The most important tip for ceiling fan repair is to check and double check that the electricity has been shut off before attempting any repairs to the fan. One should shut off the power at the circuit box to the house to prevent electricity from running to the ceiling fan; if the person doing the repair is touching any of the wires, a shock hazard exists and all precautions should be taken to prevent electrocution. Ceiling fan repair should also be done with a partner standing by, since the person doing the repair will need to stand on a stool or ladder and may need someone to stabilize the ladder or hold the fan once it has been removed.
One of the most common ceiling fan repair jobs is fixing a wobble. This may occur because the screws that hold the ceiling fan in place have worked loose, or the electrical box to which the fan is secured is not strong enough to handle the stress of the moving fan. If this is the case, ceiling fan repair may be as simple as tightening a few screws, or more in-depth, involving replacing the electrical box. Boxes that support a ceiling light may not be strong enough to handle the weight and movement of a ceiling fan, so replacing it with a stronger box may be necessary. This is not often a difficult job, but it may require the person doing the repair to climb into the attic to perform the replacement.
If electrical work is necessary during the ceiling fan repair, it is important to know what each wire does. It may help to label each wire using a piece of masking tape and a marker, as the colors of the wires are not always the most reliable indicators. Ground wires are usually green or green and yellow, but this may not always be the case. Have a voltmeter on hand to check wires for electricity if necessary. When attaching wires together, use high quality wire harnesses or wire nuts to ensure the connections will not separate; loose wire connections can cause the ceiling fan to malfunction, and may even cause a fire hazard.
While most ceiling fan repair jobs can be done with one person, it is always wise to have a second person standing by. Ceiling fans can be cumbersome to hold, especially when one is standing at the top of a ladder, and some units may be heavy. Having a person standing by can help prevent accidents and make installation or removal much easier.
