Installing Bathroom Ceiling Fan/Exhaust

10/10/2011 at 2:49:04 AM

Hey Tom.

I hate going into attics. Installing a bathroom fan can be a major pain in the butt especially if the roof slopes over the bathroom. I had this problem in my house so I just boxed in a fan and vented directly outside (with the proper vent covering on the outside of course). Even though that bathroom is on the north side, I never had a problem with mold or the like!

Alternatively, It is possible to cut the hole in the roof and in the bathroom ceiling and have someone feed the vent pipe down to you (if it is straight; otherwise you may need to do a bit of fishing to get the end). Then, your guy can install the proper attachment on the roof (after connecting the vent pipe) and then you can attach the vent pipe at your end before installing the fan into the ceiling.

I hope this helps.

Brett Barager, MSW, CHI

Lone-Wolf Contracting

(A Division of Lone-Wolf Enterprises)

647-994-0785

10/13/2011 at 12:34:52 AM

Hi Tom,

To save yourself some trouble, I think you should just bite the bullet and go into the attic. No-one likes going in an attic, but this time of year it is cooler up there and the results you will get from being in the attic to take proper measurements and make the proper connections will be better and faster then if you tried to do it all from the roof or from the bathroom.

I am not sure if you could even make the proper conncetions to the fan from above or below.

Short cuts are not the answer when doing something that is a relatively easy project as hooking up and venting an exhaust fan.

Bill Clawsie

Clawsie Contracting

416-579-7366

10/13/2011 at 12:50:11 AM

My first reply notwithstanding, I whole-heartedly agree with Tom. Shortcuts will always come back to bite you. A friend of mine had a "reputable company" renovate his bathroom. They simply pointed the exhaust pipe into the soffit (the Contractor and the sub both stated that it was not necessary to go into the attic). Now there is mold throughout the attic and the Contractor refuses to remediate the issue.

Brett Barager, MSW, CHI

Lone-Wolf Contracting

(A Division of Lone-Wolf Enterprises)

647-994-0785