No bathroom is complete with a ventilation fan. While many tend to think that its purpose is to circulate the air and help to eliminate odors, your bathroom ventilation fan does a lot more than that. So, if you bathroom is without one, you'll definitely want to put one in.
The Benefits of an Exhaust Fan
Between the sink, toilet, and shower, bathrooms see a lot of water flowing in and out. All of the steam created when you use hot water, and even the water evaporating from the toilet, can cause mold and mildew to grow throughout the bathroom. Of course, there are many products you can buy that will help you clean up mold and mildew. However, if you want to eliminate the problem before it starts, installing an exhaust fan in your bathroom is a good idea.
Your Options
Now that you know why it is important to install a bathroom exhaust fan, you can go out and select the one that best meets your needs. You can find a surprisingly large selection of exhaust fans. Here are some of the different options available to you:
- Straight up exhaust fan
- Combination exhaust fan/lighting fixture
- Exhaust fan with allergen-reducing filter
- Noise-control exhaust fans
Some Considerations
Before you begin the installation process, you'll need to take some precautions. For one, your township might require that you get the appropriate permits to have electrical work done in your home. Along those lines, unless you're very familiar with wiring, you may need to hire a certified electrician to either do the electrical work for you or to give advice on how it should be done. You'll also need to decide where you're going to install the exhaust fan and where the vented air will go before starting the work. The vent could either be directed to go right outside, or it could be rigged to go into the attic and out one of the roof soffits. Again, an electrician can help you choose the best locations.
Installing the Fan
Once you have selected the exhaust fan and have decided where it will go and how it will be wired, you can begin installing it. Follow the steps listed below to ensure that you install it correctly:
- Make access in the ceiling - Using the duct of the fan as a template, trace a hole slightly larger than the diameter of the duct. Then, use a jab saw the cut through the ceiling. Your hole doesn't have to be perfect, since the fan housing will cover it up.
- Mounting the fan - After creating the hole, you'll need to attach the fan itself. It can either be attached directly to the joist, or it can be fastened with a special hanger, which should be included with your exhaust fan kit.
- Directing the exhaust - You'll then need to attach a duct hose to the fan, so the air has somewhere to go. The duct hose should be attached to the fan console.
- Connecting to the soffit - Finally, you'll have to run the duct hose though the attic and to the nearest roof soffit. Following the instructions included with the exhaust fan, cut a hole into the soffit, which will allow the duct hose to reach the outside vent.
TIP: In many cases, you can attach the exhaust fan to the ceiling through a pre-existing hole designed for overhead lighting fixtures.
By taking these steps, you can properly install an exhaust fan into your bathroom. Though the process may be complicated, by installing one, you can keep your bathroom dry and avoid unwanted mold and mildew.