I do have to mention one of my DIY triumphs, which occurred yesterday afternoon. Our whole house fan has not been working. I turn on the switch, hear something in the attic, but the louvers don't open and the air doesn't move.
So yesterday afternoon (after a bit of pricing of new motors on the internet -- ouch), I climb up into the attic to try to observe the motor when it is on. This presents its own set of problems, as my assistant is only about three feet tall and the fan switch is up at about six feet. I get her a stepladder and teach her about timer switches. Then, I use the (unfortunately) shorter step ladder to climb into the attic via the boys' room closet. But not before I broke the closet light bulb with my shoulder. Get vaccuum, clean up broken glass, all the while teaching my assistant about not touching broken glass.
Climb into attic (attempt #2), ask assistant to turn on fan switch. She does great, and I observe the motor's shaft turning just fine, but the pulley wheel is not turning. I ask assistant to turn off switch...success yet again. I call friend, who calls himself "Jeff of all trades" and he gives me some great advice, about shear pins, set screws, pulley alignment on belt-driven fans, etc. I enter attic again, successfully remove pulley wheel (after a brief call to Jeff regarding whether I need to purchase a wheel-puller...no, just use a screwdriver and plier-handle to wedge under wheel and bother it off) and determine that the set screw is missing.
My vertically-challenged assistant and I make a quick run to the hardware store, purchase two set screws (in case I drop one of the little buggers into the insulation) an Allen wrench, and a pantry moth trap (unrelated to the fan issue, but a mini-triumph in and of itself as I am able to combine two, unrelated needs into one trip to the hardware store, thus avoiding Ms. Hdog's inevitable question, "why didn't you buy a moth trap while you were there?"). Zoom back home.
Final climb into the attic, align the pulleys, tighten the set screw, and yell to the midget to turn the switch. The motor and fan turn in unison, opening up the louvers, allowing a rush of air into the crucible that is my attic (did I mention it was freakin' hot up there?). Through the louvers, I see the munchkin on her step ladder, looking back up at me. We both smile.
And, for the rest of the night she and I enjoyed the coolness of the air, and the coolness of knowing that "we fixed it!"
Ms.Hdog was impressed, and appreciative. Of course, it was still too hot to touch her, but, whatcha goin' to do?
Hairdog, sharing the wins and the losses with my pals.
