Repairing a Broken Skylight Motor

Repairing a Broken Skylight Motor

When a skylight motor fails, it can be a major inconvenience. The skylight will no longer open or close automatically, which can make it difficult to ventilate the home or access the roof. Fortunately, repairing a broken skylight motor is a relatively simple task that can be completed in a few hours.

Tools and Materials

* Screwdriver
* Wrench
* Electrical tape
* Wire nuts
* New skylight motor

Instructions

1.

Turn off the power to the skylight at the circuit breaker or fuse box.

2.

Locate the skylight motor. It is usually mounted on the side of the skylight frame.

3.

Disconnect the electrical wires from the motor.

4.

Remove the mounting screws that hold the motor in place.

5.

Pull the motor straight out of the frame.

6.

Inspect the motor for any obvious damage.

7.

If the motor is damaged beyond repair, replace it with a new one.

8.

Connect the electrical wires to the new motor.

9.

Mount the new motor in the frame.

10.

Turn on the power to the skylight.

Tips

* If you are not comfortable working with electricity, it is best to hire a qualified electrician to repair the skylight motor.
* Be sure to disconnect the electrical power before starting any work on the motor.
* Inspect the skylight frame and mechanism for any other damage while you have the motor removed.
* If you are replacing the motor, be sure to get one that is the same size and type as the old one.

Fixing a Window That Rattles

Rattling windows can be annoying and make your home less comfortable. Fortunately, they are often easy to fix yourself with a few simple steps.

Step 1: Identify the Source of the Rattle

The first step is to identify the source of the rattle. This can be done by opening and closing the window and listening for where the sound is coming from.

In most cases, the rattle will be coming from one of the following areas:

• The window frame
• The window sash
• The window glass

Step 2: Fix the Rattle

Once you have identified the source of the rattle, you can begin to fix it. The method you use to fix the rattle will depend on the source of the problem.

If the rattle is coming from the window frame, you can try the following:

• Tighten the screws that hold the window frame in place.
• Caulk around the edges of the window frame to seal any gaps.
• Replace the weatherstripping around the window frame.

If the rattle is coming from the window sash, you can try the following:

• Tighten the screws that hold the window sash in place.
• Adjust the window sash so that it fits snugly in the window frame.
• Replace the weatherstripping around the window sash.

If the rattle is coming from the window glass, you can try the following:

• Caulk around the edges of the window glass to seal any gaps.
• Replace the window glass if it is cracked or broken.

Step 3: Test the Window

Once you have fixed the rattle, test the window to make sure that it is no longer rattling.

To test the window, open and close it several times and listen for any rattling sounds.

If the window is still rattling, you may need to repeat the steps above until the rattle is fixed.