760-814-1850
    info@1850realty.com

1850 Realty ®1850 Realty ®

We Help You Buy and Sell in North County San Diego

  • Communities
    • Cardiff
    • Carlsbad
    • Del Mar
    • Encinitas
    • Escondido
    • Fallbrook
    • Oceanside
    • Poway
    • Home
    • Ramona
    • Rancho Bernardo
    • Rancho Santa Fe
    • San Marcos
    • Solana Beach
    • Valley Center
    • Vista
  • Blog
  • Why 1850?
  • Join us!

House Hacking: Project Gone Awry 1

House Hacking Gone Awry 1

It can happen to anyone. You plot out an improvement, buy the required parts and tools, and get to work. Only to find later that your kit is missing something or not functioning properly. It happens very infrequently, but the effort to remedy the situation can become oppressive in some circumstances. How do you go about fixing “the fix?”

In one recent episode, we were upgrading a ceiling fan to a different style to more accurately match our decor. This was in November of 2008 (which is of significance…) Having been exposed to Casablanca Fans, it was a difficult move to try another brand. They are know to be one of, if not the premier manufacturer in the business. Their lifetime motor warranty and prices reflect that. We already owned two, and they have provided years of trouble free service. Change wasn’t easy, but the style we wanted wasn’t available at the time.

71GuUIYcJoL._SX522_

After some research, we fell in love with a style from Minka Fan, also a top notch company in the industry. Before purchasing we hit up Google searches to see reviews and any complaints about functionality. Primarily was the dual sets of lighting, to help in illuminate the master bedroom. A trip to our local Expo, the now defunct luxury arm of Home Depot, had the fan we wanted in stock. We took it home to install, which is a short project for an existing fan junction box.

Setup was easy! It takes longer to unbox and unwrap the parts than it does to assemble the blades and hang the fan. Powered on, worked like a charm. We moved the Casablanca fan to anther room that did not have a fan, but did have a fan ready j-box. Cleaned up the packing, put away the tools, and left the new fan on high to break-in.

2014-09-21_1005

Having experience installing many a fan before, it does pay to read the installation material. As found right in the Minka manual, as displayed above. “Allow a 24 hour ‘break-in'” is to help get the juices flowing, like letting the brushes in the fan motor burn off any burrs and set up to the commutator. A few of the fans we installed previously were exceptionally noisy in this period, but were silent after a break in.

A day, two, three, then a week go by. Fan is noisy. No problem, Expo had a best in class return policy. Packed up the fan, exchanged it for fan #2. Install, rinse and repeat. Another few days, then another trip to Expo. Fan #3 is purchased, at which time Expo told me that they were not going to honor any more returns on the item, and I would have to deal with the manufacturer directly. Which incidentally was the opposite policy that Minka held with their retailers. All we wanted was a fan that didn’t hum, and two other fans in the house proved it was indeed attainable.

After pinging the company via it’s contact form a few times, we were finally emailed directly by a customer service rep. Immediately the issues related could not possibly be three defective units in a row. Statistically nil. Must be the house, the wiring, the frequency/voltage from the power company… Not the house, not the wiring, and not a power issue. Luckily cell phone technology had been rapidly improving, and I was able to take a video (primarily for the audio) to email back.

I got a ladder, and help to cycle the fan on and off for the video. If you turn the volume up, you can hear the hum pretty well. Which is the opposite of what you want with a fan on overnight above your bed. The rep agreed that in no way was the noise normal. The only option? Return to place of purchase. They did not have a system at the time to receive the part directly for service, which is what we were pushing for to come to a resolution. So back to Expo!

By January of 2009, Expo announced the closing of the brand. They agreed to take the fan back, thank goodness! In the two month period, Casablanca released a new model. It was not exactly what we wanted, but similar. A compromise was made, and the special order was put in.

2014-09-21_1029

The Bel Air Halo finally made it, a week before Expo was to close. We had to purchase with Expo, due to the fact that they would not issue a cash refund on the prior fan due to closing, just store credit. Install, rinse and repeat. Again. While going through the break in period, this fan also hummed. “You have got to be kidding me!” Casablanca has an extensive repair network, and an authorized center was only 10 minutes away. Fan came down, and off to the service center.

Fan Diego happily warrantied the motor for us. The hum was gone!!! After four fans, two manufacturers and a fifth motor, we were finally done with this project. Nearly six years later, the current model is still performing flawlessly, just like the other three Casablanca fans in the home. Persistence pays off, especially when you are up against a statistical anomaly that looks like a one in a million chance.

Have a home improvement SNAFU to share or would like featured? Let us know: email info@1850realty.com

 

 

 

Posted in: Blog, House Hacks-Tips and Tricks

Post navigation

« Complete list of Open Houses this weekend 9/20/2014-9/21/2014 in North County
Dream Home: 100 Harbor Drive #4102, San Diego 92101 »

Favorites

House Hacks
Open Houses
Things to Do
How to Buy
How to Sell
*Photo Removal*

Home Valuation Tool

Search Homes by City:

  • Cardiff
  • Carlsbad
  • Del Mar
  • Encinitas
  • Escondido
  • Fallbrook
  • Oceanside
  • Poway
  • Ramona
  • Rancho Bernardo
  • Rancho Santa Fe
  • San Marcos
  • Solana Beach
  • Valley Center
  • Vista

I Want More Info:

* indicates required field






1850 Realty

1 day ago

1850 Realty

📣PRICE REDUCTION!! Over $20k savings!! 🙀🏡💰

Check out 433SilverShadow.com for more info on this house in San Marcos CA 🏡 ☀️

New new price $675,000! That’s $14k off the original asking price 🔽

Ask about our BUYER INCENTIVE 💲💲💲💲💰

Open this Saturday 2/16 from 11AM-2PM, stop by and see for yourself.

#realestate #sandiegorealestate #homeforsale #sandiegorealtor #northcountysd #gatedcommunity #homeownership
...

📣PRICE REDUCTION!! Over $20k savings!! 🙀🏡💰Check out 433SilverShadow.com for more info on this house in San Marcos CA 🏡 ☀️New new price $675,000! That’s $14k off the original asking price 🔽Ask about our BUYER INCENTIVE  💲💲💲💲💰Open this Saturday 2/16 from 11AM-2PM, stop by and see for yourself.#realestate #sandiegorealestate #homeforsale #sandiegorealtor #northcountysd #gatedcommunity #homeownership
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google PlusShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 2
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

 

Comment on Facebook

1850 Realty

2 days ago

1850 Realty

Are you house hunting this weekend? Take a look at our complete list of open houses this Saturday & Sunday in #Carlsbad #Oceanside #Vista #Escondido #SanMarcos #Fallbrook: 1850realty.com/complete-list-of-open-houses-2-16-2019-2-17-2019-in-north-county-san-diego/ ...

Are you house hunting this weekend? Take a look at our complete list of open houses this Saturday & Sunday in #Carlsbad #Oceanside #Vista #Escondido #SanMarcos #Fallbrook: http://1850realty.com/complete-list-of-open-houses-2-16-2019-2-17-2019-in-north-county-san-diego/
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google PlusShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 2
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

 

Comment on Facebook

1850 Realty shared San Diego Deals and Steals's post.

2 days ago

1850 Realty

IKR?!? 😂😅☔️We Are Closed ...

IKR?!? 😂😅☔️
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google PlusShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 14
  • Shares: 2
  • Comments: 3

 

Comment on Facebook

Allison Brumbach Boss

I agree! 😑🌧

Sooooooooo much rain!

+ View previous comments

1850 Realty

3 days ago

1850 Realty

Happy Valentine’s Day! 💗 ...

Happy Valentine’s Day! 💗
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google PlusShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 4
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

 

Comment on Facebook

1850 Realty

4 days ago

1850 Realty

Considering a kitchen remodel? 🤔Here are five great tips to future-proof your investment!

1️⃣ Stick with white cabinets
2️⃣ Choose shaker-style cabinets
3️⃣ Choose subway tile backsplash
4️⃣ Put in hardwood flooring
5️⃣ Go with marble countertops

Thanks to #CARealtors for dropping some knowledge. #kitchenremodel #homeimprovement #homeowners #kitchendesign #kitchencabinets #kitchenrenovation
...

Considering a kitchen remodel? 🤔Here are five great tips to future-proof your investment!1️⃣ Stick with white cabinets
2️⃣ Choose shaker-style cabinets
3️⃣ Choose subway tile backsplash
4️⃣ Put in hardwood flooring
5️⃣ Go with marble countertopsThanks to #CARealtors for dropping some knowledge. #kitchenremodel #homeimprovement #homeowners #kitchendesign #kitchencabinets #kitchenrenovation
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google PlusShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 11
  • Shares: 3
  • Comments: 3

 

Comment on Facebook

I have to disagree with marble as a countertop... Marble is fragile and it stains very easily. It’s worth spending the extra money for quarts countertops that is more durable

I only did the floor right according to this. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE my kitchen!!

I can help with a renovation loan!

+ View previous comments

Load more
760-814-1850
info@1850realty.com

904 West San Marcos Blvd #4, San Marcos CA 92078

1850 Realty ®
California BRE #01946868
© 2019
Disclaimer