Fix a Ceiling Extractor Fan
Ceiling extractor fans are very common nowadays. It used to be only public places to have ceiling extractor fans special public bathrooms, but now homes too tend to feature those types of fans. There are several ways to install this particular type of fan but most people would prefer a professional to avoid any incident from happening. The main function of a ceiling extractor fan is for the ventilation inside a kitchen or the bathroom of your home. You don\’t have to worry about replacing your fan if it gets noisy or fails to function normally. You can solve the problems by fixing it yourself with a few tools with these simple steps to make your ceiling extractor fan back to its best working condition.
You will need:
- Ladder
- Cleaning detergent
- Vacuum cleaner
- Screw driver
- Face mask
- Contact cleaner
- Rag
- Clean dry cloth
- Bucket
- Rubber gloves
- Tooth brush
Steps:
- First, clean the extractor fan as it may be clogged with dirt and dust after a long time of working to filter the air from your home. Before cleaning the fan, turn off the electricity first to avoid any incidents. Use your ladder to climb up to the ceiling. Protect yourself from the accumulated dirt and dust in the fan by wearing a mask and rubber gloves.
- To make the cleaning agent, pour the cleaning detergent into a half filled warm water in a bucket. Remove all of the loose dust and dirt from the fan using the vacuum cleaner. Clean the entire fan with a clean rag and cleaning detergent. For the corners of the fan, use a toothbrush that has been dipped into the warm cleaning solution. Take a dry clean cloth to wipe it dry when the fan is completely clean. Make sure not to create any water contact with the electric parts of the fan. You can turn on the fan to check whether it functions properly.
- Faulty wiring can cause your fan to fail to work properly. To solve this problem, make sure to turn off the electric fuse by removing the cover of the switch. Check the wiring in the small box under the cover to know whether it is loose or not. Tighten any loose screws and then place the cover back. Test again to see if it works.
- If the ceiling fan still can\’t work then check the condition of the switch. Check if there is corrosion or the contacts are broken. If any of these happened then it\’s best to change the switch. If the switch is in a good condition, clean it with a contact cleaner instead by spraying the cleaner directly into the switch.
- If the fan still fails to work, the motor could be the problem. Replace a new motor to make your fan work as well as new, but make sure to replace it after the power is off.
To see if your ceiling extractor fan is working properly, switch it on and leave it on for about an hour, just to see whether it\’s really working.
Additional Reading:
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-fix-a-ceiling-extractor-fan
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xoranus/4609729762/
