Tired of stepping out of the shower and dealing with constant dampness in your bathroom? It may seem like a minor inconvenience, but too much moisture in your bathroom can cause damage. , or worse, mold can develop. Installing (or replacing) a bathroom extractor fan is the perfect solution to alleviating moisture problems as it helps remove moisture, heat and odors from the space.
Installing a bathroom exhaust fan isn’t the easiest do-it-yourself project, but with the right tools and a plan of action, you can do it yourself. Don’t be afraid to take on this project yourself. To help you install your bathroom exhaust fan with confidence, Kitchen Cabinet Kings offers step-by-step instructions outlining the seven steps necessary to ensure a smooth installation.
Step 1: Mark the Fan Location
If you don’t have an existing bathroom fan to replace, you’ll need to decide where in the ceiling you want the new fan to go. Depending on the existing lighting in your bathroom, you can choose to have dual lighting and exhaust fans or individual exhaust fans during your bathroom renovation. However, if a separate exhaust fan is to be installed, it must be installed near the existing lighting fixtures as it will be powered from the lighting fixture wiring.
To determine proper placement on the ceiling near the light fixture, use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joists. The exhaust fan should be placed directly between the two joists to ensure weight support. Once you’ve decided where you want to install your bathroom fan, lightly trace the ceiling fan to see exactly where you need to cut.
Step 2: Cut an opening for the fan
Now that you know where you plan to install the exhaust fan, it’s time to cut a hole in the ceiling where the exhaust fan will be installed. However, you should ensure that the power to the master bathroom is shut off before beginning this procedure to avoid the risk of electrocution if you hit a wire in the ceiling. Use an electrical circuit breaker to turn off the circuit that provides lighting to the bathroom. Once the power is off, you can use a drill to poke a small hole in each corner of the contour you traced to make the cutting process a little easier. Then use a drywall saw to cut through the corners and remove the drywall to expose the holes where the exhaust fans will be placed.
Step 3: Install the ventilation duct
The purpose of installing a bathroom extractor fan is to add ventilation to the space and properly dissipate heat and moisture. This means that you cannot just install a fan in the ceiling and expect it to work. Ventilation ducts for ceiling fans should be installed so that heat and moisture can be properly expelled from the house. In most cases, it is best to ventilate your ceiling fan through the roof vent.
It is recommended to use a flexible aluminum hose of about 4 mm for the ventilation duct. Diameter (unless otherwise specified in exhaust fan mounting kit). Once you have what you need, find the nearest exterior wall through the hole you cut in the ceiling. Move the hose into the space and adjust until it reaches the ceiling or exterior wall entrance.
Step 4: Cut holes for external vents
Next, you’ll need to grab your vent cap and tools like a reciprocating saw, cordless drill, and silicone caulk and make your way to the roof safely. Use a saw to cut a small hole in the hose-lined roof. Once you’ve drilled the holes, screw on the vent caps and outline them with silicone caulk to keep water from leaking into your home.
Step 5: Attach the exhaust fan to the joists
Then put the exhaust fan in place. Head into the attic and hang the fan through the hole you cut in the drywall so it’s flush with the ceiling and secured to the joists. It is recommended to have a family member or friend help with this step as it can be difficult to get it in place and screw it in at the same time.
Step 6: Make Electrical Connections
Before exiting the attic, connect the ventilation hose from the back of the ceiling fan to the roof vent cap to ensure that the moisture is properly drained from the bathroom. Then make the electrical connections for the new exhaust fan.
Note: If you don’t want the fan on along with the lights, you’ll need to update the wiring and install a dual switch. To do this, he runs a 3-wire cable from the new exhaust fan to the existing switch and replaces the old switch in the electrical box with a dual switch.
Once the double switch installation is complete, connect the fan wiring to the existing ceiling fixture wiring. Take a 12/2 wire and twist one end with the black and white wire of the fan unit. Then connect the black and white wires on the other end of the cable to the corresponding wires on the light fixture to power the exhaust fan.
Step 7: Turn on the circuit breaker
After wiring the exhaust fan, attach the fan grill plate to the exhaust fan face. Then turn on the circuit breaker to restore power to the bathroom. Switch on the electric fan to enjoy a damp-free bathroom.
FAQ
Does the bathroom exhaust fan have to vent to the outside?
If possible, it is recommended that the vent of the bathroom extractor fan be placed outdoors. However, if the location of the bathroom makes it impossible to pass through the ceiling or roof, there is no need to do so. A wall-mounted exhaust fan can be used to install vents in the side walls of your home.
Do you need a bathroom exhaust fan?
You don’t even need a bathroom exhaust fan. However, bathrooms are often humid, so extractor fans work to keep the bathroom properly ventilated. When moisture has nowhere to go, it can lead to bathroom odors, mold and mildew, which plants can solve.
How can I ventilate a bathroom that is not accessible from the outside?
In some cases, it may not be possible to access the exterior vents from the bathroom. If your bathroom is located in the middle of your home and has only interior walls, you can install a central exhaust fan to help collect outside air through a ventilation shaft.
Should I turn on the ventilation fan in the bathroom?
You don’t have to keep your bathroom exhaust fan on all the time. Instead, we recommend using it when showering or bathing. Or when you do something that draws a lot of moisture into the air. Excessive use of fans consumes extra energy and can increase your utility bills.
Andrew Saladino
Andrew Saladino is the co-founder of Kitchen Cabinet Kings, who has helped over 10,000 customers with their renovation projects. He is a nationally recognized kitchen and bathroom expert from his NKBA, and his advice has been featured in major publications such as his Forbes, Huffington Post, Mashable, and Yahoo!. small and medium enterprises, etc.
