Guide To Bathroom Fan Installation & Repair

A standard fixture in any home’s bathroom is a properly working ventilation system – at least a window will have been installed. If you are thinking to upgrade your bathroom’s fan or ventilation system, you can prevent a lot of work in the future. The purpose of a fan or ventilation system in the bathroom is to make sure that mold and mildew cannot grow from excess moisture in the room.

It does not have to be difficult to perform home repairs – but you do need the right tools and knowledge to do the job right. If you are in the market for installation of a bathroom fan, make sure that you do your research or head down to your local hardware store and ask an expert what it is that you need.

Your bathroom ventilation will ultimately be measured by how many cubic feet air that they can move per minute. It is known as the CFM rating. To learn which size you need, you will need to know how big your bathroom is.  Just multiply the room’s square footage by 1.1. If your bathroom is 100 sq ft, make sure that your fan vent is 110-CFM rated, and so on. You may also find that fans are rated in sones, which is a sound rating. A typical refrigerator has one sone, as it operates quietly.

Bathroom fan installation and repair do not have to be difficult, but there are several steps to consider when undergoing this process.

• The first move will be to drill a reference hole. Make sure first to place a mark on the bathroom ceiling directly where you will be installing the vent fan. The perfect spot for a bathroom fan is between the shower and toilet. Use an extra-long bit at 3/8″, and make sure that it goes through to the attic. If need be, you should climb into your attic to remove insulation around the hole.
• Measure twice, cut once: make sure that you measure the fan vent housing. Make sure that you have a layout or framing square. It should be directly between two joists near the reference hole. Pay close attention to any pipes that are nearby, or another structure that can be seen an obstruction later. Measure the inner dimensions of the vent fan’s intake port to determine the size of the hole being cut.
• When you cut the hole for your ceiling fan vent, use either a jigsaw, drywall saw, or a reciprocating saw. You will need goggles and respirator for these next steps. Cut clean lines through the ceiling as previously marked. When it is nearly cut out, support the piece with one hand, so it does not fall and take plaster or take the insulation along with it.
• In the attic, attach a 4-inch, 90-degree duct elbow to the outlet port on the side of the vent fan’s housing. It should be aimed straight up and secured into the harbor with foil duct port. Remove the waste piece on the side of the house and attach a cable connector, and slip the four metal brackets into the tabs that protrude from the vent fan – set it into place and make sure it is centered on the hole in the ceiling.
• Attach the fan to the joints, and cut a duct hole through the sidewall. From inside the attach, select a place on the sidewall for the flexible to exit your home – it should be between two wall studs and within 6 feet of the vent. Along the way, continue to mark your measurements.
• Attach the exhaust duct to the wall cap in the attic, after it has been secured in the bathroom. The free end of your flexible exhaust pipe will then be carefully stretched to the outside wall, and make sure that it is connected with foil duct tape with the wall cap’s connector.
• Make sure that the connector is secured to the wall with foil duct tape, and outside, the wall cap should be pushed against your home’s siding, and it won’t slide once it is connected with a foam rubber gasket. Now, the wire connections are a part that some people cannot do on their own as it involves electricity and messing this up and hurt your home as a whole. Always be careful when working on wiring.
• Lastly, the grill will be attached to the ceiling. The blower motor will be raised to the roof, and its plug should fit into the electrical receptacle inside the housing. Make sure that the motor is secured, and you will use the saved screws from the outside receptacle. Make sure that it is tight against the ceiling, and now you can turn the power on and test things out.

And always remember, if a home repair job is too much, you should call a professional.

Find a safe and knowledgeable bathroom fan installation and repair contractor in your area to get your home’s bathroom fan back in perfect working shape. Or simply call Sacramento Handyman at 916-472-0507.