Soundproofing a ceiling fan? You certainly might think some things are impossible, but honestly is there anything impossible these days? With constant improvement in science and relentless efforts of researchers, we keep finding new solutions to problems.
One problem I will be providing solutions to in this article is how to soundproof a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan is a handy appliance you find in many homes today. It is not uncommon to find these fans making terrible squeaky noise while working, which most people find annoying. While you can’t completely do away with the fan because of the breeze you get from it, you might find the loud noise too loud to bear. This is especially true if you are trying to get some sleep with the fan on.
First, you need to understand why this is even happening. Why are you fan making so much noise? In most cases, the fan is simply rusty. It could also be that an accumulation of dust is responsible for this.
There are simple ways to get rid of this unpleasant noise in your fan. Sometimes, simple routine maintenance is enough. Other times, the problem might be a bit more difficult to fix, and the noise still persists. In this case, you might need some extra tips and tricks to get rid of the noise for good. Here are some tips you can follow to get around this problem and stop the grinding or clicking noise from the fan in your room.
How to soundproof a ceiling fan
As mentioned, there are two basic things you need to do to get your fan fixed. First, there is the regular maintenance of your fan. This second step is about fixing your fan in case of advanced problems in soundproofing it.
Maintaining and cleaning
Turn off your fan: Simple but true. The first thing to do is to switch off your fan. You don’t have to be a genius to know why you need to do this first. Violently stopping the fan can knock the fan out of balance. That is aside the fact that trying to stop the blades of a working fan without switching it off can harm you.
Clean the blades well: You can make use of a microfiber towel or anything similar to do this. Ensure that the towel you are using is dry. Also, while cleaning the blade, do not apply too much pressure as this can knock it off balance. Dust can be the reason why your ceiling fan is making so many unpleasant noises, thus cleaning it might help solve the problem.
Tighten each blade well: After cleaning the blades, check for loose blades and get them tightened. This is because, in most cases, a loose bolt on the fan can be the source of the noise. Also, you should ensure that you check your ceiling fan blades at intervals. This should be done every 6 months preferably to ensure that they are always well-tightened.
Check the screws that connect the fan to the ceiling mount: The mount connecting the fan to the ceiling can also be the reason for the noise the fan makes. If the screws holding the mount are loose, they can cause a wiggle over time and cause it to squeal.
After carrying out these basic maintenance checks, turn on your fan to see if the problem is gone. However, if the problem persists, it is more advanced. You can check out other solutions as listed below.
How to fix a more advanced problem?
Ensure you lubricate the crucial parts: With time, a ceiling fan can get old and start rusting. This can be a major problem and cause unpleasant sounds. For efficient lubrication, you might have to disassemble the fan. First, you have to remove the fan motor and find its bearings. Once the motor is removed, you can put the lubricating oil on it. When this is done, rotate the fans a couple of times to disperse the oil effectively.
You then can begin the arduous process of assembling the fan again. This might not be easy. If you think you have issues with doing this part of the job, you can enlist the help of a professional to carry out the lubrication.
In addition to all these, let us also consider the process of soundproofing a duct fan.
How to soundproof a duct fan
A duct fan also can make loud annoying noises after long term use. If this is something you are struggling with, here are some basic tips that can help.
- Create a wooden or cardboard box for it with an opening at the side where the air outlet is.
- Get yourself a speedster speed controller. This allows you to control the speed of the duct fan, thereby reducing the sound.
- Place an insulated duct on both sides of the in-line in between filter and silencer.
How to soundproof a bathroom extractor fan?
The first thing to know and remember about dealing with any electrical appliances is always to switch it off before trying to work on them. Ensure that the power is turned off.
- Try reading the manual for tips on disabling your bathroom extractor fan.
- Once it’s disabled, simply slide the spinning wheel off and clean it. Remove all dust on it. You can use a vacuum to remove dust from corners your hands can’t reach.
- Once the spinning wheel is clean, put it back and make sure it fits perfectly; if not get one that fits perfectly. A loose spinning wheel can cause the fan to make noise.
- After all that, you can reassemble everything back and check your bathroom extractor fan.
Conclusion
If these tips do not work, and the problem still persists, you should consider speaking to an expert.