Fan Tip

Installing a ceiling fan is an easy task even for beginners; but there are some things to remember. Ceiling fans are heavier than most light fixtures, so be sure that the ceiling box will provide adequate support. Ceiling fans are most effective when hung eight to 10 feet from the floor. If you're hanging a fan in a room with a high ceiling consider using an extension rod. Always hang and connect the fan motor before installing the blades. Finally, be wary of dropping parts down into the fan motor after the fan is hung. If the fan came wrapped in plastic, consider leaving the plastic on until you need to install the blades.

Don't Forget

There are always things that get forgotten for one reason or the other but in home repair there are some repeat offenders that will get your goat from time to time. Here's a few of those:

- When replacing the plug on a cord there is often a cap that slides onto the cord before the connections are made. If you forget to put that on, take the plug apart and do it again.

- When assembling compression fittings, don't forget to put the nut on the pipe before the compression sleeve.

- When installing a ceiling fan there is often a canopy that must go on before the fan is hung and wired -- if you forget it, you'll have to go back and put it on.

The solution to the "don't forget" problem may involve reading instructions or thinking through the process before beginning, but this has not yet been confirmed.

- Stephen Corwin

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2001