Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 Sep 02, 2021 4:10 pm I would like to replace the evap cooling vents as they are discolouring and dirty. But I'm finding it difficult to detach the ceiling vent cover. It's one of the 4 way directional types. I've managed to take out the seperate sections, but when it comes to the housing, nothing I do seems to make it budge. I don't want to force anything for risk of damaging the plasterboard. Please see photos: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The closeup photos shows what I assume to be what's clipping it all together. But how do I undo it without braking anything? Everything feels stiff, probably from decades of not being touched. On that same note, I can't find a way to remove the ducted heating vents too. This time it's harder to see deeper in because of the fixed design. Please see photo: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Help removing ceiling vents 3Oct 14, 2022 4:31 pm Hi Did you have any luck? I have exactly the same units, therefore same problem. I have looked at the clips from the inside of roof and can see they are not a type that can easily be removed. The clip is a slide type that slips down a one way ratchet slot. Any pressure just snaps off the plastic. They do not appear to be able to be removed. They do not hinge or bend. I need to get them out as I can't find same size again if I have to break the clips and therefore the job becomes so much bigger as I will have to cut out more plaster. The vents are approx. 10 years old. This is an image of exactly Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ the same clip from inside the ceiling. Gannp Re: Help removing ceiling vents 4Oct 15, 2022 3:30 pm I found the advice was looking for in another forum. Here is the advice that helped me: The black adaptor is clipped to the grill frame by the tabs at the red arrows. There will be four, two on each side. Then the black adaptor will be able to be pushed up leaving the grill frame. The frame is held to the plaster by the clips at the yellow arrow. There is a T shaped centre that is pushed in, with the adaptor out of the way reach into the roof space and find the back section and push it out into the centre of the frame. They are stiff even when new. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I had some trouble removing some of the clips because of there age. It might prove difficult to pry out the tab (yellow arrow), but try with a flat head screwdriver. Since you have access from the roof, you can try to push the part of the clip that is sticking out over the plasterboard. Maybe some heat from a hairdryer will help soften the plastic. Here is a link to how to clip action works, so you get a better idea of how to uninstall it. https://www.paltech.com.au/wp-content/u ... ctions.pdf If all else fails and you have to end up breaking the clips, you may be able to get replacement parts from the supplier. I ended up ordering a whole new grille plate for one vent because it was broken, fresh clips included. Mine were from Paltech. Good luck with it! Re: Help removing ceiling vents 5Oct 15, 2022 3:40 pm Much appreciated. Now around 20 years old and it doesn't matter how much I prod, push, curse, pray I can't get a bloody thing to move. Don't want to go up in to roof cavity [I am 80] so trying to get done from inside house. I even tried breaking them without going up in to the roof in a hope I could maybe hold back up with screws but I can't even get them to break. Driving me nuts. Even a local aircon bloke was stumped. "before my time mate" So if I understand right the yellow arrowed piece with the tongue on the back that sits on the plasterboard just slides directly out in toward middle? Again appreciated. Pete Re: Help removing ceiling vents 6Oct 15, 2022 4:25 pm I know the feeling! It was a battle to remove them without breaking it. You're correct that the clip should just pry directly outwards (when looking from inside the house). The instructions I posted mentioned using a flat head. Perhaps try two to give extra leverage from top and bottom. If that doesn't work, you'll need to get creative with another prying tool of your choice. If heating with a hair dryer doesn't loosen it, maybe try a little bit of silicone spray around the stuck clip. Careful with it though as you don't want that stuff staining your ceiling. There is a chance that the prying force might break the tab off. If that happens, it might actually allow you to then push out the tongue end remaining in the roof with said flat head tool, and you'll now be able to free the vent from the ceiling. From there you could either replace it with a brand new vent unit, or replace it with screws and a block of timber to hold it up. Re: Help removing ceiling vents 7Oct 16, 2022 11:05 am Thanks mate. Took quite a bit of work and a few snapped but still go out in one piece enough to push back in later. 22 years of sitting there with probably the heat from the reverse cycle, dust, etc. and they really didn't want to budge. Not sure if it was the WD40, the heat gun [which I have to be ultra careful with as it deforms and discolours the frame], or the swearing [I think the last one had a lot to do with it 🤣] but with a lot of patience I won. I did 3 out of the 4 of the pins and it fell out. I think if I do 2 on the one side I will get it to come out saving a heap of extra work. Appreciate the heads up. 👍👏 Pete Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Help removing ceiling vents 8Oct 16, 2022 11:21 am I'm glad I could help you with this! Yeah it's such a frustrating design that doesn't really favour ease of later adjustments. But at least you were able to remove it in the end. Re: Help removing ceiling vents 11Dec 29, 2023 3:21 pm These round ones are much easier! They are attached to the ceiling by three spring loaded clamps, spaced evenly around the circle. To remove, find a good grip by slipping your fingers around the vent grills, and GENTLY pull down. You'll start to feel the unit come away from the ceiling. Keep going, and I stress again GENTLY. Be careful not to pull too hard as you run the risk of ripping through the ceiling plasterboard. At a certain point, the three clamps will release and you can then pull the unit out completely. Depending on the age of the unit, the clips might feel a little stuck. Just keep slowly pulling and eventually the downward force should release the clamps. To put it back in, make sure the clamps a primed in the released position. When you raise the unit back into position, the clamps will make contact with the ceiling and the spring loaded mechanism will snap them shut into place. Hope this helps! Re: Help removing ceiling vents 12Dec 30, 2023 7:35 pm Hi BC, Sounds good, did a round one today, came out a treat. Re: Help removing ceiling vents 13Jan 01, 2024 10:10 am Trueseadog Hi BC, Sounds good, did a round one today, came out a treat. Glad I could help! 😁 retail its around double the price of a similar sized actron/dakin system from memory, They are excellent systems though. But with how builder gouge on AC/heating, you… 4 16898 Shade the brick with large eves. Since going to minimum of 600mm eaves on my build, I've noticed much improved cooling off the house after hot summer days. Can see the… 1 4721 Thank you @ashington Homes for your reply! They just got back to me and offered credit for me to just take it as is. It was a less than quotes I got from ceiling… 6 2915 |