I hate installing ceiling fans. Period. For some reason, installing a ceiling fan always takes longer than it should.. for me, at least.
Monica and I have said since the day we moved into this house that we were going to replace the light in Katie Lynn’s bedroom. We found a fan we liked at Home Depot about a month ago and finally bought it yesterday morning.
About 9:30 this morning, I decided to go ahead and get her new fan installed. Should only take about an hour, right?
First step was easy — take down the hideous current light fixture.
Second step — the actual fan installation. This step did not turn out as easy as the first. Installed the base, got the motor’s electrical connected, got the motor installed.. then Monica comes in and looks — it’s not level. Okay, so we talk about it and decide to use the downrod. So I unmount the motor, de-connect the electrical, and uninstall the base. So I go back to the instructions (yes, I read them..) and figure out how to install the fan with the downrod. So back to installing the base, connecting the electrical, and mounting the motor.
Yep, you guessed it.. still not level. So I unmount the motor, de-connect the electrical, and uninstall the base — again. Only this time around, I accidentally strip one of the screws. A call to my dad and a pair of pliers later, the stripped screw is out. Turns out that screw somehow got bent as well.
On to Lowe’s. I decided to go to the one that’s little farther away from the house because there’s also a Home Depot right across the street. I find the replacement screws, but decide to double-check with an employee that I have the correct ones since handywork isn’t my forte (as Monica correctly pointed out earlier). The employee says the ones I picked out weren’t the right ones. Got the correct ones, paid, and drove home.
Whew! Caught a break, right? Nope.
Got home, went upstairs, and attempted to start over again for the third time.. except that the screws I just bought didn’t fit. Just my luck. I notice some text on the electrical box where the screws go.. 10-32.. the exact size screw I had originally picked out earlier at Lowe’s. Figures. So back to Lowe’s I go, but this time to the closer location.
Back home again to install the fan.. for the fourth time.
Except that this time.. all goes as it should. Fan correctly installed.. finally.
Before:
Katie Lynn during:
After:
Final tally:
| Fans Installed: | 1 | |
| Install Attempts: | 4 | |
| Stripped Screws: | 1 | |
| Trips to Lowe’s: | 2 | |
| Quarters Missed of the Mavericks Game: | 1.5 | |
| Hours to Completion: | 5 | |
| Fan Installed for my Precious Daughter: | Priceless |
For everything else, there’s a handyman.
Only 2 more to go upstairs.
Sounds like new projects for the Grandpas!! One for Granddad Wes and one for Heypa Bill!! At least you get to catch the rest of the game Tom!! And the new fan really looks good – and the bordello light fixture really does look bad, in comparison!
hugs,
Grams to KL
You did a GREAT job!! Congratulations!
Don’t worry, Tom. It took me 5 trips to Lowe’s when I was replacing our kitchen sink: had to replace water lines, had to replace hot/cold water valves, bought wrong valves, plumber’s putty dried out….not a fun time. I feel your pain.
Larry
Classic.
My life perfectly described.
Hey Babe, you need to stick to your computers. LOL
Love ya!
Dru Mama
I couldn’t agree more about that last statement Tom…a handyman would be nice to have around for these times.
Thanks for the link from FB on this. Made my night but the more disturbing part now for me is that Donna (wife) wants us to go ‘shopping’ for a new one tomorrow. Shopping?! That’s what they have computers for! Ack! :/