Vents falling down from the ceiling are slowly becoming a major problem across offices and homes.
More and more people are coming forward on the internet and other platforms to find solutions to this issue. With such prevalence of this issue, it is important to address the problem, find the root cause, and work out a solution.
It is hard to not use ceiling vents as they offer many perks. First, ceiling vents make for an easy and simple solution to many problems as they offer attic installation. Additionally, they also deliver the best cooled air, especially necessary in hot and humid climates. Other than that, installing ceiling vents is a great way of using space otherwise going to waste.
However, with all the benefits, ceiling vents can also come with operational issues. For instance, they tend to fall.
Here’s How to Keep Ceiling Vents from Falling:
There is only one way you can prevent your ceiling vents from falling down, and that is by securing them properly during installation. If you’re worried or unsure about this, try a reliable method to make your vents more secure. Using drywall anchors is the best way of ensuring maximum security. But you can also use other adhesive methods. However, make sure that they are reliable.
Why Do Ceiling Vents Fall?
It is hard to identify a reason why ceiling vents tend to fall. Most of the time, this is a result of specific conditions that differ among people. However, one major reason contributing to this issue is poor installation. Ceiling vents usually fall when they are not installed securely.
How to Secure Ceiling Vents?
You must allow your registers or vent covers to be removable. This suggests that using screws is a much better way than using adhesives for anchoring a vent. Usually, you can attach a vent to ceiling joists on either side of the duct. This ensures the stability of the vent in the ceiling.
However, this layout may also be different in some cases. Many ducts do not properly align with the joists, leaving no room for attachment. In such a situation, attaching your vent directly to the drywall is the only option left.
But, drywall comes with a tendency to crumble, due to its makeup. Therefore, it is important to use anchors that are specially made to suit drywall panels.
Here is how you can secure your vents to the drywall.
Step #1
You can find vents in various materials and standard sizes. The less your vent weighs, the better you can install it in your drywall. So try and select a vent cover that is lightweight and made with materials like thin aluminum and plastic, etc.
Step #2
Now turn the vent to its flatter side and put it against the ceiling. The vent should align with the duct when you do so. Then, grab a pencil and mark holes on each end of the vent. Make sure that these marks are at least half an inch away from the edges of the drywall sheet that surrounds the opening of the duct. If you’re unable to do this, it is time to switch to a larger vent.
Step #3
The third step requires using a drill machine. Fit it to a diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of your drywall anchors. Now, drill holes where you initially marked them with your pencil. And while you’re at it, make sure to position your drill in such a way that the bit doesn’t slant to either side but stays straight.
Step #4
After drilling holes, it is time to insert the anchors into them. Drywall anchors typically have two parts: split plastic anchors and threaded screws.
The plastic anchor comes with a ribbing that slightly contracts after you insert it in a hole. The threaded screw of a drywall anchor is the part that is fitted inside the split plastic.
For this step, start pushing only the split plastic part of the anchor.
Step #5
Next up, hold the vent cover against the drywall ceiling again and align the holes in the drywall ceiling to the holes in the vent.
Step #6
Grab a screwdriver and use it to insert the threaded screws inside the plastic anchors. You will be able to do this when you correctly hold the vent in place against the ceiling.
The split plastic part of the anchor expands outwards when you insert the screws.
Now tighten each screw until it is snug against the cover. However, make sure that you’re not over-tightening them.
How Do You Secure Ceiling Vents without Screws?
Using screws (drywall anchors) is the best way of securing a vent so it doesn’t fall. However, you can still keep your vents from falling by methods that do not involve screws.
The only condition is to make sure that you follow each instruction correctly and to the best of your abilities.
Here is how you can secure your ceiling vents without using any screws or drywall anchors.
Start by attaching two wires to both sides of your ceiling vent. You can tuck in each side of the vent and then place them in the correct vent holes. Through this, you can easily pop your ceiling vent in and out when needed. Make sure you’re only using this for cleaning the ceiling vents.
Now drill smaller holes on either side of your ac vent. These should be about 2 ½ inches apart from one another. Also, make sure that they’re not too close to the slots. For maintaining its shape, you can use a high-carbon steel piano wire. Cut the wire into two pieces and thread it in the small holes you drilled.
You can use hot glue to glue the ends of the wires on the opposite sides. You will also need to dip the pieces of piano wire that were cut earlier in a plastic-dip rubber coating to ensure security. This step makes sure to provide just the exact amount of friction required for holding your ceiling vent.
Once done, you can attach the wires inside the vent and push them up its covers.
Other Ways:
There are also some other ways of attaching ceiling vents to the ceilings without making use of screws. For instance, you can use a threaded insert and fasten it inside the vent holes with the use of liquid nails. However, the method is only applicable in situations when vent holes are small enough to hold the inserts. In case not, the threaded inserts are very likely to fall out.
If this method is not for you, you might want to make the best use of construction adhesive and spray foam adhesive. These adhesive options are strong enough to allow attachment of the drywall ceiling and vent.
If it works for you, you can also combine this method with the liquid nails and threaded insert method. How? Use the adhesives to hold the threaded inserts inside the vent holes and fill in any gaps with spray foam.
In case none of these methods work for you, consider getting a new vent or vent cover.
Key Takeaways
Ceiling vents can often fall due to poor installation. It is best to secure your vent with screws. Or, you can also use other reliable methods. But remember to make sure that you’re following the instructions properly.
Sources
homeguides.sfgate.com/dyson-v8-worth-cost-13772127.html
aireserv.com/about/blog/2016/july/ceiling-ac-vents-pros-and-cons/
