How to instal bathroom exhaust fan: 3 Ways to Install a Bathroom Fan

Got Mildew? Here’s How to Install a Bathroom Exhaust Fan

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Got Mildew? Here’s How to Install a Bathroom Exhaust Fan

Are you dealing with mildew and bacteria in your bathroom because you do not have an exhaust fan? Or maybe your current fan just isn’t getting the job done.

An exhaust fan works to prevent mold and mildew growth throughout the bathroom. It’s unpleasant to wash up in a place that doesn’t feel clean due to a moldy situation. By installing a bathroom exhaust fan or replacing the current one, you can restore a clean and fresh feeling to the space.

Do you need help now with bathroom exhaust fan replacement or installation?
Call your local Mr. Electric^® at (844) 866-1367.

Is Your Bathroom Exhaust Fan Grimy?

If you have an exhaust fan in your bathroom, it may not be as clean as it should be, which can render it ineffective. A clean, operational fan uses suction to draw moisture and odors out of your bathroom through a vent. Then, the fan expels the moisture outside the house.

Over time, a bathroom fan can accumulate dust and grime that prevent it from doing its job. A dirty fan cover or fan blades may not effectively remove the moisture and airborne contaminants from the room. If neglected, this is a problem that often results in mold and mildew growth.

Before moving forward with bathroom exhaust fan replacement, turn off the fan at the circuit breaker, remove the cover to expose the fan, and use a vacuum to remove dust from the fan and its housing. Then, soak the cover in a solution of warm water with a few drops of dish soap. While the cover is soaking, scrub the fan blades with a microfiber cloth to remove any dust and dirt that remains after vacuuming.

Once you have dried the fan blades, attempt to run the exhaust fan again. If it still isn’t spinning optimally, it may be time to replace the exhaust fan.

On the other hand, if you’re thinking of uninstalling your exhaust fan and patching up that hole in the ceiling, check out this important information about bathroom exhaust fans and building codes.

Steps for Bathroom Exhaust Fan Replacement

Here are the basic steps an electrician would follow to replace an old bathroom exhaust fan with a new one:

Turn off the breaker that supplies power to the fan.
The most important step in the installation process is ensuring the electricity supply is off before starting work. The electrician would then remove the cover and use a multimeter to verify the power is off.
Remove the old fan.
Some bathroom fan covers have screws holding them in place, while others simply snap into place. Once the cover is removed, the wires and vent pipe can be disconnected. The electrician may need to go into the attic to remove the screws above the ceiling.
Clean any visible dust or grime from the area.
With the vent fan housing off, it’s a great opportunity to clean the area thoroughly. A service provider will use a vacuum first to remove the majority of the dust and finish by scrubbing away the remaining grime with a cloth.
Verify that the duct is venting outside the home.
A bathroom exhaust fan must always release the moisture to the outdoors, not into the attic or other enclosed areas. Your service provider will verify that the duct is venting to an outside location before installing the new fan.
Plug in and install the new fan.
Depending on your fan kit, your electrician may need to attach from the bottom into the ceiling or from the top by going to the attic. The same vent pipe that was attached to your old fan will slide over the duct connector on the new fan. Your service provider will use HVAC tape at the point of connection to secure the pipe. From there, it’s as simple as plugging the new fan into the outlet and replace the fan cover by snapping it in place or securing it with screws.
Turn on the breaker and test the new fan.
Once the fan is in place, power can be restored to the fan by turning on the breaker. Turn on the new fan switch to test that everything is working correctly.

If there is no existing exhaust fan, things can get tricky fast. Installing a fan from scratch is a complicated process. Contact your local Mr. Electric for professional, reliable exhaust fan installation.

Take the Hassle Out of Bathroom Exhaust Fan Installation – Hire the Experts!

Let the pros handle your bathroom exhaust fan replacement. Your local Mr. Electric is at your service. Call (844) 866-1367 to speak to one of our knowledgeable electricians or schedule an appointment online now.

This exhaustive bathroom cleaning guide from our colleagues at Molly Maid will keep your bathroom sparkling clean and smelling fresh. As part of the Neighborly^® family of home service pros, Molly Maid is a reliable source for great house cleaning service and advice.

How to Install a Bathroom Exhaust Fan

Did the exhaust fan in your master bathroom suddenly stop working correctly? Then it is important to repair or replace the issue as quickly as possible to avoid mold growth and damage from excessive moisture. At Mr. Electric of Atlanta, we offer premium residential and commercial electrical services including exhaust fan installation, repair and replacement in Atlanta, Georgia and nearby metro area neighborhoods. Are you wondering if a bathroom exhaust fan is necessary? Here are some tips on determining whether you need a new fan, and how to perform the task safely and accurately.

When Should You Replace a Bathroom Exhaust Fan?

The maintenance of your exhaust fan is very important. If it is neglected for long, it may become covered with debris and dust, which can destroy the long-term function of the fan. This can result in accumulating moisture, which encourages the growth of mold and may begin to deteriorate your paint, cabinets, plumbing fixtures and other investments. If you notice that your exhaust fan is struggling to remove odors and moisture, then it is important to either repair the fan, or to replace it as soon as possible.

How to Safely Replace an Existing Exhaust Fan

An exhaust fan replacement can be a challenging undertaking. A licensed electrician will have the training, experience and specialized tools needed to successfully repair or replace your unit. However, if you choose to attempt a replacement yourself, keep the following tips in mind.

Always shut off the electrical power to the bathroom at the electrical panel. Forgetting this crucial step in the process could result in personal injury or electrical hazards.

Once you are sure the power is off, then you can remove the current fan. Most of the time, exhaust fans will be mounted onto the ceiling with simple screws. In some instances, the screws may be above the ceiling, in which case you should probably contact an expert to avoid damaging your ceiling.

Clean off any dust or grime and look for mold or water damage inside the ceiling where the fan was located. If problems are present, be sure to properly sanitize and repair the issues before putting your new unit into position.

Once the area has been thoroughly cleaned, you can install the new exhaust fan. Make sure that the duct is venting outside of your home, and not the attic. Then, connect the fan to the electrical system and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper installation of the unit.

When the fan installation is complete, restore power to the bathroom and test your new fan.

Is It Time for You to Invest in an Exhaust Fan Replacement or Installation? Call Mr. Electric Today

Does your outdated or dysfunctional exhaust fan need a repair or replacement? Is your older home or commercial property missing exhaust fans entirely? Then get the help you need today with one call to the team at Mr. Electric of Atlanta. Our certified and insured electricians are ready to help you achieve your goals. Contact our team for more information about our commercial and residential services or to schedule an appointment with a licensed electrician in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Georgia or a nearby city.

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How to install a fan in the bathroom

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To get rid of excessive moisture, fungus and mold, as well as to create good air circulation, it is customary to equip the bathroom with forced ventilation by installing hoods in the ventilation pipe. It’s best to do this when you’re renovating your home or bathroom, because it’s a good idea to have a fan installed in your bathroom. This does not require a lot of costs from the developer, and it will not be superfluous.

Contents:

Need for forced ventilation
Installation requirements for hood
Preparatory work
Connecting the fan to the power supply
- Using cord
- With lights
- Two-gang switch
- Automatic activation
- Wiring
Site preparation for fan
Bathroom fan installation

The need for forced ventilation

Forced ventilation in the bathroom should be done if the normal ventilation system is not effective. Misted mirrors, condensation on the walls, and constant dampness are sure signs of a faulty ventilation system. In a bathroom without a fan, an unpleasant odor and pathogenic microbes appear – mold and fungus, which have a negative impact on human life and health, reduce the life of the shower cabin and washing machine, and also lead to the destruction of the joints between the tiles.

If you encounter these problems, the first thing to do is check the ventilation duct for proper operation. It is very easy to check it: bring a lit match to the air exchanger grate. If the flame reaches the grate or goes out, then everything is in order with the ventilation duct, it does an excellent job with this area of \u200b\u200bthe bathroom, and additional ventilation is not required.

And when the match does not go out, the flame reacts weakly to draft, does not sway at all, then it’s time to clean the air ducts and install an exhaust fan. To clean out, lower a cone-shaped weight into the ventilation duct on the roof. In the absence of traction “in the old fashioned way”, you can make a gap under the door – cut a piece of the door to the bathroom a couple of centimeters.

This “advice” does not stand up to scrutiny. It does not always help, secondly, it should be remembered that it is the 21st century on the street, that many owners have expensive doors installed, with a design that involves tightly closing them. What does not even the most expensive door look like after this kind of “modernization”? It might be better to think about how to install a fan in the bathroom.

Requirements for Installing an Extractor Hood

In order for your bathroom fan to do its job well, there are a few things you need to be aware of:

It is necessary to ensure the presence of a ventilation duct that functions normally. If it is clogged, the hood will not help you. It is imperative to clean the channel.
Remember that the fan, by extracting moist air, replaces it with fresh air. Thus, you need to arrange a small gap under the door to the bathroom, which has a thickness of up to 2 centimeters, otherwise it will not work to create high-quality ventilation.
The key to good bathroom ventilation is a properly selected fan, taking into account all the indicators of its operation: performance, noise characteristics, safety, functionality, quality and price.

Preparatory work

Independent connection of the fan in the bathroom is not at all difficult, but useful, since the hood is necessary for every room of this nature. Choose a moisture-proof fan for the bathroom with a hydrostat that controls the humidity in the room. Such a fan turns on automatically when the humidity in the bathroom rises above the set value.

Self-installation of an exhaust fan in the bathroom involves laying a cable, expanding the ventilation duct if necessary, connecting the hood to electricity and direct installation into the ventilation duct, sealing the voids with mounting foam, puttying if desired after the formation of the foam. The process is not complicated, and you can cope with this on your own without the involvement of specialists.

To increase ventilation efficiency, the bathroom should have an air inlet (supply ventilation) on one side and an air outlet (exhaust ventilation) on the other. But too close the location of the exit and entrance reduces the ventilation of the room. To bring fresh air into the bathroom, install a grate at the bottom of the door. It can be purchased at a hardware store and installed independently on any door, or you can purchase a bathroom door with a grate already installed.

Connecting the fan to the power supply

How comfortable an exhaust fan will be in use depends on its technical and functional capabilities, as well as on the method of switching it on. When choosing a specific scheme for connecting a fan in the bathroom, you need to weigh the pros and cons, if possible, because it is not always advisable to redo an unsuccessful option.

Using the cord

There are several options for connecting domestic bathroom exhaust fans to electrical power. Many hoods are equipped with a switch in their housing. As a rule, this is the cord that comes out of the case. By pulling it, the device is turned on or off.

However, such models are not always convenient, because fans are often installed under the ceiling or in another hard-to-reach place – above the bathroom or toilet. If the repair work in the bathroom has not yet been completed, then this type of turning on the hood seems to be the most profitable, you can additionally install a switch instead of a cord in a convenient place, laying a separate electrical wire from the fan to it and hiding it under further lining.

With 9 lights0086

The fan can be switched on simultaneously with the light sources. When you enter the bathroom and turn on the light, the hood also turns on, and accordingly, when you turn it off, it turns off, that is, the switch is one for two. However, if the “timer” function is not provided in the fan, it simply may not have time to completely update the air before you leave the room. In addition, if you go to the bathroom at night, you will wake up everyone in the household with annoying noise from the fan.

Two-button switch

If there is no dampness in the bathroom and the forced ventilation system is needed only when taking a shower or bath, you can connect the fan to a separate switch just before entering the room. Install a two-key switch at the entrance: one key will be responsible for the lighting, and the second for the exhaust fan.

Self-activation

In this case, you can turn the fan on and off as needed by pulling the string or pressing the button. Automatic shutdown additionally provides for the installation of a motion or humidity sensor. The exhaust fan in the bathroom starts to work at the set humidity level or in response to the movement of people, and turns off after a certain time on the timer. This technique is quite convenient, but not available to everyone, so it is used extremely rarely.

Wiring

When installing the fan in the bathroom and connecting it to the power supply, all safety standards must be observed. Before starting work, you should make sure that the electrician in the network is turned off. When connecting wire contacts, it is recommended to use not “twisting”, but special terminal blocks, which provide a more reliable contact.

Connect copper wiring to the location of the exhaust fan. When redecorating a bathroom without replacing tiles, the wiring must be run over the tiles. In order to maximize the masking of the cable, it can be sent to a special plastic box. You can start mounting the fan after connecting the device to the mains.

Preparing the site for the fan

The most convenient place to install an exhaust fan in the bathroom is the outlet of the room, which leads to a common shaft. A similar technological hole is present in almost all apartments to create natural ventilation. A standard ventilation duct is capable of providing air passage, which is blown by a fan with a capacity of not more than 100 cubic meters per hour.

To install the hood in the opening of the ventilation duct, it must be selected taking into account the diameter of the channel for a tight fit of the device. The diameter of such a hole, as a rule, is 100, 150 or 125 millimeters.

If the diameter of the ventilation duct is smaller than the diameter of the exhaust fan, then you can easily fix it, you just need to expand the hole with a puncher. If it turned out to be of a larger diameter than that of the fan, select a plastic pipe or corrugation for the diameter of the hood and insert it into the hole.

After that, seal the voids around the pipe with mounting foam. After setting, cut off excess foam with a sharp knife and putty if necessary. Puttying is necessary only in the situation when the size of the hole exceeds the size of the ventilation grille.

If the bathroom in your house is too large, it is recommended that you buy a more powerful extractor fan. In this case, to install such a device, it is necessary to punch an additional ventilation duct in the wall. Such a procedure can only be trusted by qualified specialists.

Installing the fan in the bathroom

Before connecting the fan to the bathroom, it is worth checking the presence of an insert-instruction in the set, which describes in detail the installation and operation of the device in Russian. Goods that come without such instructions may turn out to be of poor quality or brought into the country illegally, and this provokes many problems with their maintenance and repair.

Installation of the extractor hood in the bathroom will take you no more than 15 minutes. Remove the front cover of the machine. Apply silicone or a special polymer adhesive to the place where the device adjoins the wall. Plastic fans are very light, so this fixing technique will be enough.

Next, insert the fan into the pipe, corrugation, or directly into the hole, press firmly against the wall for a couple of minutes and attach the front cover to the self-tapping screws, they often come with the fan. To prevent various insects from entering your house through the gap of the hood, install a mosquito net on the fan before attaching the cover.

Now you know how to install a bathroom fan. Exhaust fans designed for bathrooms have many advantages, however, one rather big drawback is known in practice – high noise characteristics. There are only a few ways to muffle the device: you can trim the ventilation duct with special sound-absorbing material or install a silencer directly behind the fan.