. You will need some kind of tool to apply the grout a palette knife or spatula or trowel will decrease the mess on the floor and on you. Using these tools will also help you keep the grout level. You dont want the grout to be too much lower or higher than the level of the tiles. You will also need a sponge or cloth and a bucket to remove any excess.
3. Spacing
Spacing the tiles and the grout is a tricky business, but you need to be patient and take your time to ensure that your tiles look evenly spaced out. You might want to take the time to layout your tiles and ensure the correct spacing before even gluing them in place. You will need to work somewhat quickly once the glue is down, so planning ahead like this can save a lot of stress and aggravation later.
Once you have your tiles and know the size, youll want to figure out how much grout you want to have showing. When it comes to actually laying down your tile, you can purchase spacers at your local home improvement or hardware store. These will help you keep the tiles a specific distance apart and ensure a consistent width of grout all around the tiles.
You need to make sure that your tiles are in the correct spot before you put the grout down. The grout only fills the spaces between the tiles, so if you find that the grout lines are uneven it is the result of the tiles being crooked, not the grout itself.
4. Sealer
To protect grout, you need to apply a sealer. This sealer will protect the grout from damage and stains. You can purchase these sealers at your local home store or at a specialty tile store. It may take some time to apply this sealant, because you have to go over each grout line without getting any on the tile, but it will really help protect your grout from all sorts of harm. Your grout will probably show age quicker than the tiles themselves, so you want to do everything you can to protect your grout right from the start.
5. Maintenance
You need to clean and maintain your grout, just as you do the tile itself. In fact, you probably need to pay more attention to the grout since over time it will build up dirt faster than the tile surface. If your grout is not perfectly level with your tile, your mop may miss some of the dirt and stains and cracks or holes in the grout can also hide bits of dirt and bacteria. Every once and awhile, you should carefully clear all of the grout lines to ensure you remove any hidden dirt and stains that might be missed during your usual cleanings. Over time you may even want to apply more sealer since it can be worn down by high traffic and scrubbing.