sandra_wood•1mo agoProlific Poster

Question about fixing a wobbly ceiling fan with a zip tie

My ceiling fan in the bedroom has been shaking for months... I thought the whole thing was coming loose. I finally got up there with a ladder last weekend and found one of the blade brackets was just a little bit off. Instead of taking the whole fan down, I put a small black zip tie around the bracket arm and the mount to hold it tight. It's been three days now and the wobble is totally gone. Has anyone else used zip ties for quick fixes like this, or is it a bad idea long term?

4 comments

4 Comments

kelly.hannah1mo ago

So you basically put a tiny plastic belt on your ceiling fan and called it a day? That's the kind of genius, lazy fix I fully support. I bet the fan feels more secure now than half the furniture I put together from a box. Just don't be surprised if it starts asking for a matching zip tie collar.

kelly.charlie3d ago

Actually, zip ties are great for this because they don't get brittle from the fan's heat like that video said.

michaeltorres1mo ago

Saw a video last week where an electrician said zip ties are fine for small, non electrical parts like that bracket. He said the plastic can get brittle after a few years in the heat from the motor, so just keep an eye on it. Your fix is smart because it stops the shaking now, which is way better than ignoring it. Might want to check that zip tie when you change your smoke alarm batteries or something, just to be safe. Honestly, if it works for now, you saved yourself a huge headache.

nancyn691mo agoMost Upvoted

Totally agree, it's like a band-aid fix that buys you time for the real solution. I see this everywhere with quick DIY hacks that actually make things safer short-term. Makes you wonder how many small problems get worse because people are scared to try a temporary fix, right?