Electrical Repairs & Fault Finding
Extractor & Ceiling Fan Repairs in Surrey & London
Fan repairs cover extractor and ceiling fans that are noisy, run constantly, will not start or no longer clear the steam. Diagnosis and a simple repair usually take an hour or so, and a replacement fan a little longer. A like-for-like replacement rarely needs certification, while any change to the wiring is certified.
Fans fail quietly: they get noisy, run all the time, or stop altogether, and the damp comes back. Sometimes the fix is a clean and a new motor; sometimes a replacement makes more sense. The fan, its timer or sensor and the duct are all checked before deciding which.
Typical work
- Extractor fans that rattle, hum or have stopped
- Fans that run constantly or never switch on
- Faulty timers and humidity sensors
- Ceiling fan repairs and replacements
What the job involves
The fan is isolated and opened up to check the motor, the impeller, the backdraught shutter and the controls. Many problems come from dirt: a fan clogged with dust and fluff moves little air and strains the motor. The duct is checked as well, because a crushed, disconnected or very long duct makes even a good fan ineffective. Then the wiring, the isolator and the timer or humidity sensor are tested.
Signs you need this
- A rattle, grinding or high-pitched hum when the fan runs
- The fan runs all the time or never switches off
- It does not start, or starts only sometimes
- Steam and condensation are back even though the fan is running
- A ceiling fan wobbles, clicks or will not change speed
Repair or replace?
Fans are often replaced rather than repaired, because a new motor or timer can cost a large share of a new fan, and an older model may be noisier and weaker. A repair makes sense when the fault is a timer, a sensor, a switch or a loose connection, or when the fan is a good unit that just needs cleaning. Where a new fan is the better option it can usually go into the same opening and duct. See extractor fan installation for choosing a replacement.
What affects the cost
Whether the fault is in the fan, its controls or the wiring, how easy the fan is to reach, and whether a replacement fits the existing hole and duct. High ceilings, inline fans in lofts and fans above baths take more time to work on safely. If the fan keeps tripping a circuit, fault finding on the supply may be needed as well.
Where we do this work
Fan Repairs from our base in Redhill, anywhere in Surrey including Redhill, Reigate, Merstham, Nutfield, Bletchingley and the surrounding towns, plus London and nearby counties. Larger commercial jobs further afield are welcome by enquiry. See all areas covered.
Common questions
Is it worth repairing an old extractor fan?
It depends on the fault and the fan. A failed timer, a faulty sensor or a dirty impeller is worth fixing, but a worn motor in an old, noisy fan usually makes a replacement the better value.
Why does my extractor fan keep running?
The overrun timer may be set too long or failing, or a humidity sensor may be faulty or set too sensitive. Adjusting or replacing the control usually fixes it.
Why is my extractor fan so noisy?
Noise usually comes from worn motor bearings, a damaged impeller, a loose fixing or a flapping shutter. A clean sometimes helps, but worn bearings mean a new fan.
My fan runs but the bathroom still steams up. Why?
The fan may be too small for the room, clogged, or connected to a duct that is crushed, disconnected or too long. The duct and airflow are checked before replacing the fan.
Can you repair a wobbly ceiling fan?
Usually. Wobble comes from loose blade fixings, unbalanced blades or a loose ceiling mount, and the mount must be secure before the fan is used again.
Is a fan that has stopped working dangerous?
Not always, but a fan that smells hot, shows scorch marks or trips the circuit should be switched off at its isolator. It should be checked before it is used again.
Ready to talk about your electrical work?
Tell Joe what you need and where you are, and he will come back to you with a clear quote. Call, send a WhatsApp message, or use the quote form.