How do I get the cover off a solar tube for cleaning?
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I have 3 solar tubes in my home. On of them has bugs and dust laying on the inside cover. I cant figure out how to remove the cover to clean it..
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Your Solatube® diffuser or Decorative Fixture is quite easy to remove and clean. Please note that Solatube Daylighting Systems manufactured before 2000 have twist-lock diffusers for the 10 in. (250 mm) and 14 in. (350 mm) models. For these older units, the diffuser twists off counterclockwise when looking up at the diffuser. If you have a unit that was manufactured between 2000 – 2007, simply pry down one edge of the white trim ring using something flat like a butter knife. Continue to work your way around the ring until you have a 1/4 in. (7mm) or so gap all the way around. Then simply grab onto the edges and pull straight down. The diffuser lens can be cleaned with soap and water. To re-install the diffuser, position the four zip ties into the four holes on the ceiling ring and push up until the diffuser is flush with the ceiling.
If you have a unit that was manufactured between 2007 – 2010, simply pull the diffuser straight down.
If you have a diffuser or Decorative Fixture that was purchased after September 2010, you’ll need to twist off the diffuser counterclockwise.
For the QuadraFrost™ and AuroraGlo™ Decorative Fixtures, simply rotate the screws located on the sides of the fixture counterclockwise to release. Make sure to support the underside of the fixture when releasing it from the ceiling.
Here are lots of videos that show you what to do: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+remove+solar+tube+cover&qpvt=how+to+remove+solar+tube+cover&FORM=VDRE
You could contact the manufacturer for your specific system, they can guide you through this process.
Call the manufacturer or installer and ask. There's likely an easy way to do this if you know the "combination".
I also have them in my house. I just rotate the ring with the glass in it till it feels loose. There are tabs that hold the ring in place. When you put it back make sure the tabs are lined up with the indentations with the frame on the ceiling. Make sure it is holding in place when you are done. You don’t want it to fall and break.