How to Install a Bathroom Exhaust Fan Duct
Bathroom exhaust fan ducts are connected from the bathroom exhaust fan to the exterior of the building. The bathroom exhaust fan is usually in the ceiling of the bathroom. It exhausts warm and moist air from the bathroom to the outside of the building, using the duct work as the passageway. Without a bathroom exhaust system, the warmth and humidity would promote mold growth, wood rot, corrosion of metallic items, and early failure of drywall. It is fairly easy to install a bathroom exhaust fan duct and can be completed in a few hours. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- 1/4-inch drill bit
- Cordless drill
- 4 1/4-inch hole saw
- Extension ladder
- Wall cap
- Exterior screws
- Silicone caulk
- Caulk gun
- Flexible aluminum ducting
- Utility knife
- Wire cutter
- Metal clamps
- Screwdriver
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Instructions
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Climb into the attic and locate where the exhaust duct will penetrate the exterior wall of the house. Drill a 1/4-inch hole in the exterior wall at this location. This will allow you easily find the right spot from the outside.
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2
Go outside and set up an extension ladder. Drill a 4 1/4-inch hole with a hole saw through the exterior wall. Use the 1/4-inch hole as your center point for the larger hole.
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3
Slide the pipe stub of the wall cap through the hole and secure the wall cap to the exterior wall with exterior screws. Caulk around the wall cap with a high-quality exterior silicone caulk.
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4
Go back inside to the attic and measure the distance from the outlet on the exhaust fan to the pipe stub that comes in from the wall cap. Take that measurement and add 12 inches to it. This will be how long you need to cut your flexible aluminum duct.
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Cut your flexible aluminum duct at the specified measurement with a utility knife. Use a wire cutter to cut the reinforcement wire.
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Slide one end over the outlet on the exhaust fan. Place a metal clamp over the duct and tighten the clamp to secure it to the exhaust fan outlet.
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Slide the other end of the of the aluminum duct over the pipe stub coming from the wall cap. Place a metal clamp over the duct and tighten this clamp to secure the ducting to the pipe stub. Your exhaust fan should now be properly routed to the exterior of the building.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep the duct as straight as possible from the exhaust fan to the wall cap. If possible, locate the wall cap directly from the exhaust fan outlet. This will maximize the airflow from the fan and create peak efficiency.
Wear safety glasses when drilling holes through the exterior wall. Wood chips and debris can get in the eye and cause injury if safety glasses are not worn.
