How do I remove the ceiling fan?

Question

I actually want to keep the fan, but remove the extension arm and have the fan flush against the ceiling. I don't know where to start. Do i have to shut the power off? Am i going to electricute myself? do the blades have to come off too?

Answer 1

Not all fans can be switched from down rod mount to flush mount. Look at the top of the fan where the down rod attaches. Then look at the canopy plate on the ceiling where the rod comes out to go down. If there are screw holes in the canopy that will match up with screw holes on the top of the fan then it probably will flush mount. If not you can shorten the down rod by replacing buying a shorter rod. To take a fan down I always take the blades off. If there is no light fixture you might get by with leaving the blades on, but if the blades hit on something on the way down the blade bracket is very easily bent. They're made of soft metal. Yes, turn the light switch off at the wall. go to the ceiling and see how the canopy is attached. Usually it has screws up close to the ceiling that have to be removed. Once it is loose it will slide down the drop rod and rest on the top of the fan. Now you can see how the fan is hung in the bracket attached to the ceiling electrical box. You will probably be able to see the wires and wire nuts also. Making sure the power is off take the wire nuts off and separate the wires. The wires from the ceiling should be solid copper, and the wires from the fan will be stranded wires. Put the wire nuts, or electrical tape over the bare ends of the black and white ceiling wires and push them back up into the ceiling box. That way if anyone comes in and turns on the switch the wires cannot short out your circuit. Remove the screws holding the fan mounting bracket from the ceiling box. The fan will be heavy, especially if you didn't take off the blades. By the way, take off the blades at the motor. It's much easier that way. Use a drill with a 6" phillips bit to remove the blade motor screws. Once the fan is down then see what you have to do to make the down drop shorter and reverse the process to re-install the fan.

Answer 2

Yes, you need to shut off the circuit that the fan is on. Turn the fan on, then have someone turn off the circuit breakers one by one until the fan stops. (You can leave all the other breakers on.)

You do not have to remove the fan blades, but you should have someone help you take it down off the ceiling. The fan's wires will be going through the extension rod, so you need to disconnect them from the wires in the ceiling box.

Next, you will probably have to shorten the rod, because you will probably need a short piece of it to connect the fan to the piece that fits over the ceiling box. Remove the rod from the fan structure and the ceiling piece. Use a hacksaw to cut it, and file off all the edges to remove any sharp bits, especially on the inside of the rod where they might cut through the wire insulation.

Thread the fan wires back through the rod and attach it to the fan. Then attach it to the ceiling piece, and reconnect the fan wires to the wires in the ceiling box. Finally, re-attach the fan to the ceiling box firmly, and then turn the circuit breaker back on. It should work just as it did before.

There may be a difference in the way you have to dismount and remount the fan or the rod to the ceiling box, so you'll have to adapt my instructions to the actual situation. For example, if the rod screws into a piece that attaches to the box, you will have to get the cut-off end re-threaded at a machine shop, or buy a shorter rod at an electrical supply store. Most stores that sell both hardware and lamps should have shorter threaded rods available.

Answer 3

Always cut the power first. depending on how it was wired, you may need to cut it at the breaker, not just the switch. get a tester that will let you know this, or just cut the breaker, if you are sure which one it is. The blades come off most types of fans. A few, they don't, but not many.

Once the power is off, start by taking blades off, however that is done on your particular fan, you may be able to take them off as a unit. then take the cover loose, find out how it's attached, and undo whatever means that is. Usually, its got a screw-on mount with either a locking screw or a locking nut. Disconnect the wires. Have some one help you, or tie the fan motor up with a string or something while you do this. Its difficult to climb the ladder with them anyway, its much easier to lower it to the floor by a string or have someone get it. You will then need a very short extension pipe. you can usually find them at a good home improvement center. if not, you can take the old one to somebody that can do it, like a machine shop, and have them cut and rethread it. OH, make notes of how the wires were hooked up, labeling them with masking tape if needed. sometimes they use the same colors of wire in one, so you might need to mark them. Cut and strip the wires to the apropriate amounts, do not overstrip them. just redo everything you undid. It's not especially difficult, but doing all this on top of a ladder can be. If you know anyone that has one, see if you can beg or borrow a Little Giant ladder. the stability and support is really nice. Be thoughtful and careful and you can do this.

Answer 4

RE:
How do I remove the ceiling fan?
I actually want to keep the fan, but remove the extension arm and have the fan flush against the ceiling. I don't know where to start. Do i have to shut the power off? Am i going to electricute myself? do the blades have to come off too?

Answer 5

It's better to call an electrician because you would need to shorten the length of the electrical wire. But if you insist to do it yourself. be safe, turn off the power by turn off the switch in the fuse box first. yes, it's better to take the blades off first. it will take the weight off . good luck

Answer 6

you have to make sure you cut the power at the fuse box not just turn it of power will still run to fan if you just turn it off

it would be easier to handle with blades off and less chance of breaking them. so its up to you

Answer 7

baseball bat or hockey stick