"Tomes" ...
"Tomes" ...
Folks,
It was easy for me to replace the ceiling exhaust fan/light in the
upstairs
bathroom as I could attack if from the attic, where everything was
right
there and open for me. I now would like to do the same with the
ceiling
fan/light in the downstairs bathroom (1st floor), but my problem is
that I
don't have the handy attic to get at it from. I took off the cover
from
the existing light/fan, and I see the box, which is about the same
size as
the hole cut in the wallboard ceiling. I just do not see how I can
get
the box out without ripping apart the ceiling. I would really like to
be
able to do this without messing with the ceiling wall if I can.

What to do? Has anyone done this and what was your strategy?
Thanks for any help here,
Tomes

Thanks to the three of you folks so far. My first problem is how to get
the old box out. The ceiling is cut so it will slip down through the
hole OK, and if I mess up the ceiling a little bit around the edges it
is OK as the new fixture covers up more ceiling than the old one, I just
need a strategy on removing that box from the beams. Maybe grind off
the nail heads? Anyone tried that?

The thought on sliding the new box in there sideways to re-attach the
existing duct is the strategy I plan to use for that, thanks.
Cheers,
Tomes

OK folks, I thought that I would close this story as I finished the job
today and it turned out to be easy once I knew the trick. Maybe someone
else can use this experience. I replaced the old box with the new box and
the ceiling never knew anything happened.

Getting the old box out entailed using a hacksaw that had a pistol grip
(something I picked up in a garage sale long ago and finally had the
perfect use for). It enabled that thin blade to get up between the box
and the wall that it was nailed onto. I sawed off the 4 nails which were
on the tabs outside of the box (and unapproachable any other way) that
way. Box got loose.

Then just moving it around up there was all it took to remove the duct and
the wires. Then it angled out of the hole. Installing the new box was
then easy enough, as it too angled up into the hole with no new cutting
required. It came with holes in the sidewall of the box so a couple of
screws through those holes is now holding it in place really well.

Light looks good up there now, brighter and the fan sucks better too. The
ceiling is unmolested. All is well in that part of the world.
Tomes