The added challenge is that the existing light is not centered in the room. I would have to cut drywall in order to extend and/or move the electrical source. Also, after perusing a DIY book, it said something about possibly needed to install a fan brace against the frame of the house to stabilize it so it doesn't wobble or come loose. Is this too much to deal with if time is a factor, and if this is my first time installing a fan?
2006-06-25 18:03:40 · 10 answers · asked by alleyoop!!2578 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
It is not hard at all, but it does have a number of steps. Here is a video to help you. (Click video at the top)
http://www.easy2diy.com/cm/easy/diy_ht_index.asp?page_id=35720265
The hardest part is rerouting the electricity. If you are not comfortable with this step, do the rest and hire an electrician to just hook it up. You need to make sure your house wiring can handle even the simpliest thing as an additional light. You will most likely just run a line from your already existing light switch in the room (if you have one) to the fan. But you might want more "separation". Like a swtich for just the light and just the fan. You might not have a light switch in the room and have to tap off of an existing receptacle.
Another suggestion would be to contact the Lowe's in your area. They frequently offer classes on "How to install a ceiling fan" or "How to tile a bathroom", etc.
Editted: Oh, yes.. here are websites showing how to run the electric.
http://www.creativehomeowner.com/index.php?pane=project&projectid=chhva163
http://www.homedepot.com/HDUS/EN_US/energy/en_project_cfan_02.html
Good luck.
2006-06-25 18:07:47 · answer #1 · answered by Raynanne 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Took me about 2 hours to do one the first time (including electricity), but I'm pretty handy.
If you have attic access, you can avoid cutting the drywall to move/extend the electrical source. Just find some juice in the attic and connect to that. The hard part is actually fishing the wire down a wall to install a light switch/fan switch. You can either use a fish tape or just drop a string with a weight on it down the wall. You'll need the fish tape if you are running it down an exterior wall with insulation.
As far as the brace goes, there are these neat braces that you can install from below, rather than in the attic. It works sort of like the plastic doo-dads you install in walls to hold screws - you push it up in the hole, and turn the handle, tightening the brace. Pretty neat.
I'd recommend having a helper - while you can do it with one person, with two its a little easier - one up in the attic, one on the ground. Saves a lot of running around while you figure out how to do everything.
For the electricity, just get a wiring book and it will step you through it.
Oh, and be careful in the attic. This time of year they can be hotter than Hades - mines gotten up to over 120 degrees (how high I don't know since the termometer didn't go any higher). You wouldn't want to pass out or get heat stroke.
2006-06-25 18:39:14 · answer #2 · answered by JM 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In addition, a brace is not worth a bean if the joists aren't exactly vertical, thus not allowing the 'teeth' at the ends of the brace to adequately bite into the wood. Try the brace without the box, insert thru and offset to either side of the hole and expand until the teeth just starts to bite. Now reach in to feel whether all the teeth are in uniform contact with the joists (could be tricky, need small arms). In any case, I would use a long piece (at least 16") of 1x2 lumber centered (1x4 would be better), wide side down, under the ends to spread out the load over the ceiling's sheetrock in case the brace settles a little or worse, comes loose (one can never tell once the fan is up) under the weight of the fan. After the above test, shrink the brace and begin with a lumber under one end, expand and before the teeth starts to 'bite', put another lumber under the other end b4 tightening. I think the box that comes with the brace can accommodate the extra 3/4". I installed a fan for my daughter a few years back. Her fan is located right at the joist and the adjacent joist is not vertical. Since all the weight is situated at one end, I fashioned a support for this end using flat mending plates with nuts and bolts and screw the assembly into the side of the joist. It works fine. However, it took patience, time and perseverance. Good luck.
2006-06-25 20:16:26 · answer #3 · answered by Retainer Nut 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not difficult. If you're good at drywall repair, you should have no problem. There are braces they actually make you can buy made for ceiling fans to be installed on. It's a metal brace that is adjustable in length. It nales to the side of you extisting ceiling joists. All you have to do is remove the existing box. If you decide to move the "hole" and you need extra wire, make sure you make the added connections in a metal box and secure it and make sure all the connections have the screw on connectors and no bare wires.....fire saftey. if you're timid about moving the location, don't, just get the brace / install that in the ceiling directly over the existing hole and then follow the installation instructions that came with the fan.
2006-06-25 18:11:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
DIY.com would be a great place to research this project, but the brace is easy, especially if you have access from above, but I believe they have braces that you can install without access from the top. When you are wiring the fan, be certain to ground it with the green wire. If new electrical work is required, it may be necessary or even manditory to have it inspected.
2006-06-25 18:10:05 · answer #5 · answered by slamdunkin98 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, all you have to do, is go into the attic, and buy a fan box with braces that just extend out to the ceiling joists.. this makes it easier for the fan to be installed.. And the fan itself isnt hard at all.. just follow instructions in the manual that came w/ the fan.
good luck!
2006-06-29 07:52:52 · answer #6 · answered by ManOfGod 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The fan brace is to hold the fan up.So if you don't want it on the floor well you get the Idea??? Have you looked in your attic to see if you can get at it better that way.Have you thought about swaging it (change the light fixture to an outlet you can plug into,then put a short cord on the fan)
2006-06-25 18:10:42 · answer #7 · answered by paulofhouston 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have some 1 else do it
2006-06-25 18:08:35 · answer #8 · answered by summer_luver 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as much as stay on head haha ( just joking) .it's very easy
2006-06-25 18:23:12 · answer #9 · answered by pamper_1970 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as difficult as if your not going to try
2006-06-25 18:06:46 · answer #10 · answered by vijaya 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋