Installing Anti Vibration Mounts for Ceiling Fans

When you want to put in a ceiling fan, you will need anti vibration mounts for 2 reasons. First, these will stabilize the fan so it runs smoothly. Second, the mount, lined with rubber cushioning, will help the fan run quietly. Follow these guidelines to install anti-vibration mounts for your ceiling fan.

Step 1: Find the Ceiling Joists and Measure to Place the Ceiling Fan

Use the stud finder to locate the ceiling joists. Mark their location in pencil on the ceiling surface. Measure to the approximate location where you want the ceiling fan. Be sure the spot is exactly under a ceiling joist or precisely between 2 ceiling joists. Measure the length for the steel brace that will form the anti-vibration mount. You will lay it across 2 joists and fasten it at each end through a perforation. The fan workbox will be attached to this brace.

Step 2: Measure and Cut Open the Ceiling

Mark the rough location where your ceiling fan will be located. If you can access this spot through an attic or closet, cut the hole for the fan workbox and anti-vibration mounts with the band saw. If not, put your stepladder under the spot to cut the hole, put on safety glasses and cut the rough hole for the fan in with the band saw.

Step 3: Insert the Anti Vibration Mount Brace

Slip the brace in through the hole and secure it to the ceiling joists with metal screws. Mark the perforations in yellow grease pencil where you will screw on the fan workbox to the brace.

Step 4: Insulate the Anti Vibration Mount

Cut rubber cushioning to fit the length of the anti-vibration mount brace. Apply rubber epoxy along the length of the anti-vibration mount with the putty knife. Lay the strips of rubber cushioning along the anti-vibraiton mount and press them firmly into place. The rubber cushioning should extend 1 inch past each side of the metal brace.

Step 5: Install the Ceiling Fan

Follow the maker's instructions to install the ceiling fan. Check it with the carpenter's level to ensure it is level before attaching the fan blades. Check the ceiling fan again after attaching the fan blades to ensure it stays level. Connect the live wires to each other and the ground wires to each other to make a clean electrical circuit.

Step 6: Test the Fan in Operation

Connect the fan to a power source and reset the circuit breaker or fuse. Test the fan for smooth, quiet, wobble-free operation. If it is noisy or unstable, adjust the fan's workbox as needed, and add another layer of rubber cushioning to the anti-vibration mount. Test the fan speed with the pull cord so that it rotates in both directions and changes speed according to specifications.

Step 7: Seal the Fan Into the Ceiling

Once the fan is operating satisfactorily, slide the ornamental rim of the fan on the downrod up to the ceiling, and fasten the rim with the screws provided.