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The last thing you want in your bathroom is a humid, moldy disaster. And while it may seem counterintuitive, the only thing standing between you and that scenario is an exhaust fan. A bathroom exhaust fan can be installed by even the most novice do-it-yourselfer following these simple steps. Ready to go? Let’s get started!
What is an exhaust fan and why do I need one in my bathroom?
An exhaust fan is a device, usually installed near the top of the bathroom or next to a window, that removes moist air from your home. In bathrooms where water vapor from bathing quickly accumulates on the walls and ceilings, an exhaust fan can help control mildew growth and prevent mold from developing. By removing air moisture helps prevent condensation and keeps a healthy level of relative humidity in your home. An exhaust fan also prevents odors from collecting in your bathroom and this is especially important if you don't open a window when taking a shower.
How to find out if your home needs a new bathroom exhaust fan
If you're not sure if your bathroom is dusty, take a look around the room and see if there are any visible signs of dirt floating in the air like dust particles. If you see dust, it means that you need an exhaust fan. If there are no visible signs of dust, try opening the door to let in some fresh air for several hours. If there's still no visible dust when you return, or if fresh air makes it worse, it's likely time for an exhaust fan.
To find out how much moisture is in your bathroom (and what percentage of humidity), use a hygrometer by placing it somewhere in the vicinity of your shower. If the humidity level is over 50 percent, you should probably invest in a bathroom fan because humidity levels that are too high can cause health problems like respiratory illness and asthma.
If you have other signs of moisture damage like peeling wallpaper or stains on the ceiling, it's time for a new exhaust fan. Also, consider getting a new exhaust fan if you're at all concerned about the bathroom environment and want to be proactive.
Steps for installing a new bath fan, including what tools you'll need
- Turn off power to the bathroom at the circuit breaker or fuse box.
- Disconnect the electrical wiring from the current exhaust fan.
- If your new bath fan doesn't have a hole for a wire grommet, drill a 3" hole in a corner of the ceiling, preferably near a ceiling joist- This will allow you to route the wires through it neatly and into an attic or rafter space if there is one, instead of drilling holes in your ceilings and walls.
- Now take your new exhaust fan's threaded insert plate and mount it up on drywall using four screws with anchors for sheetrock or masonry surface so that the flat side is against the ceiling and no more than 1-1/2" of the threaded insert plate is recessed into the ceiling.
- If you're using a wiring grommet ensure that it's easily accessible and open the hole wide enough to fit your hand inside up to your elbow with ease, as this will be extremely helpful when wiring up the fan unit.
- Next, you'll need to measure the distance from the inside lip of your grommet to the nearest part of the fan's wiring or electrical housing. Hint: Using a small ruler can help with this!
- Use a stud finder and mark each side of your bathroom exhaust fan where you want to drill a hole, allowing enough space for four wood screws.
- Then drill a 1/2" hole on each side of the fan unit and a 3/4" hole in the ceiling where you want to mount it, being sure not to drill into any wires or electrical outlets!
- The exhaust shaft should be thick enough that you can attach your roof flashing, flashing tape to the shaft before slipping it through the hole in your ceiling. Attach a flashing metal gasket over the top of the hole on the other side, being sure that no water can get in there!
- Next choose four short screws or rivets with wide flat heads using only two of them for each side to mount the fan unit onto the ceiling, making sure you've drilled the holes directly over where your grommets are.
- Finally, attach your housing extenders & electrical connection box to the fan unit and then run wiring through it into an attic or rafter space if there is one before connecting with electrical lines on both sides of the fan and installing an exterior vent and plastic sleeve.
When choosing a new exhaust fan for your bathroom you'll want to keep electrical specifications in mind, such as voltage and amperage since not all fans are created equal. A good rule of thumb is that the more powerful the fan motor, the better it will be at getting rid of moisture from your bathroom.
You'll also want to check how many cubic feet of air a bathroom exhaust fan can move per minute, as the higher the number the less likely you are to have a buildup of moisture in your room.
What's more, you should consider whether or not you want an enclosed or open housing style and if you'd like it wired as a single or double switch.
Troubleshooting tips when something goes wrong during installation (e.g., wiring issues)
Running a bathroom fan is important for ensuring proper airflow and odor removal, but if the fan is malfunctioning it can be easy to forget why you installed one in the first place! Some common problems arise during installation such as loose or bad wiring. If you find yourself with these issues, don't panic - here are some tips to keep in mind when something goes wrong.
Loose wiring [may include a photo of a loose wire in a fan with a caption below it]: If you find your wires are loose in the electrical box, don't be in a hurry to tighten them or replace them - instead spend some time checking that all the connections within the box are solid and secure.
Bad wiring [may include a photo of a fan with bad, burnt wiring with a caption below it]: If you discover your wires are bad, don't run the risk of working on them yourself - hire a professional to do it for you! These issues can become very dangerous if not addressed properly.
Here are some tips for diagnosing and maintaining your bathroom exhaust fan!
1. Diagnose the problem by checking out how it works
The first thing you should do when confronted with unusual sounds coming from your bathroom exhaust fan is to make sure the power is off and wait for it to cool down.
The old exhaust fans are often "upgraded" because the newer, more modern units are more energy-efficient, less likely to break because of how they're built, and offer a wider range of features.
You'll want to check your unit's model number and the UL label to see if it needs a special replacement motor.
Furthermore, some units have a separate light switch so you can cut power from both sides of the fan.
If your unit has a two-speed switch, go ahead and try switching it on high for a few minutes to see if that clears up the issue before you start taking it apart.
2. Cleaning will keep your fan running efficiently
If your bathroom exhaust fan is running loudly or not moving air properly, it's probably time to clean the unit.
First, turn off the power and remove grilles (and/or light bulbs).
Then use a vacuum cleaner with flex hose attachments to remove dust build-up.
Be generous – you can always wipe away excess with a dry cloth.
You should do this every six months or so, more if you have allergies.
I hope you found this article helpful! If anything, it should be an eye-opener that the bathroom is one of your biggest risks for mold. An exhaust fan will go a long way in preventing these problems and they’re easy to install with some simple steps (as shown above).
