How to Fix a Noisy Exaust Gable Fan

Plug in a work light if needed to illuminate the inside of the gable with the fan in it. Plug in and turn on the fan and allow it to come up to speed.

Examine the fan to determine where the noise is coming from. Two common causes of noise are obstructions and vibrations. Make note of any visible causes or concerns.

Stop the fan. When the blades stop spinning, use your hand to turn the blade, checking to see if anything interferes with the simple rotation of the fan. Remove any obstructions or items that interfere with the fan's operation or may be hitting or brushing the fan's blades.

Oil the fan. If the shaft of the motor is equipped with a grease fitting, use a grease gun to lube the shaft with white grease. Otherwise, spray the area at the base of the fan shaft with an aerosol lubricant or squirt machine oil into the gap at the base of the shaft.

Turn the fan on and test to ensure that the issue has been resolved. If the fan operates quietly, discontinue repairs and set the thermostat to kick on when the attic is too warm. If the fan is still noisy, continue to check the fan for vibrations.

Tighten the mounting screws or bolts, using a cordless drill and screw tip or nut driver. Add rubber washers under the heads of bolts that have worked themselves loose before tightening to absorb the vibration.

Examine surrounding walls or framing for loose joints or other loose items that may vibrate, amplifying the fan's sound. Secure or remove any loose articles and reinforce loose joints with a hammer and framing nails to prevent further problems.

Replace fans that appear to be damaged or do not respond to these techniques. Not only will this provide you with a quieter fan but can prevent future mechanical failure and dangerous situations, such as fires, from occurring.