When my house was built six years ago the electrician attached my ceiling fan to a wooden “wedge” block which was nailed to the ceiling.
Problem was, HE MISSED THE TRUSS!!! It also appears that the only thing holding the fan, besides the six finish nails through the drywall, was the caulk he used to cover the gap between the ceiling and block as he did not have the correct angle.
The original block is split due to the screws he used to attach the fan’s hanger bracket, and it was the wrong angle anyway!
So………being the room is finished and the ceiling is vaulted, there is no access to the trusses without tearing the drywall down.
I see the truss and was thinking of making another block only this time I would make sure it was screwed to the truss!!! Does anyone see a problem with this? The fan hung there for six years with nails and caulk so if I can get the block screwed to the truss it should be OK shouldn’t it??
Thanks in advance for the help!
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Replies
Yes, it would work fine. Use screws, not nails. Make the block larger if you have to.
Rich
That is the kind of problem you get when you let an electrician do carpenter work!
Similarly, you can also have problems when a carpenter does electrical work!
Normally, everything is the builder's falt.... ;-)
There are expandable fan brackets for remodeling.
They fit through a 4" hole in the drywall. It's almost like a heavy-duty turnbuckle, you twist the center piece and the threading forces the two legs out against the framing on either side of the hole, teeth bit into the framing.
I'm not certain if they are made for cathedrals though.
The BIG problem is that this is a finished ceiling with limited access!
The expandable brackets will not work and really not necessary since I can attach to a truss. I am just trying to find the best way to mount the fan in the peak of the ceiling. Still appears the best way may be to construct a wooden block to attach the fan. Thanks for the replies thus far though!!!
Gotcha.The block would work fine.
You haven't mentioned the electrical box.
How does the wiring get to the fan?
You might be able to use something like this:
http://www.hectorshardware.biz/shop/product.asp?dept_id=905&sku=550272&
It mounts to the box (which should be solidly attached to the truss, rafter or joist and will adapt to most cathedral ceilings.
If you do not want the look of an exposed wood block, You can use a round pancake electric box and screw it directly to the truss.
Doubt he missed the truss due to stupidity - he wanted the fan centered. Might of held if it hada been glued with construction adhesive.
Here is a pic of what I do though... May not work in your situation.
I didn't call it stupidity. Just a misjudgement of distance, or a poor aim. The block had a hole in the center for the wire, which was attached to the truss. He just plain missed it!
I too, was wondering about using construction adhesive, but that would put most of the weight of the fan on the drywall, would it not?
I am in the process of building a new block. I will attach the fan mount with bolts through the block and pre-drill the block for some long screws that will go into the truss.
I could not find a commercial mount system that would work.
I thank you all for your suggestions.
BTW...I use to do a lot of remodeling in my younger days so I don't want it to appear as though I am picking on carpenters, or electricians as I have been there and also made my share of mistakes!!! :)