The Home Improvement Thread

[zamler]

If anyone thinks that is too much for an "easy" job do it yourself. Speaking of bathroom fans I have a Panasonic that is going on 20 years old that thing is incredible still works and sounds exactly like it did the day I installed it. Are they still made this well?

[Fuzz]

I have a Broan-NuTone I installed back in 2006 or so. Still as quite as the day I put it in.

[Wormius]

Removing and replacing the blower from any bathroom fan should be relatively easy, but best to take the cover off first and take a pic and just head over to a store to see if they have a replacement first. In most it doesn’t even require any messing around with wires, it should just be a few screws and a plug.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Removing and replacing the blower from any bathroom fan should be relatively easy, but best to take the cover off first and take a pic and just head over to a store to see if they have a replacement first. In most it doesn’t even require any messing around with wires, it should just be a few screws and a plug.

True, and if you fail at doing it you'll only be down a few bucks so a worthwhile gamble to try it yourself if you're so inclined.

[DoubleF]

What are the odds that a no-vent bathroom fan that isn't seemingly moving any air is just clogged with dust and whatnot? I'd want to know if I should make a backup plan for replacement before pulling the thing down and checking it (limited time to do these projects or have a project that isn't completed when I put time aside to do it).

[PaperBagger'14]

First thing to check would be the "filter" on it. There's usually a piece of mesh laid on top of the plastic cover that is easy to remove and clean. That would be your best first step

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

First thing to check would be the "filter" on it. There's usually a piece of mesh laid on top of the plastic cover that is easy to remove and clean. That would be your best first step

Mine doesn't have a mesh filter, and I wonder what the point would be? It would restrict airflow a bit, and why do I care what gets sucked up the fan and shot out the vent?

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Mine doesn't have a mesh filter, and I wonder what the point would be? It would restrict airflow a bit, and why do I care what gets sucked up the fan and shot out the vent?

I think to protect to the motor.

[Hemi-Cuda]

I hate how little room is available in light switch electrical boxes, mostly due to way more wires being in them than necessary. I've been slowly switching out my standard switches with smart switches, and the smart ones are quite a bit bulkier in the back as expected. Trying to cram everything in after wiring them up always makes me worried that something is going to break. Why does a single light switch need 4 neutral wires and 4 load wires running to the box, when on a standard switch only 2 of the load wires are used?

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Mine went about 10 years ago. Easy fix with the igniter.

It was a pretty easy fix. The only part I wasn't sure about is that the original igniter was rotated 90 degrees to the way I had to install the universal igniter. I tried to bend the mounting tab on the universal one so that the igniter would be the exact same but the tab was just too think to bend and I didn't want to crack the ceramic end piece. It seems to still light properly so hopefully it isn't too big of a deal.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Mine doesn't have a mesh filter, and I wonder what the point would be? It would restrict airflow a bit, and why do I care what gets sucked up the fan and shot out the vent?

All the fart fans in my house have a screen, I think like wormius said to protect the motor and help prevent build up of dust and gunk on the blades. Unevenly weighted/balanced blades can cause premature failure

[Fuzz]

All very logical. Maybe one day I should get up there and clean mine...The thing with houses is there is never a time when everything is done.

[indes]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

I hate how little room is available in light switch electrical boxes, mostly due to way more wires being in them than necessary. I've been slowly switching out my standard switches with smart switches, and the smart ones are quite a bit bulkier in the back as expected. Trying to cram everything in after wiring them up always makes me worried that something is going to break. Why does a single light switch need 4 neutral wires and 4 load wires running to the box, when on a standard switch only 2 of the load wires are used?

Agreed! I've been doing the same thing and its pretty sketchy getting those in some of the time. I usually just make sure everything is tight and no bare wires are showing then suck them back in with the screws

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by indes

Agreed! I've been doing the same thing and its pretty sketchy getting those in some of the time. I usually just make sure everything is tight and no bare wires are showing then suck them back in with the screws

That's what I've been doing, but when you have to rely on the screws to get the switch flush with the wall only one side actually gets flush since it's just a single screw at the top and bottom. Now the three switches I've done are raised slightly from left to right, not enough for most people to notice, but I definitely notice

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

That's what I've been doing, but when you have to rely on the screws to get the switch flush with the wall only one side actually gets flush since it's just a single screw at the top and bottom. Now the three switches I've done are raised slightly from left to right, not enough for most people to notice, but I definitely notice

Pro tip here, grab some black electrical tape and wrap it around any plug or switch with energized screws that you install. You can also wrap tape around the underside of any wire nuts (marrettes) you use to help prevent anything from entering energized points.

[timun]

Anyone here ever use Wago "lever nuts" in lieu of marrettes? I've heard they're the bees' knees.

[Winsor_Pilates]

We take possession of a new(old) house in a week. Signed on a designer & contractor for a reno and went to pick out fixtures & tiles today.
I have to admit, I was very excited to go to the tile showroom, that place was cool.

I'm sure I'll be sifting through this thread a lot more now.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by timun

Anyone here ever use Wago "lever nuts" in lieu of marrettes? I've heard they're the bees' knees.

Wouldn’t they take up more space than a marrette though? I guess I’d have to see them side-by-side. I could see it getting crowded in some busier junction boxes.

[timun]

That's why I'm asking. They certainly look a metric ####ton easier to get a proper connection with, but I've never seen one up close so I don't have much of a sense of scale for the things.

To be frank many people don't use the correct size of marrette anyway, and that's part of the problem with crappy connections and overly-full boxes...

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by timun

Anyone here ever use Wago "lever nuts" in lieu of marrettes? I've heard they're the bees' knees.

No professional should use them. Are they passable for a homeowner who doesn't know any better? Yes, but I would never put them in my house