If the fact that summer isn’t too far away now makes you think about what? jobs you need to be ready around your house before the weather turns hot, you are probably thinking of cooling options. Ceiling fans are useful to have in many rooms of the house and also outside on patios.
They are power friendly, often all that is needed to make the temperature more comfortable in many locations or at certain times, and also affordable.
You can save yourself some money if you install these products yourself. However, if you are not experienced in this field, it pays to know some common installation mistakes to avoid.
Do not measure first
One mistake many people make when they start working with an extra ceiling fan in their home is not measuring the ceiling slope before starting the work. It is vital to find the correct location and placement of your fan(s) to get adequate air circulation once you use the products. You have to make sure fans are hanging at the right height for this to happen.
It is vital to make sure you have the minimum down rod length required for the fan blade diameter you need. The length of the downrod affects the fan’s air supply and how well it cools, as it lowers the motor and fan blades so they clear the sloped ceiling surface of sloped ceilings. The more space you create between the ceiling and the fan, the better your results will be.
This choice of downrod length comes down to the height of the ceiling. You need a minimum distance between the ceiling and the blade length of nine to ten inches. In addition, for safety, make sure the fan is at least seven or 7.5 feet above the floor in a standard room or at least eight to 8.5 feet above the floor if you have high ceilings. Most fans come with a ready-made short down rod which is perfect for standard 6 foot high flat ceilings, but if you have a higher or sloped ceiling you will need to buy a longer down rod.
Do not read the installation manual
Correct installation of ceiling fan requires understanding of the specific product you have purchased. However, many people get in trouble for not reading the installation guide before getting to work and instead immediately start doing what they think makes sense. Although you may be very practical and think that mounting and installing a fan is not a problem, it is still wise to read the manual before installing it.
There may be a sequence of steps to take that you wouldn’t think of on your own, or there may even be something finicky about the specific product you purchased that isn’t obvious, especially if it’s a made-to-order product. If you get frustrated reading dry-written manuals, look online and see if you can find a video made by the manufacturer or reseller that you can watch that will make the process easier.
Lack of tools
Another common mistake many people make is not collecting the tools they need before going to work or having the wrong equipment. You don’t want to have to stop what you’re doing halfway through the installation to find extra tools or realize you can’t finish the job because you don’t have the necessary supplies.
What you need may vary from product to product, but installation typically requires a four-in-one screwdriver, a 60cm spirit level, hammer, wrench, wrench set, and needle nose pliers. Plus, you’ll want a tape measure, wire stripper/cutter, and non-contact voltage tester.
Forgot to turn off the power
To keep yourself and anyone else you help safe while installing a new fan, don’t make the worrisome mistake of forgetting to turn off the power before starting work. You have to connect fan wires to your home’s electrical system, which means you have to deal with dangerous wiring. It is essential to turn off the power to the main panel before removing an old fan or installing a new one so you don’t risk electrocuting yourself, shorting circuits, starting a fire and the like.
Some other common mistakes when installing ceiling fans include not removing the old electrical box, incorrectly connecting the appliance wiring, not fully mounting the fan before installing it, and incorrectly attaching fan blades. In addition, avoid the errors by trying to do all the work yourself and not extensively testing the device after installation.
Keep all of these factors in mind as you work, and you’ll reduce the risk and increase the chances of getting a fan that will do its job well for many years to come.
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