How-to guide takes the guesswork out of installing a ceiling fan
One of the best ways to cut down on your cooling costs in the summertime is with the use of ceiling fans.
What if you don't have one? They can be easily added in place of an existing ceiling fixture. Here are the basic steps.
The first thing you need to do is turn the power off at the breaker box. Even if the light switch is off, the power is still going to the wiring and must be turned off at the entry box for your safety.
After the power is turned off, you can safely disconnect the ceiling fixture. Disconnect the wiring and remove the fixture.
The next step is to determine whether the electrical box is mounted in a way that will support a ceiling fan. Most are heavy, and you can add bracing easily, even if you don't have access to the attic. If you need additional support, add a metal bracket, made just for this purpose. The electrical box is removed, the brace is installed between the joists and the box is reinstalled.
The next step may require some help from a buddy. You'll need to hook the wiring up to the electrical box and then hang the fan. Make sure to use wire nuts, and test your connections by pulling the wire nuts to make sure the wires stay in place. Then wrap your connections with electrical tape. If you are not sure you can safely handle the electrical connections, get some help. You want to make sure you do this correctly.
Finish by installing any cover plates and blades, and give it a test. Most ceiling fans have a "reverse" switch on them so that the direction of the blades can be changed during the winter to help pull warm air back down into the room. Make sure your ceiling fan is set properly, and use it to help save energy dollars and make you and your family more comfortable this summer.
Fight wobbles with washers: Do you have a wobbly table or an uneven chair? It can be aggravating to deal with this common problem. You probably have tried a dozen things shoved under the "short" leg to remedy the situation, but either they have failed or they weren't permanent. One of the easiest ways to settle this problem once and for all is by gluing a rubber washer to the bottom of the faulty leg. It's easy to do, costs only pennies and works like a charm!
There's a hook: Painting shutters can be time-consuming and very boring! We think spray paint is your best bet because the paint will go on much faster and get into all of the small, hard-to-reach spots. One super-simple way to speed up the process even more would be to install a couple of eye hooks on the end of each shutter so you can hang them up and paint both sides at once. You'll get finished in half the time with this easy idea.
Super hints
• Calculators are handy in a workshop to help you with certain calculations. Keep your calculator in a sealable plastic bag to keep dust and debris out. With most calculators, you can use them without even taking them out of the bag.
• To make sure your sink stopper does the job, place a small piece of plastic wrap between the bottom of the drain and the stopper. It will really hold. Just make sure the plastic doesn't slip down the drain.
• I'm playing golf a lot more these days, and I've learned that a clean ball will travel farther than a dirty one. I use a mixture of warm water and a few drops of Jet Dry dish-washing aid to clean the balls. I've heard that this mixture will help you get more distance on your drives, and I'll try anything that might help my game.
Q. I am trying to repair an antique tea cart and cannot get a wooden dowel out of its fitting to replace it. I don't want to do any drilling or anything that would harm the integrity of the piece. What would you suggest?
A. Try soaking the joint in warm vinegar for a few minutes. Many times, old glues will dissolve in vinegar. Don't leave it in too long, but if it seems to be working and needs a little more time, let it soak a little longer.
Q. My office is paneled with a nice wood and, in redecorating, I have removed some pictures from the walls and am left with some holes to patch over. What can I use that will be hidden, or at least less noticeable than the holes?
A. You should be able to find a matching wood putty. Look for a variety package that includes several small containers so you can create a blend of shades if you can't find a perfect match.
Q. I am going to try to paint my bathroom again, but I have a question. The paint keeps peeling in this room, and I don't know why. Is there a way to prevent it?
A. It sounds like you need to add ventilation to the room. If you have it, you need to use it. If you don't have it, you should add it. Before painting, remove any loose or peeling paint. Then use a primer on any bare spots, followed by a good-quality paint.
Q. I am hoping that we can add insulation or something to quiet the nursery from the rest of the den. The TV is loud and easily heard in the nursery. What can you suggest?
A. If you have access to the inside of the wall, you might try adding insulation, but that can be difficult and might not help that much. You probably would do better to add another layer of drywall to your existing wall. Look for a product called Green Glue in a caulking tube to add soundproofing between the layers of drywall. Tape and bed the wall, and follow with paint, and you should see a big difference.
Reader tips
• Our young sons manage to tear down the shower curtain several times a year, and my wife has put her foot down on buying any more. I found a great way to protect the curtains. I make a small hole and slide a piece of string-trimmer line down the length of the curtain just over the holes. The trimmer line is very strong, and it seems to keep the holes from being torn out. As an added layer of protection, I also glued a second shower curtain to the first. So far, it's been up for almost four months, and none of the holes has ripped out. I think they should make a heavy-duty shower curtain, but until then, my idea might work for others too.
• My wife was asking someone about buying a new dishwasher just so it would match the new refrigerator, which is black. I knew we could switch it out but decided I'd better get it done quickly, before she bought a new unit. Many dishwashers, ours included, have a front panel that can be switched out. The existing white front just slid out and switched to the other side, which was black. I guess one of these days we will have to replace it, but not because it's the wrong color!
• With three little daughters, pinched fingers in the screen door have been a problem. I found a "spring hinge" that will take the place of the screen-door spring. The hinge is put on in place of one of the existing hinges, and it makes the door close without the use of the long spring. I don't have to worry about pinched fingers anymore, and the door stays closed.
• We have a deep-freeze in the basement that we store food in. I recently cleaned it out but had a problem getting rid of the bad smell. I ended up placing a bowl of charcoal briquettes inside for a few days to absorb the odor. It worked, and it's back on and smells fine again. The charcoal made the difference where the cleaners failed.
• The roofers we hired to replace our roof did a lousy job of cleaning up. We found so many nails in the yard; we had to remove them before we could mow or even walk around. I flipped my push broom over so that the bristles were facing up and glued a long magnetic strip to the top of the broom head. Then I dragged it around the yard several times. This did a great job of picking up the nails, and although I'm sure we missed a few, we did get most of them.
Shoptalk
• Magnamagic, the inventor of magnetic paint, has combined its clever creation with chalkboard paint. Now you can paint a chalkboard right on your home's walls, and it will be magnetic, too. If that's not enough, consider the fact that it's tintable. The secret is the extremely fine iron particles included in the formula. You get a very smooth finish, and your only limitation will be your imagination. Take a look at it for yourself at your Sherwin Williams store, or online at magnamagic.com.
• When all other adhesives fail, you usually can count on epoxies, and Gorilla Glue has just launched an impact-resistant epoxy. The five-minute setup is perfect for hurried do-it-yourselfers. The structural, gap-filling properties are helpful, and when completely cured, it's drillable, resistant to solvents, water, oil and alcohol, and bonds to wood, metal, ceramic and more. You'll love the low-VOC, nontoxic formulation, too. Gorilla Epoxy comes in a reusable syringe that dispenses evenly and has a cap that allows multiple uses and an extended shelf life of at least 24 months.
• Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit the Carrells' Web site at thesuperhandyman.com.
© 2009, Cowles Syndicate Inc.