Our clients in Santa Barbara often call us for electrical needs, especially concerns about our ceiling fan service.
They frequently report that their ceiling fans are making grinding noises and ask how to fix a noisy ceiling fan. So, as localized experts who can solve this problem for our happy clients, we’re here to help on a national scale through this blog post.
Why Does My Ceiling fan making grinding noise?
The short answer to this is that it’s usually caused by one of two things: the fan blades are not balanced, or the motor bearings need lubrication. However, there can be another internal issue that may be causing your ceiling fan to produce a grinding noise.
If you have ruled out any issues with the blades, it is most likely an issue with the ceiling fan motor. Over time, the bearings in the motor can become dried out and require lubrication to function correctly.
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How To Fix a Ceiling fan which is making grinding noise
Fix No 1: (When Blades Are Out Of Balance)
If you have determined that the blades are out of balance, there are both home remedies and professional solutions to solve the problem.
- One easy solution is to take a look at the blade arms and see if they all are at the same level. If they are not, you can try to bend them, so they are even with each other. This will often fix the problem of an unbalanced ceiling fan. However, we personally at our company don’t promote such a method because it can put extra strain on the motor and cause further damage down the road.
- A better solution is to remove the fan’s blades entirely and clean them. While you have the blades off, check to see if there are any cracks or other damage. If so, you will need to replace them. Once you have the blades back on, ensure they are all tightened correctly and that there is no wiggle room.
Fix No 2: (Lack Of Lubrication)
If you have determined that the issue is with the motor, you can do a few different things. The first is to try and lubricate the bearings. This can be done by using a WD-40 type spray or a similar product. Simply spray it on and then run the ceiling fan for a bit to see if that has fixed the problem.
Fix No 3: (Replacing The Ceiling Fan Motor + Professional Help)
If the lubrication does not fix the issue, then you will likely need to replace the entire motor. Ceiling fan motors are inexpensive and can be found at most hardware stores. However, replacing the motor may require some electrical work, so we recommend calling a professional if you are uncomfortable doing it yourself.
You Can Also Read:
- Can a Wobbly Ceiling Fan Fall Off and injure you? – ( Answered! )
- Why does my ceiling fan wobble dangerous – ( Guide & Fix )
What does Sgelectricsb do?
Our mission is to provide high-quality electrical services in Santa Barbara, Ca.
We offer a wide range of services, including ceiling fan installtion and repair services in Santa Barbara. However, we noticed many people in our area had issues with their ceiling fans making weird grinding noises. So, why not compile a quick guide on how to fix this issue? If you have any other questions about your ceiling fan, feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main difference between a ceiling fan grinding and one buzzing is the pitch of the noise. A grinding noise will usually be a lower pitch, while a buzzing noise will be a higher pitch. Again, this helps the professional to understand what is going on with your ceiling fan.
Not always. A grinding noise is usually caused by an issue with the motor, while a buzzing noise can be caused by either a problem with the motor or the blades. However, both types of noises can be caused by a lack of lubrication in the motor. Wobbling ceiling fans can also cause a buzzing noise.
If a burning smell or smoke accompanies the noise, then you should turn off the ceiling fan immediately and call an electrician. Otherwise, a little bit of noise is not necessarily worth worrying about. However, if the noise is persistent or is getting worse, it is a good idea to inspect the fan and see if there is an issue that needs to be fixed.
