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How to fix ducted heating ceiling vent?

The heating vent all of a sudden decided to fall off today. It is clinging on with just one clip. I am unable to figure out how to unclip the one that is holding and search for any missing peices on the other two clips.

how do I go about fixing this? I thought of putting some liquid nail but then realized it would be a big job when replacing. Would screwing work? Or how do I buy clips and put it back?

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Jewelleryrescue

Hi @J-P

I had same problem I ended up glueing it up using white paintable silicon placed all around the edge.

The only thing you need is a length of timber to push it up into place and leave it proped up there for 24 hours/

You can put 3 screws in it too the rim and into the gyprock with the silicon as that duct can be pushing down more than expected.

Wipe any silicon mess up with turps.

You will never remove the vent so dont worry about it stuck up there.

EricL

Hello @J-P

Thanks for sharing your question about fixing your ceiling vent. It's great that you've received excellent advice from @Jewelleryrescue. Just to add to the suggestions made, I recommend drilling pilot holes in the plastic casing to prevent cracking the sides if you decide to use screws.

Putting silicone to hold it in place is not a bad idea. The trick is to put it in certain spots only and not all over the place. You can prevent the vent from dropping by holding it in place with masking tape. Once the silicone cures you can remove the masking tape. When the time comes to replace it will not be a great struggle to remove it.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

J-P

@EricL @Jewelleryrescue - silicone and a length of timber did the job in 24 hrs

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @J-P

Good job 🙂

michelle0911

Hello, I’ve just started to replace all my vents and have got as far as arching them to ducting and replacing in the ceiling cutout, but can’t figure out how to get the spring loaded clips (3 on each) to spring into place. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated! Thanks Michelle

EricL

Hello @michelle0911

Generally speaking, the spring-loaded clips on ceiling vents are placed in the open upright position and then the vent is pushed to the ceiling which pushes the clips closed. But just to be sure, would it be possible for you to post a photo of the vent itself. This will give our members a better idea of what your vent clips look like. We can then make recommendations on how to make your ceiling vent latch into place.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

michelle0911

Thanks Eric, I’ve attached a couple of photos. I purchased the vents from Bunnings. Oh, I did try with the clips in the open position then putting into the opening but that did nothing and of course with them down ( as in the photos, they don’t fit into the opening.8

EricL

Hello @michelle0911

Thank you for sharing those photos of your ceiling vent. I propose trying this technique. Using your finger lift one of the clips and push that corner into the cut out of the ceiling. You should now have one corner of the vent clipped on the ceiling plaster board. Now grab a long thin flathead screwdriver and lift the second clip up with the screwdriver so that you can slide it next into position. Use the same technique for the last clip.

Another way to do it is to put the clips into the open position and push the vent into place and use your screwdriver to flick the clips back into the closed position. I recommend practicing first so that you'll know which part of the clip to push.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their suggestions.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @michelle0911

Push a clip up one at a time but not all the way so they clip fully open. Just enough to insert the vent and the clip down on the internal side of the plasterboard. Then work your way around to the next two clips. They are basically like mouse traps you are holding open enough to fit in to the opening of the roof and letting it clamp down. Its a bit of a knack but it helps if your up on your ladder nice and close and not reaching.

The fully locked open position occurs as you pry and pull the vent back out again.

Nailbag

Dave-1

Evening @michelle0911

Now thats an interesting problem.

My first solution was pretty much the same as @EricL 's suggestion 🙂

I have two more 🙂

Second Option

Can your hands touch all three prongs at once? If they can then leave the prongs all the way up verticle wise, then slide the whole unit up into the hole. Once the prongs are past the plaster you can realease and push upwards. I am hoping that they will come down and hold the duct in place.

Third Option

Tie a piece of smooth string around the three prongs while they are in the up position, the knot make it like you would for your shoes. Push the duct up gently and then once its almost in place pull one of the bows strings and volia (I so hope that works as it would be a great outcome and sound effect!)

Fourth option.

A bit of @EricL 's and a bit of the second option. So we focas on the two rear facing prongs on the duct, Holding the prongs up with your fingertips and ignoring the third prong (its looking at you) Push the duct up at a tilted angle so the prongs you are holding vertical with your finger tips slide past the plaster. Once they have gone past the plaster and with the duct still at an angle, use a flat blade screwdriver to lever the third prong vertical and then gently push the unit up. Slide the screwdrive out as the prong goes past the plaster ceiling. This option I think is the hardest.

Just found this video, it really dosnt show too much but at the 26second mark the prongs look like yours, it appears that he stands them all up and when the unit is pushed up the pressure then snaps them like a mousetrap so they prongs come down on the ceiling.
Ceiling Vent Installation

Can you stand all the prongs up without them snapping down before you put the vent in place?

Dave

michelle0911

Thank you Eric, Nailbag and Dave for taking the time to reply. Clearly the geniuses who designed these ducts didn’t put any effort into making the process of installing the, straightforward or easy LOL! Anyway, I will try all the suggestions and let you know how I go. Thanks again Michelle

michelle0911

Thanks guys, after a bit of cursing, I finally got there with the flat screwdriver method 😀

Dave-1

Evening @michelle0911

"Cheering" 😀

Dave

EricL

Hi @michelle0911

Thank you very much for the update, it's good to hear that the flathead screwdriver method worked!

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Namloc1

Are these clips available in bunnings without having to buy the whole vent cover set?

If not where can one find them?

Thanks

EricL

Hello @Namloc1

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us.

If you know the exact make and model of your ceiling vent the special orders team might be able to track down the spare part for you. Please note that it has to be exactly the same as every ceiling vent has a specific clipping method and not one of them are the same.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

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