Stripped screws in plastic box with ceiling fan

[spotco2]

I have a ceiling fan upstairs that was mounted to a plastic box and over the past 15 years, the screws have stripped a bit and the fan gets loose from the ceiling a little and wobbles. I can still snug them up but they will not actually tighten once they bottom out.

The plastic box was installed during construction and where it is located is extremely difficult to get to for replacement. Can I just install the next size screws in a plastic box or is there a simple solution?

I'm not going to go up and replace the box from the back side of the sheetrock. I've tried to get in that space before and I just don't fit. It ain't gonna happen. I'll just hang a lightweight fixture and use a box fan first.

Yes, I'm trying to find a quick and dirty way to cheat and fix this without a lot of work on my end.

 

[n8n]

yeah just tap it for a 10-32 and done, is what I would do.

I'm assuming that this actually is a fan rated box yes? if the original screws are 6-32 you really should replace the box with a fan rated box.

 

[spotco2]

I have no clue if it's a fan rated box or not. Is there an easy way to tell?

The electricians put in 2 switches and pulled the wires for a fan with a light, so I assume that they would have installed the correct box but that was 15 years ago and I honestly have no clue.

 

[n8n]

yes - look for the sticker saying that it's fan rated, alternately, a fan or chandelier rated box will use 8-32 screws as opposed to 6-32s commonly used to simply hang a small light fixture. Also commonly fan rated boxes will have two sets of tapped holes, one 6-32 (for light fixtures) and one 8-32 (for fans and heavy chandeliers) although that is not a hard and fast rule.

If this was original construction I would hope that the electricians did it right; sounds like they should have since they pulled an extra conductor for the fan control.

 

[C96]

A ceiling fan should never be installed to a plastic box for this exact reason.

Codes have changed regarding ceiling fan installation and must be installed to a steel box made exclusively for the purpose.

In fact, most new fans won’t mount up to a standard ceiling outlet box any longer.

They do make retrofit outlet boxes for this purpose that can be installed through the existing hole.

You can buy this at any box store.

 

[n8n]

I believe that there are some plastic fan rated boxes available.

However, if there is any question, a retrofit type box as you describe is the easiest solution. The old box can be cut/broken out from below and the new one installed without disturbing the ceiling if you're careful.

 

[Professur]

Is the box mounted to a wooden cross piece, or side mounted to a joist?

 

[taumac]

Ill agree with above with breaking it out but I prefer a metal box myself. There must be wood in ceiling if they mounted a plastic box.

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[spotco2]

Is the box mounted to a wooden cross piece, or side mounted to a joist?

I'm not sure since I can not access the area. If it's like everything else they installed, it's nailed on the side to a joist.

 

[rlitman]

I'm not sure since I can not access the area. If it's like everything else they installed, it's nailed on the side to a joist.

Yeah, that's the final nail in the coffin. You cannot safely hang a fan from that box.

 

[n8n]

can you see through the little gap between the box and drywall?

 

[Professur]

If you drill a small hole right through the bottom and don't hit wood .....

But if you do, just drive long screws right through to support the fan.

 

[Mustang51js]

His problem isn't the box moving,he said the screws are stripped, just use bigger and longer screws and be done with it. Standard screw for the boxes are 8/32 but you could try 10/32. Most fans aren't that heavy to pull the box down,you make have the wrong screws in the first place.

 

[alfredeneuman]

yes - a fan or chandelier rated box will use 8-32 screws as opposed to 6-32s commonly used to simply hang a small light fixture. Also commonly fan rated boxes will have two sets of tapped holes, one 6-32 (for light fixtures) and one 8-32 (for fans and heavy chandeliers) although that is not a hard and fast rule.

Not quite, the fan rated box will have the tapped holes 10-24 or 10-32 for the fan and 8-32 for the other fixtures respectively.

The only things 6-32s are commonly used for are the mounting of receptacles, switches and cover plates.

 

[jhelrey]

Sheet rock screws, haa

 

[fury9]

drill bigger holes through the box and put small toggle bolts in it!

 

[The Cobbler]

Buy a ceiling medallion, cut a circle in the drywall smaller than the OD of the medallion, replace box with a fan rated box, install medallion to cover cut out.

 

[spotco2]

Sheet rock screws, haa

That was my first thought.

 

[6768rogues]

I was in a restaurant once when a fan above an adjacent table fell. A couple of people at that table got in the ambulance with cuts from broken glass. One guy at the table never got up until his beer was gone.

 

[C96]

I was in a restaurant once when a fan above an adjacent table fell. A couple of people at that table got in the ambulance with cuts from broken glass. One guy at the table never got up until his beer was gone.

The power of beer...

 

[landyacht]

It took 15 years to work loose originally. You can probably get another 10 by using bigger screws

 

[Premium08]

Sheet rock screws, haa

Its actually a good idea, probably gonna get a better bite anyways. But if its not a fan box then it really should be replaced, if you're to big to fit in the space above then get someone smaller who can

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[Kevin54]

If the plastic box is for a ceiling fan, the box itself, when looking up at it will have two half holes, instead of one large round hole. That is because the box straddles a rafter.

 

[rlitman]

His problem isn't the box moving,he said the screws are stripped, just use bigger and longer screws and be done with it. Standard screw for the boxes are 8/32 but you could try 10/32. Most fans aren't that heavy to pull the box down,you make have the wrong screws in the first place.

Bigger screws (sheetrock/wood screws included) are an awful idea. Why are you convinced that the threads were simply stripped. A more likely scenario is that the plastic that the screw was screwed into has split. A larger screw will just open the split more (or cause one, if this was not an issue to begin with).

drill bigger holes through the box and put small toggle bolts in it!

Interesting idea. If the box is strong enough to hold the fan up, this just might work.

 

[C96]

Common guys, do you really think trying to mend this problem with different screws is the answer. This box failed because it’s fatigued plastic and not meant for hanging a motorized fan. Do you want to be lying down, sitting, or even standing under a ceiling fan that’s in operation that’s only supported by two little screws retrofitted into a tired plastic box? Not me, at least not knowingly.

This is Garage Journal, we generally over build everything, why are we trying to Mickey Mouse this mans fan mount. We should be telling him he needs to build a new house to support it…

 

[n8n]

sheetrock screws are very hard... meaning also brittle. Wouldn't do it.

If there is any question at all about the integrity or suitability of the box just knock it out and put in one of the retrofit/old work fan rated boxes. Arlington buttons allow you to do the whole job from below; assuming that it's Romex anyway.

 

[kenfath]

Come on guys, do you really think trying to mend this problem with different screws is the answer. This box failed because it’s fatigued plastic and not meant for hanging a motorized fan. Do you want to be lying down, sitting, or even standing under a ceiling fan that’s in operation that’s only supported by two little screws retrofitted into a tired plastic box? Not me, at least not knowingly.

This is Garage Journal, we generally over build everything, why are we trying to Mickey Mouse this mans fan mount. We should be telling him he needs to build a new house to support it…

Best post yet!

 

[Premium08]

Could he also be thinking his plastic box is actually a fiberglass box?

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[knobby]

Could he also be thinking his plastic box is actually a fiberglass box?

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I doubt it as most FG boxes have threaded brass inserts for the cover screws JS

 

[Premium08]

I doubt it as most FG boxes have threaded brass inserts for the cover screws JS

For fan boxes or fg boxes in general. Ive never seen brass inserts. I think op should take a pic of what hes got

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