Lubricate your bathroom vent fan

Your bathroom vent fan stays cooler and quieter if you keep it well oiled.


OverviewDust, lint and other airborne particles can build up on your bathroom vent fan’s moving parts — making it run hotter and louder. Regular maintenance keeps your fan in great shape for years to come.

Steps

1. Turn off the power to the circuit for the fan. Remove the fan’s cover by pinching the springs or releasing the screws that hold it in place on the housing. If paint holds the edges of the cover to the ceiling, run a utility knife around the edge of the housing to break the paint seal.
2. Remove the motor. In most fans, a metal bracket connects the motor to the fan’s housing, so remove the screws that connect the bracket to the housing. Some fans are connected to a metal plate that you release by squeezing a tab or removing a screw. While removing the motor, support the fan with one hand to keep it from dropping suddenly.
3. Disconnect the power supply to your fan. If it’s plugged into a socket, unplug it. If wires connect your fan through the ceiling, unscrew the wire nuts holding the wires together and separate the wires. Pay special attention to the way the fan’s wires are connected so you can easily reconnect them when you reinstall the fan — you might want to snap a picture with your digital camera.
4. Clean the fan thoroughly. Brush off any loose dust and grime with a small paintbrush; if it’s extremely dirty, use a vacuum cleaner.
5. Next, remove the fan’s blade and wash it with soapy water. Wipe the motor’s exterior with a damp rag and cleaning solution, and vacuum the dust from the fan’s housing in the ceiling.
6. Oil the fan. Find the point where the shaft holds the motor and wipe away any dust or grime. Put a few drops of number 30 oil on both ends of the shaft where it sticks out of the motor. Then turn the shaft a few times with your hand and wipe up any excess oil running down the shaft.
7. Put the blade back on the shaft and make sure it spins easily.
8. Dry the fan and reconnect it to the housing and power supply. Test the blade with your fingers by spinning it to make sure it’s not rubbing anything. Adjust as necessary.
9. Put the ceiling cover back in place, turn the circuit on and test your fan. Your fan should be quieter and cleaner.

Tips & warnings

• Work on your fan during daylight hours so you have plenty of natural light.
• If the motor shaft seems loose or wobbles when you spin it, your fan may have worn bearings and need repairs.

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