Need help installing a celing fan

[sweetdiesel]

I'm hoping with all the DIYers and professional electricians out there you can give me a little help. I'm trying to install a ceiling fan in the bedroom, but my problem is how to get the old electrical box out without damaging the ceiling. I need to remove the old box to install the fan brace and new box. The last time I did this in my living room I ended up ripping big chunks of the ceiling out and had to cover it with a disk. I'd like to avoid this as much as possible. Any tips or tricks to removing the old box? It looks like it's secured with two nails.

 

[RatzoRC]

Here in NY, there usually put up with screws (old pan head slotted).
If it's in with nails, put a couple of long 8/32 screws in the cover holes and
put a pry bar into the screw and yank the poop out of it or get a long board, put it against the ceiling and pry against it.
Don't damage the old wires.
After the box is removed, the new box will have little holes in it. Just screw the new box up to the wood in the ceiling that the nails are into now.
Screw it up using the inner holes. The outer holes will be needed to hold the fan bracket. Use 3 1/2 inch drywall screws to put the bracket thru the box and into the wood.

 

[sweetdiesel]

Awesome. I was really worried I was going to wreck the ceiling again. Thanks for pointing out that I won't need the brace since the wood is already there. You da man Ratzo!

 

[Blitzkrieg]

yea Ratzo almost sounded like you have done that before. Pit Bitch could have gave him that info LOL..

 

[sweetdiesel]

Here in NY, there usually put up with screws (old pan head slotted).
If it's in with nails, put a couple of long 8/32 screws in the cover holes and
put a pry bar into the screw and yank the poop out of it or get a long board, put it against the ceiling and pry against it.
Don't damage the old wires.
After the box is removed, the new box will have little holes in it. Just screw the new box up to the wood in the ceiling that the nails are into now.
Screw it up using the inner holes. The outer holes will be needed to hold the fan bracket. Use 3 1/2 inch drywall screws to put the bracket thru the box and into the wood.

Well after ripping the box out with the help of the 8/32 screws and a pry bar, I found that it was not nailed to wood but rather attached to a steel L bracket which was nailed to the side of the ceiling joist. So I still have to use the fan brace. But thanks to your excellent instructions the ceiling is still intact. Thanks again Ratzo.

 

[RatzoRC]

SD.
Get one like this.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00027EWNW/102-8855327-6720956?v=glance&n=228013"]Amazon.com: Westinghouse Saf-T-Brace Ceiling Fan Support Brace with Locking Teeth, Silver #01100: Home Improvement[/ame]

You don't have to make a huge hole at all.

Fit the bar into the ceiling, use a wrench to tighten the bars so that they expand.
After the bar is secure, mount the box onto the u-clamp with the screws.
Then mount the fan.
If you have trouble, PM me your # and I'll walk you through it.

 

[FastEddy]

Its a lot more fun if you keep the light switch on.
Dont believe me? Give it a shot

 

[sweetdiesel]

I bought one of those braces when I picked up the fan. But here is my concern.

The brace is rated at 70lbs when attached between 16" joists, and rated for 35 lbs when attached between 24" joists. My joists are 24" apart. The fan is 33 lbs including the light bulbs. I have the brace in place but I haven't done anything else. Is it common in these types of installations to have the fan hang on one end of the brace and not closer to the middle?

Its a lot more fun if you keep the light switch on.
Dont believe me? Give it a shot

I once changed all the wall outlets without turning the power off at the circuit breaker box. I got lucky until I changed the very last one. Not fun at all. Not very smart of me either. lol

 

[hb1111]

when they rate it 35 lbs its a under rated weight so your 33 lbs is no problem what i like to do is go in the attic and toe nail a 2x4 in between the 24 in studs so that it is flush with the inner ceiling then your new box can screw to that much more secure then them thin fan braces...good luck