A bathroom fan is necessary to remove moisture and bad odors from the bathroom in your home, as well as prevent mold and mildew from growing. By removing moisture from the air, you can also prevent wallpaper and paint from peeling and prevent doors and windows from warping. Installing or replacing a fan is a fairly easy home job to do yourself with basic electrical and carpentry skills. Check out step 1 below to find out.
Step
Design and Preparation
Step 1. Determine the right CFM level for your bathroom
The first thing you'll need to install a new bathroom fan is determine the CFM level for your bathroom, so you can buy a fan of the right power.
- CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute and it refers to the amount of air the fan can move per minute. Small bathrooms need a fan with a low CFM, larger bathrooms will need a fan with a higher CFM.
- To calculate the CFM for your bathroom, multiply the volume of the room (length x width x height). For example, if your bathroom measures 11 square meters, you would multiply the ceiling height (say 2.5 m) to get a CFM level of 27 cubic meters or 960 cubic feet.
- You will find the CFM level of the new fan written on the box.
Step 2. Consider the sound level of your fan
The next thing to consider is the sound level of your new fan where the size is sone.
- New fans usually have a sound level between 0.5 (very low) and 6 (very loud) sones.
- Some people prefer very quiet fans, while others find loud fans to maintain privacy, especially in public areas of the house.
- Like CFM, the sone level of the new fan will be written on the box
Step 3. Choose the location of the fan
The location of your bathroom fan is very important. It should be installed halfway between your shower and the toilet for optimal ventilation. However, if your bathroom is very large, you will need to install more than one fan.
- If you are installing a new fan, you will need to consider the layout of your attic, where most of the fan will be located. It should be placed between 2 points, in an area free from all pipes or other obstructions.
- If you are replacing an old fan, then the easiest thing for you to do is to place the new fan in the same location (unless you have a good reason to replace it at a different point).
Step 4. Gather the required equipment
Installing a bathroom fan is a do-it-yourself homework with basic woodworking and electrical skills. Before you start, it's a good idea to have all the tools you need and materials that are easily available.
- In terms of tools, you will need some basic tools like a screwdriver and a combination of pliers, in addition there is a power drill and saw.
- In terms of materials, you will need flexible and sufficiently long drain pipes, ventilation caps, screws, putty and cable nuts. If you are making the drain pipe through the roof you will also need roofing cement, shingles and roofing nails.
- You'll also need a ladder to get to the fan from below, protective goggles and a respirator to help with drilling, and safety wood for the roof, studs or safety bridles useful for roofing work.
Method 1 of 2: Installing a New Fan
Step 1. Drill the specified holes and mark the ceiling
Use a power drill and use a shovel that is 1.9 cm extra long to drill a hole in the ceiling, where you intend to place the fan. Measure fan ventilation.
- Look into the attic, find the hole you want and clean the insulation that surrounds it. Use the housing fan size to make sure the fan will fit in the selected spot, between the 2 points.
- Go back to the bathroom and measure the side of the fan pipe that goes in. You will need these dimensions to cut the correct size of the hole in your ceiling.
- Use the mounting box and a pencil to mark the outline of the side of the fan pipe that goes into the ceiling, using the size you used.
Step 2. Cut the intake pipe hole
Use your saw to make holes in the marked section of the ceiling. If you don't have a saw, you can use a flipper or a wall punch.
- Do not let the cut part of the ceiling fall to the floor after the perforation, as much as possible add a coating or plaster.
- Use your hands to support the rectangular portion of the ceiling and slowly lower it to the floor.
- Remember to wear safety goggles and a respirator when cutting tape and coatings to protect your eyes and lungs.
Step 3. Put the fan in position
Before you screw the fan into the hole you just made, attach the 90-degree angle pipe (to the drain pipe you'll be attaching later) to properly fit the outside using paper pipe tape.
- Add the connector cable through the hole on the side of the fan, then cut the metal cage that supports it.
- Place the fan in the center position of the ceiling vent and snap it in place, making sure that each connection point is properly routed.
Step 4. Secure the fan to the rafters
When the fan is in the correct position, extend each metal cage until it reaches the rafters on each side of the unit. Use wall screws to secure each end of the bracket to the rafters.
- Now that the fan is secure, take the long, flexible conduit and secure one of the 90 degree elbow tubing protruding from the fan using paper pipe tape.
- Now is a good time to use an old or new power cord through the connector on the fan. You can secure the cable by tightening the screw on the connector. Be careful, you will need 3 wires if the new fan has a light.
Step 5. Find a good exit point for the pipeline
The next step is to find the shortest, straightest route from the fan to exit. The longer the pipeline, the less efficient it will be.
- It is important to blow the fan air to the outside. Blowing air directly into the attic will promote mold growth and potentially cause mold to develop.
- You can make the vent through the sidewall or roof, where this will work best. Just make sure that the drain pipe is straight and not tightly tied
Step 6. Attach the vent cap
The process of assembling the vent cap will largely depend on the part to get out of the roof or sidewall.
- If your exit point is on a side wall, choose a point between 2 strong walls and take some reference sizes on the "inside" so you can locate the same point on the "outside". Use a 10 cm hole saw to punch holes in the wall from the outside, then secure the vent cap.
- If your exit point is on the roof, draw a circle of the right size on the inside using a saw to punch a hole in it. Then climb onto the roof (bring safety equipment) and remove the shingles covering the newly cut hole. Install the vent cap, using roofing cement and roofing nails, then seal any holes in the shingles.
- Return to the attic and secure the end of the drain pipe to the duct vent cap connector using drain paper tape.
Step 7. Connect that connection to the home section
Depending on the type of fan, you will need a cable for connection from the attic or from the bathroom. Make sure you read the manufacturer's manual and check again if the power is off during the process.
- Open the housing and pull the fan cable from the electrical section. Cut 1.6 cm of each wire in both the fan cord and the power cord you added at the beginning.
- Join wires of the same color (usually white and black or red and black) and add connectors. Tie the copper part of the wire around the green clip or screw and tighten it securely.
- Put the cable back into the electrical section and remove the cap.
- If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, don't hesitate to call an authorized electrician to install the fan or to check your work when it's done.
- Also be careful that aluminum (rather than copper) cables require special handling and electrical work on this type of cable should be done by a professional.
Step 8. Put the grid together
Now you will be done. Plug the blower into a power outlet and secure it with screws.
- Install the plastic lattice by inserting the end of the cable into the space provided on the housing. Make sure it sits neatly against the ceiling -- slightly spread the ends of the wires to create more slack, if needed.
- Turn on and test your new bathroom fan to make sure it works.
Method 2 of 2: Replacing a Used Fan
Step 1. Turn off the fan
Before you start, you need to turn off the fan from the circuit box.
Step 2. Unplug the machine and disconnect the cable
Put on gloves, safety goggles and a respirator and remove the grille covering the old fan. You will be surprised at the amount of dust and dirt that falls!
- Remove the screws or remove the blower from the housing, then unscrew the electrical section and carefully pull the wires.
- Disconnect the connector and separate the cable to disconnect it. It's a good idea to double-check the cable is dead before doing that.
- Loosen the cable to free the power cable from the fan.
Step 3. Go to the attic and remove the fan housing equipment
In the attic, remove the drain pipe from the house section and close the connecting duct vent.
- Pull the power cord and disconnect it from the housing.
- Use a power drill to unscrew the screws attached to the old fan cage on the rafters, then lift the old fan from the ceiling.
Step 4. Install the new fan
Go back to your bathroom and take the new fan out of its packaging. If it's the same size as your old fan, you can install it right away.
- However, if the new fan is bigger than the old fan, you will need to enlarge the hole in the ceiling. You can do this by gluing the outline of your fan to the ceiling, then punching a hole to size with a saw.
- If your new fan is smaller than your old one, you can caulk around the edges to fill in any holes when the fan is installed.
- Go into the attic and place the new fan into the existing hole or the enlarged hole. Make sure that it is oriented correctly for all electrical parts and lines.
- Cut off the excess ends of the brackets and secure them to the rafters using a power drill and 2.5 cm wall screws. You will need someone to help hold the fan down while you do this.
Step 5. Unite the channels
When the fan is in place, connect the 90-degree angle duct to the fan duct using metal screws. Then unite the new line pipe 10, 2 - 15, 2 cm in the bend of the pipe.
- It is also possible to use the exhaust pipe from the old fan, but if the diameter is less than 10.2 cm you will need to install a drain pipe reducer before installing the pipe
- However be careful if using a smaller drain pipe, the old pipe will make the fan work less efficiently.
Step 6. Connect the cables
Add the power cord to the new fan connector and secure it with a cable clamp.
- Open the electrical box (from the attic or bathroom, depending on the model) and pull the fan cord.
- Connect the power cable to the fan cable by joining the wires of the same color together (white to white and black or red to black) and connecting the cable connectors.
- Tie the copper part of the cable under a clip or bolt and secure it for security. Pull all the wires into the amperage box and replace the cap.
Step 7. Complete the outside work
If you are replacing your old plumbing with a newer, larger one, you will need to install a larger vent cap on the roof or wall.
- Use whatever safety measures are required to work at height. Remove the old vent cap and use a saw to increase the size of the opening for the new duct
- Pull the end of the drain pipe through the hole to a 1.9 cm extension beyond the edge of the roof or wall. Secure the place with metal screws and lock the edges with putty.
- Secure the new vent cap over the end of the duct pipe. If the vent pipe is on the roof, replace any shingles that may be missing.
Step 8. Put the grid together
Go back to the bathroom and install the blower machine by screwing it into place and using screws for security. Put the grille plastic together, then turn it on to test if your new fan is working.
Tips
- Make sure that the fan moves enough air for the size of the bathroom you are using.
- If you are unsure of doing electrical, wall or duct work, hire someone to do it for you. You will save a lot of time and frustration and it will be worth the cost.
- Use the fan as low as you can get, you'll be happy in the end.
- Use stairs for high ceilings
- Purchase a bathroom fan from a trusted seller.
Warning
- If using heavy equipment in any part of the job, make sure you know how it works and follow all recommended safety procedures.
- If you don't know about electricity, it would be best to hire someone who knows about wiring. Incorrectly connected cables to the right or wrong cables will cause damage including fire or could kill you.
- If using stairs, ask someone to help when you install the fan.
- Make sure you follow all the instructions properly.
- Turn off the power before installing this equipment
