Timeline for How can I remove an electrical box that's screwed into a ceiling joist without attic access?
Current License: CC BY-SA 4.0
9 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 23, 2020 at 15:20 | vote | accept | you786 | ||
| Jul 21, 2020 at 18:35 | comment | added | Jim Stewart | One way to remove the box is to cut the screws with a hacksaw blade. Wrapping a rag around the blade allows it to be gripped with a hand. Position the rag so that the blade doesn't go too far into the space; just enough to reach the screws plus enough to allow sawing back and forth. | |
| Jul 21, 2020 at 18:24 | comment | added | you786 | I checked the manual and it specifically mentions that you can't use a non-fan-rated electrical box for installation, and it doesn't mention anything about using a direct connection to a joist. That seems like it would have been a lot easier, though! | |
| Jul 21, 2020 at 16:55 | comment | added | Jim Stewart | The Hunter fan support bracket can be installed on the surface of the drywall or other ceiling directly under the joist. Special long (lag) screws go through the drywall and deep into the joist. The electrical junction box is offset from the axis of the fan and is not used to support the fan. The same Hunter bracket can be used with the fan rated boxes and in that case the long wood screws are not used. | |
| Jul 21, 2020 at 16:35 | comment | added | Jim Stewart | Have you read the instructions for your Hampton Bay fan? It might have the feature the Hunter does. I installed several Hunters in a relative's house and kept the existing light duty boxes in place. I followed the instructions to the letter. | |
| Jul 21, 2020 at 16:28 | comment | added | you786 | The fan is a Hampton bay one. Interesting, so Hunter have a bracket that supports the fan via the joist... thinking How do you install the bracket if you don't remove the existing box? | |
| Jul 21, 2020 at 16:18 | comment | added | Jim Stewart | What brand of fan do you want to install? Hunter have a bracket which would install using the box you have by using special screws which go into the joist. The box is not used to hold the fan but only the wires. The fan shroud is large enough to hide the box which is off center since the fan is then centered on the joist. Of course if this is not in the center of the room and that is important, the you would want to remove the box and install one on a bridging bar. | |
| Jul 21, 2020 at 14:46 | answer | added | FreeMan | timeline score: 3 | |
| Jul 21, 2020 at 14:05 | history | asked | you786 | CC BY-SA 4.0 |