If your bathroom fan is malfunctioning improperly, an obstruction could be to blame. With just a few easy steps you can clear this obstruction away and ensure proper functioning of your fan system.
Utilize a layout square and measurements from your vent fan housing to select an exit point for the flexible duct from within your attic, using it to guide selection of its location on a wall.
1. Clean the Blades
Maintaining clean blades is crucial to the airflow in a building, and can be done by mixing water with an all-purpose cleaner or degreaser, or by using small brushes such as toothbrushes to access hard-to-reach areas.
Before beginning, ensure the power to your fan has been turned off. Remove its cover by taking apart any screws or clips holding it together, placing them somewhere safe so they do not get misplaced.
If your vent cover is made of plastic, you can submerge it in hot soapy water to dissolve any dirt or hairspray that has settled onto its surface. Be sure to rinse well after letting it sit before letting it dry; use a damp microfiber cloth afterwards to wipe down both fan and housing unit.
2. Check the Motor
Fan motors are at the core of your exhaust fan. If they stop functioning as intended, your vent fan could become noisy or underperforming; according to Repair Clinic this could be caused by any number of factors including:
Unplug the fan and carefully unthread each screw that holds down its motor assembly. If any are hidden within vent covers, use a flashlight to help locate them.
Clean the motor and fan housing thoroughly to remove as much dust as possible using either vacuuming, microfiber cloth cleaning, or both methods, but be wary not to get any liquid onto motor components and fan. Once this step has been completed, check belt tension. A tight belt can increase noise and wear; one that’s too loose won’t allow adequate turning of fan blades.
3. Check the Belt
If your fan produces noise similar to tires over rough roadways or metal against metal, its belt may have cracked and not efficiently turning the blade. Replace it (see #1). In addition, check if any screws or bolts have come loose from its pulley or motor housing before tightening them retighten them as necessary (see #2).
If a large combination light/heat/exhaust fan with a wall switch isn’t functioning as it should be, it may be because its damping plate has become stuck within its vent opening. Spray some lubricant on it and try moving it back and forth to loosen it; if this doesn’t do the trick, check that all wire connections at its receptacle on the wall as well as its nuts holding them are secure.
4. Check the Housing
Some fans feature removable covers that can be opened to access their fan motor and connections. If this is your unit, simply unscrew its screws holding down the cover and open it up in order to inspect these connections.
If the cover and mounting screws appear satisfactory, replace them and tighten. If replacing the motor is an option for your fan, find one compatible by entering its manufacturer and model number into an online parts store search engine.
If you are replacing an entire vent fan, start by using a stud finder to locate and mark the nearest rafter or truss near where your existing hole in your bathroom ceiling currently resides. With your framing square or layout square transfer this measurement into your attic ceiling where a new opening must be cut with a drywall saw to center over the old hole.
5. Check the Connections
Be it repair or replacement, reconnect all electrical wires to their respective housings after any motor replacement project is completed. This is especially important if your old motor still connects to its wire guard (as is sometimes the case). When selecting a new replacement fan motor from stores or dealers, bring in your old one for comparison purposes and the right replacement can be selected based on bolt pattern matching and bolt pattern match-up; when cutting white Molex(tm) connectors may invalidate UL safety ratings of fans; new connectors can be obtained at electronic hardware supply stores or dealers.
6. Check the Connections to the Ducts
If the fan appears to be working but is still not effectively extracting moisture from your bathroom, it may not be venting correctly. Check that its vent duct is clear and allows airflow into and out of the bathroom; otherwise it might be time for a ventilation fan repair.
First, shut off the power to your bathroom fan at your circuit breaker panel and remove and clean its grille using either a sponge or microfiber cloth. Next, locate the vent duct opening in its housing and push your finger through to press against it; according to One Good Thing this should make the plate that closes off vent move freely if not, spray some lubricant onto it to help it do so more easily.
If the duct becomes detached or damaged, use foil duct tape to secure it to its port in the fan housing. For extra ducting needs, run new ducting through your attic before connecting it using a knockout cap kit to vent opening in ceiling.
7. Check the Connections to the Ceiling
Create your cutting lines using a power drill and stud finder. Drill a hole where you want the fan to go in your ceiling where a reference hole should be, using tape or layout square to mark where rafters or joists near this reference hole are. Mark them off using tape or layout square.
Unscrew and open the electrical splice unit inside of your attic housing to access your attic space. Pull out fan wiring, strip 5/8-inch back, and connect according to instructions that came with your new fan. Don’t forget a grounding wire around green screw in electrical splice unit as well. Additionally, caulk any vent pipe attachment points so moisture cannot leak into your attic, potentially leading to mold growth issues.
To create airtight connections, caulk between the vent flange and ceiling drywall before sealing each duct joint using metal foil tape. This will help keep any moisture expelled by fans out of attics or walls.
Before installing a fan in the bathroom, start by turning off all circuit breakers that serve it and disconnecting any existing electrical wiring from its previous motor. If your fan includes lights, label all wires accordingly and follow manufacturer’s instructions when connecting them.
If possible, climb into the attic and locate the fan’s reference hole. Measure its dimensions before marking cut lines on the ceiling using a layout square or framing square. Once inside, extend metal brackets protruding from either side of its housing unit onto joists on both sides and secure each end with drywall screws for optimal results.
8. Check the Connections to the Wall
Before beginning work on the fan, ensure all circuit breakers serving your bathroom have been disabled. In addition, use a noncontact voltage tester to verify that there is no power to the wiring; once this test shows that there is none present then disconnect its wires from its junction box and take down your old fan.
If you’re installing a fan for the first time, start by using a stud finder to locate where your vent opening will be situated in walls and ceilings. Next, create the cutting lines using a template or layout square before using size measurements of fan outlet to purchase flexible aluminum duct. Also purchase vent caps along with extra screws and caulk as necessary.
Before installing a vent fan, use a stud finder to identify ceiling joists. Depending on your fan model selection, drilling into wall studs may be required in order to run ductwork to it. Once you’ve located an ideal spot, mark off drywall using a layout square before marking and cutting cutting lines with power drill and jigsaw.
Verify all electrical connections connecting to the fan are off using a non-contact voltage tester, then open up the housing unit and remove both duct connector hose from ductwork as well as wiring from an attic electrical splice unit.
Secure one end of a length of flexible duct pipe to the 90-degree elbow protruding from your vent fan with foil duct tape, then slip the other end through into your vent cap connector hose before tightening its screw to secure.
