You are going to need a few things first; a ladder to reach your unit but make sure this is not big or small so that you are towering over your unit or even struggling to reach it.  Your voltage tester so that you know if there are any live wires on; your screwdriver to remove your vent cover and of course your new motor.

You need to start off by knowing if there is any power going into your vent; you can do this when you see your vent is not working at all.  You could have a fault with your electricity to the vent so if your vent is connected to your light switch also then test that out to see what is the problem, it could be a fuse has blown which can be fixed easily or it could be something else.

If you find that your switch is not connected to your light then you need to start with your switch and removing the cover that is over your switch.  Take out the two screws that keep it in place and then you will see your wiring inside.  You could see if everything looks fine and is connected properly and if you think it is then take your voltage meter and see if you have any power at all.

Next you need to take out your old motor; you need to make sure that there is no power going into your vent or it is connected to any power source because you could find yourself getting a nasty shock.  So you need to remove your protect plate first to get to your motor, this will be held in place with some screws usually so these are easy to remove.

You need to know the make of your motor to get your replacement.

Now you are going to have to put in your motor.  This is easy to do, how you have removed your old motor will be reversed so your plate is removed and your wheel blower has also been removed also revealing your motor.  Now you can put your motor in, replace your wheel blower and your plate.

You can check to see if the unit is working now or not.

Before you do so however you might want to think about cleaning the vent out since you have got the cover open; there is probably a lot of dust there so you can easily clean that out with a cloth or even a vacuum cleaner.  You need to wash and dry everything properly before you replace your cover onto your vent.

Now if you have tested your bathroom vent after putting in a new motor and it is still not working then the problem has not been with your motor.  It could be something to do with your exhaust pipe; so you are going to have to check this out.

Your exhaust pipe is what helps take out the air from your room and out of the home, so it might not be actually connected so you might have to make sure it is and then look for any type of rips or tears in the pipe.  If there are you need to repair this and then see if the fan works now.

If you find that there are no noises when you fan is on then your unit is working great but if you find that there are a lot of noises then you should think or rather know that you have problems with your unit.

If you do feel that you have some repair work needed to be done then here are a few things which you can look out for and know to help you repair your exhaust fan.

Now you won’t find anything out by just staring the unit itself you are going to have to look inside.  So you need to remove your cover; this is easy to do however because your grilles or covers will be held into place with either a clip or screw which either are easy to remove.  You might need your screwdriver for this part however.

If you are working near your light in your bathroom then switch off the power and light because you might need to remove the bulb to look at any problems and if it is not then you will find it is hot and will burn yourself and getting burnt on a light bulb is a very serious and painful thing to happen so please be careful.

A lot of the times it is a problem with your motor in the unit which is causing all of the problems so if it is then you are going to have to replace the old motor with a new motor so you are going to have to follow a few steps first.

• Your motor works by electricity and therefore is going to be plugged into your housing box which will need to be detached.  Your motor should be removed from your box by removing any of the electrical wires keeping that in place.
• You need to take out your fan housing box because it will probably be a little dirty and will need cleaned out properly so take some time and clean this out.
• You should find the model or serial number of your fan which should be helpful with you when it comes to finding out about getting a new one.  It could say where you should be going to get your new motor.
• When you buy your new motor which should be from an electrical or home improvement store then you can take home and start to install the new one.
• You will need to put your housing box back into place so that you can attach your new motor to it with the wiring that needs to be done.  Your plug will also have to be attached to this fan housing box also.

• You put your motor into where the original stood and now you can put your grille back into place and test out the exhaust fan to make sure that it is working again.

When it comes to taking some precautions when you have your exhaust fans then there could be a few to take in to consideration because these are sensitive things when you really know these.  They were made to be that way so you should know a few things.

When you are going to repair your unit then you always have to have some form of safety items; now these should be to protect your eyes so goggles would be the most appropriate things to have so that if there is any debris falling down while you work, you won’t get any into your eyes.

The next thing you should know is that before you even think about doing any repair work then it should be that all of the power to the room and for safety to your home is off so that you don’t have any kinds of accidents in your home either to you or anyone else in your home.

Your evaporative fans are really a swamp cooler but this is their proper title however; this takes use of a water supply with a reservoir so that it use that to help bring air into your home instead of electricity with it generating air into a home.

If you find that you have problems with your unit then you might have to carry out some repair works.

What you are required to purchase;

• Filter basket
• New pump hose
• Bleed tee, Bleed tee cap and Bleed line
• Pliers
• Screwdriver
• New water pump
• Pump hose clamps

Your first step is to know what is exactly wrong with your unit; so you need to get access to the inside of the fan.  You need to remove your panel at the side of your evaporative fan so that you get to your water pump.  Your pump should be on and when it is then you will have to remove your hose to see if there are any problems with that hose.

Your second step will be to turn off all power to your unit so that you are going to be working with electricity so you need to switch all power off first.  You also need to unplug the fan also so that you don’t get injured working with the unit because you could get injured trying to repair your water pump if the electricity is still active.

Your third step will be to take out your hose clamp; take your pliers to your edge of your hose clamps.  You need to keep on moving these clamps unit you can remove your clamps out from the hose itself.  Now you can remove your bleed line and you should see it going through to your roof; you should know that this is going to be around the bleed tee and almost a quarter of an inch long.

Now you can put your new water pump in; to finish off repairing your evaporative fan then you will need to put your new water pump into the fan.  You will need to put this to your evaporative fan to your tee; your bleed tee will need to be connected to your pump with the other end attached to your water distributor.  Now all of the other parts can be put back into the right order in which you removed them.

You can turn the power back on as well as the plug back into place and then test to see if your repairs have done any good or not.

Sometimes it can be that when you have problems with your thermostat then you are going to have to see what you can do to get it working again, either fixing or even most of the times replacing the actual thermostat.  When that happens then it really is hard to do and get your head around because not everyone will know how this unit works and how you really should be removing this and replacing the old one with a new one.  If you do your installation wrong then you are going to have to do a lot of correcting when it comes to your thermostat and if you get it wrong then you are going to have a lot of trouble.

You could do a lot of damage to your unit so if you really are unsure about this then call in a professional but if you think you could handle the process then read on and understand these few steps to help you with replacing the cooling thermostat.

What different materials and tools that you are going to need;

• Masking tape
• Plastic anchors
• Screwdriver
• Pliers
• Replacement Thermostat
• Wire cutters
• Screws
• Spirit level

Your first step will be to prepare for your work; so start by switching your power supply off first and then make sure the thermostat is also disconnected.  You will need to look for your off switch which instructs you if the thermostat is off or not; you need all power cut to your unit especially the thermostat.  You might have to look for your circuit breaker which supplies all the power into the room and disconnect from there; you don’t want any live electricity flowing through your unit.

Your second step will be to take out your old thermostat; now this is simple to do however because you are going to have to remove your screws in that thermostat and taking it off from your thermostat plate.  There will be wires connecting to your old thermostat so you are going to have to remove them first to remove the thermostat first.

Now you will have to install your thermostat; all of your wires connecting the thermostat should be done correctly to your thermostat mounting plate.  Now wiring them is very tricky thing to do perhaps especially when you are working with electrical; you need to put your green wires to your green plug then to your yellow and red wires the same.  If you are unsure about any wiring issues then you should think about getting someone who really knows what they are doing with electricity.
Your last step will be to finish your installation; you have to put your wires into place to connect to the thermostat to your unit.  You need to make sure that your thermostat is secure which will usually be a few screws; if you don’t install this right then you will probably have to reinstall the thermostat again.

You need to put your spirit level in carefully so be careful.

What you need to get;

• Tin snips
• Metal duct collar
• Vacuum
• Exterior Dryer vent

• Measuring tape
• Silicone caulk and caulking gun
• Foil Tape
• Metal screws
• Dryer Vent hose
• Electric drill

Your first step – to inspect your vent

You should know that your ventilation hose is connected to your outside wall of your home.  You need to search all parts of the vent from your outside wall to the hose so that you can see if there is anything damage to the hose; if there is then you are going to have to replace the part.  You need to know all the right measurements of the hose so that you know if you need to replace that then you can get the right sized hose.

Second step – taking out the old vent

You have got all of your new parts so now you can take out your dryer vent and disassemble it and put it into the bin.  You will need to take out your external vent but you need the collar for your new vent so remember to keep this.

You should clean out any lint that is in the dryer vent and you should think about cleaning this out often so that you can lessen the risk of a fire breaking out.

Third step – start your preparation of your new vent

You need to put your vent where your old one went and for the new screws you are going to have to install then you will need to use some screws so you need to mark out where they are going to be going.  You should get your metal collar cut down to size with some tin snips.

Fourth step – to install your vent

You are going to have to put your new collar into your dryer vent and putting your vent back into position again.  You will need to keep this in place with silicone caulk and as well as some screws also; you don’t want any leakages so you need to have the entire vent secured to the wall.

Last step – attaching your hose

To replace your dryer vent then you will need to reconnect your dryer to your exterior vent so that the air circulates back out of your home.  You are going to have to take away your old hose but this is quite easy to do you just need to pull it off from your dryer.

You are going to have to take your new hose which you bought earlier and put this back into your dryer.  You want to put this to your external vent but you need to keep this hose straight without bending it or twisting it otherwise you won’t have a good enough air circulation through.  You are going to have to put your collar and attach it to your dryer hose; you should keep these in place with the use of some metal clamps or even some duct tape.

You could get a professional in to help you fix your problems or if you would like to save yourself some money then you could fix your vent yourself.  Here is how you could.

What you need;

• Dryer vents hose
• Metal shears
• Exterior dryer vent
• Caulk
• Metal clamps
• Drilling machine
• Vacuum cleaner
• Metal duct collar
• Duct tape
• Metal screws

Checking over your dryer ventilation system

You should start off by looking over and inspecting your dryer completely so that you know what the problems are and what has to be fixed or replaced.

Buying your new materials

You are going to have to go out and buy what you are going to need so it could mean that there are only one or two parts that you need or it could be that you get an all piece kit.

The materials

YOU NEED to know the different materials that you have with your vent including your duct collar, hose – which will be aluminum and a rigid metal also.  These are needed for keeping your vent working.

Finding your metal clamps

You will either have tape or clamps which are keeping the hose attached to your dryer so you to locate your clamps to find your collar also.

Cleaning the dryer vent

You need to start cleaning out the built up vent which could be inside your vent so you will need a smaller vacuum cleaner to do this.

Marking out the areas in which you want to drill in the future

Now you need to know where you wish to drill for your holes to attach your vent so mark out the places you wish to place them.

Cutting your collar

You should have a new collar but try to remember to get the same color but if your new one is not the right size then you are going to have to cut that down to size meaning you will need your metal shears to do so.

Your collar and vent

You will have to take your collar and put it back into your vent and put that back to your vent.

You need to put your vent back onto your wall

You will need to take a drill to make a few holes so that you can fix your vent to your wall again.

Applying your caulk

If you still think there are some leaks to the hose so you are going to have to get some caulk and add that to your vent so that it stops any leakages in the hose.

You need to replace your hose

You will need to replace your old hose with a new hose; when you do this then you should be sure that you don’t really bend the hose a lot and keep it as straight as possible so that there aren’t any possible damages to the new hose.

You need to secure your hose

You will need to get your metal clamps or even some duct tape which will go at the end of your hose it is that simple.  Now you have fixed your hose and what is even better is that you don’t have to go out and buy a new one or spend hundreds on getting a repair man in to do the work.

What you are going to need;

• A wrench
• A screwdriver
• Some oil
• Or grease
• Your new swamp cooler motor
• New belt if you need to replace that also.

To install your new swamp cooler motor then you are going to have to get rid of the old one first but don’t worry that is not as daunting as you might think.  You are going to have to get access to your cooler so remove the protective grille or plate which should be held in place with some screws; so once you have done that then you can actually see inside the vent and get into also to start the process.

There should be some wires connecting to your motor which you will remove and then put them to one side and deal with the bolts next.  There will be a lot actually which keeps your motor in place so you will need your wrench for this part to remove them and then take out your belt also.

You should replace the belt if you think that there is any damage to it or is just looking a bit old so it is best to stay safe when it comes to your swamp cooler parts and not just checking on the motor.  If you need a new belt then you will install this before your motor goes back into place so don’t worry about that now.  You will remove all bolts and then remove your motor from their brackets and then you can take it out of the cooler.

Now that have you bought your new motor you can now install  it; you want to put it back into the old place as your original one so you need to place it into the swamp cooler and find the bolts that keep the motor in place and secure them also through the brackets.  You should also move the bolt which keeps your pulley in its place so that is secure.

You have to put your belt back into place; now if you have bought a new one then it is fine also, it is good to freshen up your parts.  You will need to reattach your belt by putting it over your pulley and the motor and then back into place.

You might find that you have to remove your motor for this part though hopefully not; you should make sure that the belt is secure in place by making sure that it is tight and not able to move freely.
Now you are going to have to reattach your wires to your motor; this should be done safely so always consult your manual for this part but you really should be just putting the back as how you found them originally.

You can now test your swamp cooler to see if everything is working or not and then reattach your casing on your cooler and then you are done.

When you have this system in your home then it is very simple to understand actually; they help save you a lot of money and energy instead of using the usual air conditioning systems.  Any hot air from outside will be filtered through into the system passing through wet pads which filters the air into cool air and then comes in through the vent and into your home without a lot of hassle for you.

If you don’t have access to an air conditioning system in the house then these can really be a great substitute for you to have especially during the summer months.

If you do find that your cooler pump is not working as it should be then replacing is probably your only option but it isn’t as bad you as you might think to fix this problem.  You will need the follow however to start;

• Pump hose
• Replacement pads
• Ring clamps
• Screwdriver
• Replacement pump
• Warm water
• Pliers
• Water pump filter basket
• Lubrication oil
• Towel
• Detergent
• Soft brush

Your first step will be to stop all power coming to and from your swamp cooler so you need to shut off all of the power.

Your next step will be to remove your water pump but that means finding it first so you need to look inside your system.  You can get access through your side panel but it is attached by some screws so take your screwdriver and remove all of the screws and put them on some tape and wrap them up in the tape so that you don’t misplace your screws.

You need to remove your panel and you will see a number of things which you are going to have to remove.  These will be you water pads; your hose which needs to be unplugged because that is actually connected to your water pump so you are going to have to remove this by getting your pliers and removing the brackets under the pump keeping it in place.

Now you need to put in your new pump; the installation part is actually quite easy to do however; so take your new water pump and get yourself a mesh filter bag and put that into your bag, your pump should be going into your filter bag.  You can do this to help your unit working better and smoother.

You need to put your water pump into your water reservoir and reattach your pump to the brackets and hose.  You will have to put in two hose ring clamps – one on either side to keep the pump secure but this should be a few inches from the end of your hose.

You need to locate your output and place your hose onto it at your water pump; your next end should have been connected to your distributor of water near your water pads.  You need to keep the hose secure by putting the clamp on the hose and keeping them tight on your hose.

Next it could be that you think about checking on the maintenance of your unit now that you are here anyway.  You should know what is working and what needs cleaned or replaced so that you can keep account of anything needed to be done.

You should take out all the water from your water tray and clean that you hot soapy water with an added bit of detergent; then you could use the brush and if there are any stubborn dirt still left remove it.  You should dry off the tray and then replace it once more.

Add a little bit of oil or grease to your fan to help it run better and even if you put in a few new water pads.  You should always check on your water levels also.

Your real last step should be to put your panel back into place.  Reattach your screws and then turn the power back on and the unit should be working as good as new again.

You can cut polybutylene tube with a sharp knife or a hacksaw. However, for speed of operation and to ensure an absolutely square cut pipe end every time, the manufacturers recommend that you use their specially designed pipe shears. It would certainly be worthwhile investing in a pair of these shears before embarking on a major project that involved the making of a large number of joints.

You can join polybutylene tubing by using either non-manipulative (Type ‘A’) compression joints (as used with copper), or else the manufacturer’s own patent push-fit connectors. One of the advantages of being able to use Type ‘A’ compression joints with tubing is that it enables you to replace a length of copper pipe with polybutylene tubing using the existing compression tee or coupling.

When using polybutylene tubing with this type of joint the procedure you follow is identical to that which you adopt with copper pipe. But in order to prevent the collapse of the tube end when the cap-nut is tightened, you must insert a purpose-made stainless steel support sleeve into it. And if you use jointing compound to complete a threaded fitting connected to polybutylene pipe, make sure none comes into contact with the polybutylene

The patent polybutylene joints and fittings are available in the usual range of straight couplings, tees, elbows, reducing fittings and tap and tank connectors, and in appearance they resemble their brass compression counterparts. But there is one important difference – you don’t have to loosen or unscrew the cap-nuts to make a joint. To make a connection you simply have to push the prepared pipe end into the fitting. Polybutylene fittings have one further advantage in that they allow you to rotate a pipe that has been inserted into one of them, even when it is filled with water. This means, for example, that a polybutylene stop-valve can rest neatly against a wall until you need to use it. You then pull the handle away from the wall so you can open and close it easily.

Polybutylene pipe and fittings

1 The best way to cut polybutylene pipe is with the manufacturer’s shears. Alternatively, you can cut polybutylene pipe with a hacksaw or a sharp knife.

2 Before jointing the pipe, insert a stainless steel support sleeve into the pipe end. This prevents the tube end getting crushed within the fitting.

3 Polybutylene pipe can be used with ordinary compression fittings. Within a polybutylene fitting a grab ring holds the pipe in place, while an ‘O’ ring ensures a watertight seal.

4 The witness lines on the body of the fitting indicate the length of pipe hidden within it when the joint is assembled. Remember to allow for this.

5 Before inserting polybutylene pipe into a polybutylene fitting, apply a special lubricant to both the pipe end and the interior of the socket.

6 The pipe can be withdrawn only if you unscrew the cap-nut. To re-use the joint, crush and discard the grab ring, and then replace it with a new one.

Why wouldn’t everyone switch to fluorescent lighting? Buying the new fixtures would cost quite a bit, making the payback in savings a long time off.

However, there are now fluorescent bulbs that have a tiny built in ballast and screw into a lamp or fixture socket. This gives you an inexpensive way to try fluorescent lighting and see if you like the kind of light it produces. Some people don’t.

Fluorescent repair

If you turn on a fluorescent fixture and the tube doesn’t light up, here are some things to check:

1. Is there current to the circuit? Check for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker switch.

2. If the tube isn’t properly inserted in the lamp holder at each end, no electricity is reaching the tube.

3. If your fixture requires a starter, replace it with the proper size starter.

4. If you have another fixture that uses the same size tube, switch them and you’ll find out if the tube is burned out.

Sometimes a fluorescent tube blinks or flickers. Before it drives you crazy, check these things:

1. If it’s a new tube, the problem should go away shortly. In fact, shut the fixture off and back on, and the problem may solve itself instantly.

2. Check the lamp holder and the pins on the end of the tube for corrosion. Light sanding will eliminate this. If the pins are bent, use pliers to gently straighten them.

3. The problem may be in the starter, or the tube may be going bad.

If the tube is just partially lighting-for example, the ends are dark, or there’s no light in the middle, try these things:

1. Reverse the tube end for end.

2. Shut off power to the unit and check the wiring and all connection^, starting at the ballast.

3. Try a new starter.

If the fixture starts to hum, it may mean the ballast is going out. Check the wiring, and if that doesn’t help, be prepared to buy and replace the ballast. It should be wired in just as the old one was.