A wobbling ceiling fan signifies that there’s an underlying problem with your fan and that it needs to be fixed. Not only are loose ceiling fans dangerous, but they also produce noise and may cause permanent damage to the fan’s blades.
That’s why it’s critical that you get them fixed before it becomes a bigger problem. But how do you know what to do? Well, there are a few different problems that cause a ceiling fan to become unbalanced. In this guide, we’ll show you how to fix an unbalanced ceiling fan.
Fixing Unbalanced Ceiling Fans
Method #1: Tightening Screws
The very first issue you may have a problem with is that the screws have come loose over time and need to be tightened. This is the most common problem amongst wobbly fans and tends to make the most amount of noise.
To fix this, you’ll first need to make sure that the fan is entirely powered off. We recommend shutting off all power by switching your electrical box switch. This way, there’s no chance of the fan turning on while you’re working.
From here, take an electric drill and unscrew all the screws. Inspect each screw to ensure that none of them have been stripped off of their shape or broken. If so, you’ll need to replace them.
Take apart each section, including the ceiling fan’s motor. This will help you locate the problem. After this, put each screw back into place using a power drill before testing the fan.
To check it, turn the power back on and turn it on in a low setting. If it still wobbles, then you might need to move on to method two.
Method #2: Cleaning Your Fan
Ceiling fans defy gravity and are professionally balanced to ensure that they don’t come crashing down. However, extra weight can lead to the fan wobbling because it’s become unbalanced. One of these issues is when you don’t clean the fan of dirt, mold, or debris.
As you know, a fan must be balanced to function, or else it may not work. A wobbling fan will have been thrown off balance.
With dirt, it only takes a small half a gram to cause the whole system to wobble. That’s why it’s essential to clean your ceiling fan regularly.
Take household antibacterial cleaning wipes or a damp cloth and rub down the top of the ceiling fan’s blades. If there’s a buildup of residue, then you may want to add a few drops of dish soap or dusting solution to your damp cloth. This will help get rid of all the small particles and break down any unwanted bacteria.
From there, rinse the blades of the fan and allow them to either air dry or wipe them down with a paper towel. After this, you can go ahead and turn the fan on and see if it’s working or not. If there’s still a problem, then you will need to move onto the final and third step.
Method #3: Balancing Your Fan
The last problem you may encounter with your fan is that it’s been wobbling because the blades have become unbalanced. Over time, a fan’s blades can break down and bend which can cause the whole system to tilt. While there’s not always a fix for this, it’s best to prevent this from happening before there’s a problem.
Firstly, take a stool or ladder and get closer to the ceiling fan. Once you’re steady and in place, bend the blade holders up and down to get them properly aligned. If your fan has very thick blades, you may not be able to bend them back in place.
If the fan still isn’t fixed and you don’t have the funds to replace it, then you can attempt to balance it out using household objects. To do this, take some coins and attach them to the ceiling fan’s blades. Tape each coin before testing the fan by turning it on.
This method often takes a lot of time and effort, which can be a hassle for most. However, you can use this method to get your fan balanced for a while although we do recommend replacing your fan at this point or calling in a professional to straighten or replace the blades.
Conclusion
If all else fails, then you know it’s time to replace your ceiling fan. Plenty of current ceiling fans come with lifetime warranties and other protection plans which can be useful if you’re looking to invest in one for the long term. Older ones tend to skip on this, which is why you should welcome a new ceiling fan with open arms.
Hopefully, you’ve found this guide somewhat useful in locating and fixing the problem. It’s best to do regular checkups on your fan since that way, you can prevent any permanent damage from occurring. As you can see, these are the three major methods on how to fix an unbalanced ceiling fan.