Install A Bathroom Fan Duct

Install a Bathroom Fan Duct

Some homes lack proper ventilation for bathrooms. In addition to allowing bad smells and fogged mirrors to linger, the lack of a bathroom fan can also cause mold and mildew, according to This Old House. To prevent spores from growing in your walls, install a bathroom fan to draw moist air out of your home. When installing a bathroom fan, it's easier to deal with the ductwork if the ceiling lacks drywall or if you have access to the bathroom ceiling through an unfinished attic.

Instructions

1. Choose where you want to install the vent. For best moisture control, install it in the ceiling between the shower and the toilet. According to This Old House, the fan should be placed between two joists and away from any nearby pipes. It should also have easy access to a power source from that area of the ceiling. Mark where you want the fan to go with a pencil. Choose where you want the ventilation duct to end on the outside of your home. The duct should be as short as possible, with very few turns, to ensure proper ventilation. Mark the center of where you want the ventilation to exit the exterior of your home.

2. Mark the ceiling based on the measurements that came with your fan using a ruler and pencil. Cut out this square along the measured lines using a jigsaw or drywall saw. Remove and dispose of the drywall piece that has been cut away.

3. Place the fan inside the hole created in the ceiling of the bathroom so that it is centered and even in the hole. Attach an elbow piece of metal ductwork to the duct hole in the fan unit. Secure the piece using foil duct tape. Screw the fan into place using a power drill and the screws that came with the fan unit.

4. Connect the flexible exhaust ductwork to the fan unit and hold it up to where you want the ductwork to end. Make sure the end of the ductwork falls between two wall studs. From the inside of the house, drill a small hole in the wall so you can see where the hole will lead from the outside.

5. Draw a circle on the exterior of your home using a piece of ductwork as a guide and the previously drilled hole as the center of the circle. Cut the hole using a reciprocating saw or a 4-inch hole saw. Insert the duct discharge hood to the freshly cut hole on the exterior wall. Screw it into place.

6. Connect the free end of the flexible exhaust duct to the end of the duct discharge hood from inside the house. Secure it with foil duct tape. Connect the fan wiring to the switch wiring you want to control your bathroom fan. If a light is present on the fan housing, connect the light wiring to another switch for independent usage. Connect the motor wires to the electrical housing inside the fan unit. Consult your owners' manual for more specific guidelines for fan wiring. Attach the fan grille to the ceiling. Flip the switch and test your new exhaust fan.

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