Do you know that moist air in your bathroom can promote mold growth, rust metal fixtures, and make the paint peel? Yes, it can also damage the bathroom ceiling and walls. To avoid all these problems, you should consider installing a bathroom exhaust fan in your bathroom. It would keep your bathroom dry and odor-free.
Wondering how to install a bathroom exhaust fan? Let us see.
What Is A Bathroom Exhaust Fan?
A bathroom exhaust fan is a mechanical device that sucks indoor air, moisture, and odour from the bathroom via a metal duct. A bathroom vent fan or extractor fan are other names for it. If you have wanted to install a bathroom exhaust fan and have been pondering over the next step, you are on the right path. Gharpedia, through this blog will take you through the entire process of bathroom vent fan installation.
What You’ll Need For Bathroom Exhaust Fan Installation?
Tools/Equipment Required For Adding An Exhaust Fan To A Bathroom
- Pencil
- ½-inch drill bit
- 6-foot ladder
- Reciprocating Saw
- Stud Finder
- Drywall Jab Saw
- Cordless Drill
Materials Required For Bathroom Ventilation Fans Installation
- Screws
- 6 Foot Flexible Ducting if necessary
- 1 Bathroom Exhaust Fan
- Exterior grade Silicone Caulk
- 1 Roof Vent Cap if necessary
How To Install An Exhaust Fan In Your Bathroom Like A Professional?
The installation process of a bathroom exhaust fan is as simple as ABC. However, working above your head, while standing on a ladder, makes the task somehow tiresome. Below is the step-by-step guide on how to install a bathroom exhaust fan like a pro.
Instructions For Bathroom Exhaust Fan Installation
Step 1: Switch the Power to the Bathroom Exhaust Fan off
- Before starting the bathroom exhaust fan installation process, turn the power to the bathroom fan off at the circuit breaker. Light up your working area with an extension cord and work light.
Step 2: Remove the Old Bathroom Fan From Wall
- Does the grille on your bathroom fan have screws? If not, pull it down so that you can access the U-shaped spring retainers.
- Now squeeze the two top legs towards the fan’s center to detach them from the housing.
- On the other spring, repeat the process and take out the grille.
- Unplug the fan from the receptacle in the fan’s housing to disconnect it.
- Using a voltage tester, probe the receptacle to ensure the power is off by placing your tester leads in the natural and hot wire connectors before you remove them. Call an electrician if you detect power. Otherwise, take the fan retaining screw out and tilt the fan out and down.
Step 3: Measure and Cut a Larger Hole, if Necessary
- Locate the rafter in the bathroom ceiling by using a stud finder.
- Using tape, mark the rafter and note the vent damper location.
- Make an L-shaped cut to enlarge the opening. This will be opposite to the stud and in the vent damper direction.
- Tape the cutting template supplied with the new bathroom exhaust fan in position.
- Using a drywall saw, make the cuts and leave in place the old housing. Close the flexible vent while cutting and take care to avoid damaging it.
Step 4: Take Out the Current from Electrical Junction Box
- Inside the fan housing, locate the electrical junction box, and remove the screws of the junction cover.
- Disconnect the wiring of the house and remove the electrical clamp locking ring.
- Locate the screws that secure the fan’s housing to the rafter or stud and remove them.
- As you remove the old housing, slide a thick piece of cardboard into the opening of the new cut to prevent the insulation from falling into the bathroom.
- Later, in step 9, as you push the new housing into the mounting frame, slide the cardboard sideways.
Step 5: Fix the New Mounting Frame of Bathroom Fan
- Into the opening, slide the mounting frame and extend the frame arms to the studs or rafters on every frame side. Then fasten them with construction screws of 1.5-inch.
Step 6: Install the Wiring of the New Fan in Bathroom
- Thread the electrical clamp and the house power cables into the round hole in the housing of the new fan. Then, screw the locking ring onto the clamp.
- Slide the housing into the mounting frame, till it clicks in place.
Step 7: Attach the Bathroom Exhaust Fan Duct
- Connect the flexible duct onto the damper assembly. Then, seal the connection using aluminium foil HVAC UL-listed tape (Avoid using ordinary duct tape).
- Following the manufacturer’s instruction diagram, orient the damper and use the supplied fasteners to connect it to the housing. The wiring needs to be connected next. In the following step, learn how to wire a bathroom exhaust fan.
Step 8: Connect the Wiring of the Bathroom Vent Fan
- Connect the neutral and the hot to the matching wires in the fan housing.
- Wrap clockwise the naked copper wire in the house around the green grounding screw and tighten it.
- Use a twist-on wire connector to any green cable for the remaining naked copper wire.
- Before restoring the power, consult the wiring diagram in the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure your connections are on point.
- Using the provided screws, secure the cover of the junction box.
Step 9: Secure the Bathroom Exhaust Fan Assembly to the Housing
- Push the bathroom fan assembly into the housing and secure it with the screws provided.
- Using the screws encompassed with the kit, fix the silencer baffle (a significant noise reduction component).
- Plug the fan into the receptacle in the housing and turn the power on to test the fan.
Step 10: Fill the Drywall Gaps with Fire Caulking on Wall
- Prevent warm air from bleeding into the attic- it is done by using a bead of fire caulk to fill the gaps between the drywall and the fan housing. Use fire-rated expanding foam if the gap is larger than ½ inch.
Step 11: Install the Grille of the New Bathroom Exhaust Fan
- Locate the grille spring and push it into place in the housing.
- With your fingers, slide the grille slightly to square it.
Step 12: Test the Installed Bathroom Exhaust Fan
- To test the fan, turn the power on. The fan should run without any rattling sound. If it rattles, it indicates that you’ve left out a fastener.
- Hold a small piece of toilet paper near the grille to check the fan’s suction power. The fan should suck the paper towards the grille.
- With the fan turned off, hold your hand in front of the grill to test the operation of the proper damper. If you feel there is no air movement, it means you have done a good job.
- If everything checks out, clean the working area and give a pat on your back for the work done.
In this article, we covered the step-by-step instructions on how to replace bathroom vent fan or how to install an extractor fan. Now can you see how a bathroom exhaust fan can significantly help your home? Well, what is stopping you from getting one for your bathroom? And remember, the more you take care of your bathroom exhaust fan, the more it would take care of your bathroom air.
Whether you are going to replace exhaust fan in bathroom or install a new one, you now have everything you need to make the job go on smoothly.
In Addition, Next In The Exhaust Fan Series –
Exhaust Fan – The Perfect Ventilating Solution!
Toilet – Bathroom Exhaust Fan: Why It Is Important?
Image Courtesy: Image 3(a), Image 3(b)
Author Bio
Jennifer Kiminza – Jennifer Kiminza is a content writer and content marketing professional at Hub Spot, an inbound marketing and sales platform that helps companies attract visitors, convert leads, and close customers. Previously, Jennifer worked as a marketing manager for a tech software startup. She graduated with honors from Nairobi University with a dual degree in Business Administration and Creative Writing.
