A bathroom fan through the roof is an excellent way that gives you good ventilation. Because of this, the internal wind of the house comes easily. And the outside one goes out of the room. It also reduces the foul smells of the bathroom.
So, the entire process of venting a bathroom fan throughout the roof usually requires two crucial things. It is possible to complete the procedure using reciprocating or hole saw drills. Both processes are straightforward, but climbing over the roof may be difficult. In that case, wearing a dust mask and carrying a long staircase is necessary.
This blog will briefly summarize all these processes, DIY tips, and mistakes. So try to finish reading the article from the beginning to the top.
6 Steps To Vent A Bathroom Fan Through The Roof: Quick Process
Many people like to establish their bathroom fan cap underneath the roof shingles. It is the most secure place, which doesn’t bother one anymore. Before proceeding to the main work, I suggest checking the manufacturer’s guide. However, follow the instructions and try to complete each of them sharply.
Step-1: Gather Necessary Tools
The first thing to do is gather the tools needed to do this job. With those tools, the work becomes more facile, even if you’re a professional carpenter or a beginner. So collect them quickly,
- A heavy-duty hammer;
- A strong utility knife;
- A thin and strong pry bar;
- A drilling machine or driver;
- 41/4″-inches of hole saw a bit;
- A crimping tool (for cutting edges);
- An aviation snips tool (for bending);
- Caulk gun (for re-attaching parts).
Step-2: Choose The Location
One of the common problems you may feel when installing a bathroom fan is choosing the right areas. Find a suitable path from the roof. It is probably better to nail the vent fan at the top of the roof. If the place you choose fits the vent fan, try to trace it with a pen.
It will help to find the place later while eradicating the shingles. After fixing the location, drive a nail through the roof. Also, try to place the vent in the center so that the two rafters will stay in the middle.
Step-3: Cut Off The Shingles & Make A Hole
Now, cut off the shingles from the attics. Pick up the nails, and separate one of the single pieces. Use a knife or a putty knife to do the job comfortably. Once it is finished, make a circle with a marker pen to dig a hole over there.
Don’t forget to break the weather seal with a pry bar. For doing this fruitfully, make sure to put the pry bar inside the shingles as if it will surround the nails. It is crucial to do so since sliding and breaking the shingles may break the weather seal. Now use a 4-5 inches depth hole saw to make a hole inside the roof. Sand the hole for the perfect fit.
Step-4: Plait The Duct Of The Bathroom Fittings
Once finished installing it on the rooftop, get out from there. Next, try to go inside the shingles and separate the bathroom connector fittings from there. This time, collect an extra duct from attaching with these main fittings to make adjustable joints. Now take the newer one, and use a taper to bend the opening of the duct.
The taper will bend the openings to fit the duct with the oldest one. Seal the opening by cutting some duct tape, and combining it with the opposite end of the insulated chimney. It would be best if it were tied with a solid zip likewise nylon or aluminum. By this, the joints won’t get loose even if the joints of the two ducts get detached.
Step-5: Attach The Pipe To The Bath Vent Fan
Now, it’s time to move the end parts of the pipe and attach this to the bathroom exhaust fan. At the same time, pass the other parts of the pipes through the hole underneath the roof. Now, it is time to bend the tabs. Use a hammer or a taper to bend them, whatever you have. Lastly, adjust this to the tabs of the roof.
After finishing the bending task, the hooded tabs run the thickest bead of terpolymer sealant. This sealer is the best fit to attach the hooded tabs to the top edge of the vent fan. Apply them over the side and top; leave the front parts, as they may get loose if they come close to water.
Step-6: Put The Bathroom Vent Underneath The Shingles
Take a putty knife and make a vast space to put the vent underneath the shingles. You can use the knife to loosen the shingles. Now, place the vent cap inside the roof. Use some wax or sealer again for extra protection. Seal the roof shingles with glue or wax, whatever comes in handy.
Before making a way to put the bathroom vent, ensure that it doesn’t break away; simply pull them one after one and place the vent cap. Afterward, I sealed the opening with wax or glue once again.
Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make While Venting A Bath Fan Through The Roof
Some people usually get depressed if their bathroom venting process goes wrong. To get proficiency at this, try to avoid the following mistakes. I find those common mistakes which may retain you to do the job with clarity. In most cases, people try to do it correctly but fail repeatedly. So check them asap.
- Mistakenly Opt For Contractor-Grade Fans
Choosing a usual bath fan is a common mistake that anyone can make. Therefore, purchase a well-contractor fan. Don’t rely on the seller. They only produce the one they think is perfect. A bath fan typically belongs to the CFM required to ventilate the space without considering other performances.
Don’t do this anymore from now. Try to purchase a minimal one that is suitable for the correct application. It would be best if anyone chooses a contractor-grade fan. Contractor-grade fans let everyone select plentiful options such as installed over different model bathrooms, exhaust points, grille preferences, etc.
- Cut Them In The Wrong Size
Cutting the ventilation pipe in the wrong sizing is another one. Bathroom fans usually come to an average length and weight. A wrong-size bathroom fan often creates a detrimental issue because it can eliminate or pull out too much air. A damaging problem is also dangerous since they are responsible for deficit issues.
As a result, the bathroom may be filled with unfiltered outside air. If you must extract 100 feet, use 1 CFM. To find the right size, multiply the bath length times the bath width.
- Secure The Fans Deceitfully
Fix or secure the bath fans in a positioned way. Try to fix them in the correct location. As mentioned above, an exact location is a tram card to achieve perfection and excellence to finish the task by itself. Although it requires some practice, venting the fan in the incorrect location is the main culprit for foggy mirrors and mold build-up.
To skip these errors, take help from any professional or your partner. Send your friend to trace the location righteously and ensure to trace the exact line to install the fan vent. Second, put a marker pen or any objects on the place to find it easily during the task.
- Depends Only On One Instead Of Two
A luxurious bathroom with a gigantic bathtub, more expansive water closets, a gorgeous fountain shower, or jet tubes might require a good CFM exhaust fan. Note that the more luxurious it is, the more it tends to several ventilation points. Of course, multiple fans can do the job fruitfully, but it will increase your monthly bill simultaneously.
This is why it is wise to install an additional or a high-profile fan rather than opt for the multiple options. You can find enormous options for such features on websites.
- Leave The Fan Without Clean
After installation, it is strictly advisable to clean the bathroom fans weekly. I know it may sound too complicated or tedious. Yet, cleaning the bathroom fans is beneficial. The most important fact is that they imply a way to prevent the junks and dirt which may block the fan’s clefts.
Use any mild cleanser to clean them. Don’t forget to rub and scrub with any suitable brush. Turn on the fan for at least 15 minutes after finishing the cleaning procedures.
Reasons Why You Need To Vent A Bathroom Fan
A well-vented bathroom fan is a key to locking the moisture and making it less polluted. Installing a bathroom fan contributes more benefits than making the internal atmosphere sustainable. Here are some of them:
- Stop Producing Continued Bad Smells
A foul odor is a common issue in the bathroom. But when it continues over time, it becomes more disgusting to tolerate. An exhaust fan or healthy ventilation will suck off the foul odors and fill the room with fresh air. This procedure will continue until the fans are turned off.
- Cease The Mold Growth
A venting bathroom is essential to reducing mold growth. Bathroom fans control both the inside and outside air to establish ventilation. For this reason, the most affected areas of mold growth like wallboard, sofas, wall paint, and trims become dry and secured.
Even though the total cost of venting and buying a bathroom fan may be expensive, keeping the bathroom healthy and hygienic is essential.
DIY Tips For Venting Bathroom Fans Through The Roof Without Damaging
Venting the bathroom fan at the top of the roof may not be accessible to people who are not experts. But it could be applicable if you follow some tricks. So, take some ideas from the tips below to make it spontaneous and unswerving.
- Note The Right Size Of The Bathroom Ventilation
Try to note the right size; it’s a common task but worthy of making mistakes. One can find right-sized ventilation outside with the vent cap. Before installing the one, check twice to grab the correct size. It’s important since a more extensive size opens an option to widen the hole for the vent pipe.
Also, don’t forget that a more significant and suitable typical helps overcome detriment.
- Avoid Wood Framing Components
Before deciding to vent the bathroom fan through the roof, make sure to wrap them with wooden materials. It happens because of the excess moisture accumulation over the roof deck, which could speed up mold growth. Try to cover them with a plastic duct or aluminum-made cap. Bent their opening if it won’t match at the beginning of the holes.
Related Questions:
Is It OK To Vent A Bathroom Exhaust Fan Into The Roof?
Venting a bathroom exhaust fan directly over the roof may harm its shield most. In most cases, the roof’s wooden shield produces a lot of moisture or is damaged by the bathroom water, which is the common tendency of mold to grow. Again, they will affect the bathroom atmosphere and ruin the walls, taps, and other fittings.
To avoid such problems, use any venting cap that keeps the water from coming close to the roof. Try to smear some wax or glue to block the water leakage issues.
Do Bathroom Exhaust Fans Need To Be Vented Outside?
Many experts suggest venting those exhaust fans outside. It’s because bathroom fan exhaust requires outdoor installation to avoid harmful impacts. If it isn’t handy to install, try to seek help from a professional. Luckily, nowadays, many people do this task on their own using the exhaust fan venting kit.
Since those kits come with every hook and crook, a person can easily install them anywhere. Venting kits produce a practical pathway to adjust the fan outside. Another positive thing is hanging them out will prevent the bathroom from water leaks or dampening.
Is It OK To Vent A Bathroom Fan Through The Soffit?
Venting a bathroom fan through the soffit is the most prominent way. This works great to keep the monthly budget in your pocket. Soffit is an ultimate source that helps release the warm air from the bathroom.
Soffit is also helpful to keep the bathroom atmosphere comfortable. Installing the bathroom fan soffit is difficult if you make a hole inside the roof. To avoid creating a hole whenever you choose to install them.
How Do You Vent A Bathroom With No Outside Access?
Venting a bathroom with no outside access can be done if one follows some steps. The method is not accessible to people who don’t know this. But accessing them outside may have been done with a particular tool called the ceiling vent. It is a unique machine that anyone can use to install without any access to the outside.
In other words, a ceiling vent is a machine that looks like an open window. It allows moisture to be released from the bathroom. Ceiling vents usually become more convenient if added or installed when the house is built.
Do You Need A Separate Vent For Each Bathroom Fan?
A ceiling vent is often adjusted to the bathroom fan. Each bathroom fan requires separate venting tools. So if anyone has two or four bathroom fans, they must add or install them equally. An individual vent is essential since it releases the bathroom’s foul smells and the air outside.
Use a good installation kit to assemble two to three bathroom fans. Dig two separate holes over the house roof. Also, adjust the bathroom fan fittings to the ceiling while digging the hole before adding the vent cap.
How Much Does It Cost To Vent A Bathroom Fan Through The Roof?
Installing a bathroom fan through the roof can be done by yourself or with the help of a professional. If someone wants to do it independently, the expenses may not be too high.
Again, hiring any professional to do the task fruitfully may cost up to $50-$300 or more. It is the cost of a single bathroom fan installation. The expenses may vary depending on how many venting caps one needs to install according to the bathroom fan.
Final verdict:
Now, you may be clear about how to vent a bathroom fan through the roof; the process becomes easier for you now. You can easily understand all the procedures. The above method will help you a lot to do them with clarity.
If you’re still unable to do it on your own, I suggest taking help from a friend or someone else. Remember that a problematic task might not seem easy at first, but it can be if anyone continues to practice. So be patient and try to finish the job from beginning to end.
