Wobbling fans are loud and worthy of concern. The constant wobbling sounds can be a interrupt any gathering and when it is hot outside, a wobbling ceiling fan shouldn’t stand in your way of cooling off. Besides the frustration of listening to a wobbling ceiling fan, it’s tough to tell when you should actually be worried about the safety of your family and belongings.
At some point, wobbling ceiling fans can become dangerous. Ceiling fans do not need to wobble; they will generally only worsen with time. The spectrum of repairs for a wobbling ceiling fan ranges from easy peasy projects such as dusting and tightening screws to call in the pros for support with electrical projects.
Risks of a Wobbly Fan
- Loose screws or bolts can be the product and the cause of a wobbling ceiling fan. The screws may be the wrong size, poorly tightened during installation, or coming loose as a product of the wobbling.
- Poor mounting can create wobbling. This might consist of using the wrong screws, not leveling the fan, or just not tightening everything enough when the fan was initially installed. It can be more challenging to mount fans on vaulted ceilings.
- Unbalanced blades are a common cause of wobbling fans; luckily, they are an easy fix. With not much more than a screwdriver, a ladder or stepstool, and some patience you can align your ceiling fan blades.
- Faulty motor can be the source of a wobbling fan. If there is a noticeable change in the function of your fan, erratic movement, or loud noises, the motor may be faulty. Sometimes oil will be enough to have your fan back up and running.
- Rotting studs can be an issue as wood is prone to breaking down over time. As the wood deteriorates, the screws holding the junction box into the ceiling loosen. This rot can occur due to moisture or termites and is a serious project.
- Electrical box positioned wrong can cause ceiling fans to wobble. Ceiling fans and light fixtures require different junction boxes. Due to the movement and weight, a ceiling fan will need a fan-rated junction box if it is greater than 35 lbs.
- Bent Blades are not only unpleasing to look at but they also don’t function well. Bent blades can compromise the fan causing wobbling. If blades are bent enough they could hit anyone walking by.
What are the dangers of having a wobbly fan?
You might wonder if your wobbly ceiling fan will fall, and the answer is not likely. Even if ceiling fans do fall, they are often caught by the wiring, but you can imagine the damage that may be caused to those wires and the expense you might incur if your fan does fall.
Generally, those wires are the concern for a wobbling fan. The wobbling can cause wear on the wires, breaking down their protective coating. Combined with the dust often found on ceiling fans, these bare wires create a potential fire risk.
As the wobbling loosens the fan from the junction box, it is possible for the excess wire to get twisted again, causing a potential fire hazard.
Another inherent risk of a wobbling ceiling fan is the strain put on the motor. Over time it takes more work for a motor to drive the motion of a wobbly ceiling fan. This can lead to overheating.
A ceiling fan is not supposed to wobble. Rocking and wobbling can be an indication of a more significant issue and the risk of fire is almost greater than a ceiling fan falling. Taking the time to complete routine cleaning and maintenance is essential to reduce the risks involved with ceiling fans.
How To Handle and Fix a Wobbling Fan
Replace Loose Screws or Bolts
Over time loose screws or bolts may be stripped and unusable. If you are attempting to tighten screws and bolts on your fan and it feels like you are tightening a screw with no significant bite or to no end, it is probably stripped.
Take this screw out and use it as a model for finding a replacement. Your local hardware store experts can help you find a replacement in length and width to do the job.
There are many screws to check on your ceiling fan and should be a part of routine cleanings and maintenance. The screws that attach the blades to the fan and the fan to the mount. Any of these screws can loose due to wobbling or cause a cailing fan to wobble.
Adjust the Mounting
It is possible that you need to adjust the mount for your ceiling fan. There are additional supports for your ceiling fan. Ensuring all the screws are tightened and that parts are in good repair is a good place to start when evaluating your ceiling fan mount.
Ceiling fan mounts can crack or wear if wobbling continues over a sustained period. While at that point, the mount wouldn’t be the source of your wobbling, it could be what limits the success of your repair.
Balance the Blades
Any blades on a fan can become loose or unbalanced regardless of their shape or size. A few simple tools can allow anyone to safely balance the blades on a ceiling fan. When the fan is off, you will know if your blades need to be balanced by their visual appearance. All blades should look the same.
When working with electrical devices, turn the fan off at the breaker so no one can accidentally turn it on while working. Start by cleaning off the blades of the fan. Dust alone can cause there to be an imbalance and it is an easy place to start when working on your fan.
You should take the time to tighten any screws while you are working on your fan. Then using a ruler or measuring tape, measure the distance from the ceiling to the fan blades. Take this measurement in the middle of the blade and at the end. Carefully move or twist the blade by hand.
If there is significant imbalance you may need to adjust the screws within the motor housing. This will take patience to get all the blades to match. If you are looking for an easy out, taping a coin or little weight can balance the blades of your ceiling fan.
Replace the Motor
Come ceiling fans get a lot of use and it is possible for it to be the cause of the wobbling. If you suspect motor issues in your ceiling fan, use WD40 to oil the motor. This is only sometimes the solution, but it can help extend the life of your motor and it is a task you can complete affordably yourself.
After oiling, if there are still issues with your fan’s motor, you will want to consult a professional or consider installing a new fan. Installation or repair can range from just $100 to upwards of $500 before the cost of the fan. Depending on your choice of fan and the cost of professional electricians in your area this can be an affordable project.
Replace Rotting Studs
Replacing rotting studs can be a bit of an undertaking. Depending on the age of your house and the location, rotting studs can be caused by moisture or termites. It is also possible that there isn’t any rot but that the wood has too many previous holes compromising the structural integrity.
You will want to access the studs via your attic or crawl space to investigate if bad studs are the source of your wobbling fan. Be careful. If rotten or comprised studs are the problem, they may be weakened enough to collapse under your weight. If you ceiling fan is on the ground level you might not have access to the studs.
Reinforcing studs is a project that should be completed by a professional to ensure the structural integrity of your home and ensure that the modifications are up to building code.
Change or Adjust Junction Box
A shortcut with a junction box is a common cost-cutting technique in house flips and renovations. It can also be done out of a lack of knowledge. Junction boxes designed for ceiling fans are marked with that designation and the maximum weight that they can support. These junction boxes align with electric and building codes for safety.
It is likely inadequate if your junction box is unmarked. If you get this far into the project you probably have the skills to replace the junction box, however it should be said that replacing the junction box will require more than beginner electric skills. If you need a new junction box call in a professional electrician to help replace your junction box.
Replace bent blades
You can replace bend blades as needed. Whether you hit a blade or excess moisture has caused the blades to bend you might need to replace them. Blades that are bent will compromise the performance of your fan and result in a hazardous situation.
There are many options for replacement blades but depending on the age of you ceiling fan there might not be a match. For $20-$30 dollars you can find affordable replacement blades for your entire ceiling fan. You can find these blades at most home improvement stores. This can also be a great way to update your decor at the same time.
Replacing blades requires a ladder and a screwdriver. Most people should be able to replace bent blades with not a lot of effort.
Is Your Fan Still Wobbling?
The reality is there can be many components of a fan that cause wobbling and unfortunately the wobbling can make components of the fan break down over time. You might have to explore multiple aspects such as tightening screws, oiling the motor or balancing the blades of the fan in order to make sure your ceiling fan no longer wobbles.
If your ceiling fan is still wobbling after your efforts, it might be time to invest in a new fan or call a professional. While there are some straightforward fixes for rocking ceiling fans, your specific situation may require professional help.
If you don’t have experience working with electrical projects you might quickly find youself in over your head with this ceiling fan project. For all home improvement projects, make sure you hire a licensed and insured professional to help.
There is nothing like a wobbling ceiling fan to remind you of the list of things to do around the house. More often than not, there will be easy fixes for ceiling fan issues, but you might end up with more project than you are comfortable handling yourself. If that is the case there are professionals ready to assist.
Ruben has a diverse background in the home services industry, with experience running a construction company, a kitchen and bath showroom, and a moving and relocation company. This breadth of experience has provided him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in various areas of home improvement in general and specifically in the heating and plumbing niche.