In recent years, many people have opted for the installation of a fan in the bathrooms. This solution is ideal for drying damp areas. While this isn’t one of the easiest tasks, there are still some simple steps you can take.
The essential tools
To install an exhaust fan in a bathroom, you will need some essential tools. Usually, these are:
- the exhaust fan itself
- a ladder of 1.80 m (it allows you to access the attic)
- safety glasses
- a dust mask or respirator
- of a keyhole saw
- flexible pipe.
- Apart from that, you must have
- a cordless drill
- a 1.27 mm drill bit
- a pencil
- a drywall saw
- screws
- a stud detector
- a round wall vent or roof vent cap (depending on the type of vent you choose)
- an exterior grade silicone caulk.
That said, it is also important that you know that installing a fan in the bathroom is a prerequisite. According to the new housing code, it is not essential to install an exhaust fan in a bathroom. The latter can validly be replaced by a bathroom window with a height of at least 0.3 m – which can be opened halfway. However, if you absolutely want to do this, you must comply with the law in force in your country.
Prepare for installation
Before any installation, you should try to understand the operation of the exhaust fan for a bathroom. This will allow you to know the implication that this will represent in terms of electricity and evacuation.
Next, you need to define the power source. Usually, the latter is placed on the ceiling. However, you should check what the electrical code in your area says to see if you can share the current in your bathroom with the fan. Otherwise, you’re going to need another source. On the other hand, it is imperative that the circuit that will feed the fan is the one that supplies electricity to the other devices in the ceiling.
Once you have defined all the strategic points for the installation of the exhaust fan, you can begin the work.
Start the installation
The work will begin with the location of the vent point. This is the passage that allows the fan to exhaust air outside. The latter must be located at a distance of at least 1.80 m between the fan and the exit point. It will also face the interior of the bathroom and can be placed near places that produce the most humidity.
Once you find the vent point, you will need to cut out the location of the outer vent. For this, you will have to go to the roof of the house at the sidewall. For cutting, you must first lay the round vent or the vent cap through the locating hole. Using the pencil, make a circle where the vent or cap will fit. Then make the cut with the reciprocating saw. After the exterior, you will have to repeat the same procedure to cut the interior opening.
The last step concerns the fixation. It will begin with routing the bathroom fan to the outside. Then you need to attach the last one from the bathroom to the casing. Finally, you can revisit your installation and then test its operation.
