I have two bathroom fans that I discovered aren't connected to the outside vents designed for them. The thing is, no one I've talked to can tell me what I should use to connect the darn things. ANY info at all would be GREATLY appreciated!
2007-08-13 03:23:47 · 5 answers · asked by Tim 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Both Sensible_Man and Dave S make good points. Excpet when Dave S said that venting your bathroom into your attic was not a problem, it can be. While venting odors into your attic is no big deal (unless you're the one in the attic) venting steam can be. Depending on where you live, it can lead to exces smoisture which can cause many different problems from compacted insulation (which doesn't insulate very well) to mold and mildew.
I would take a bit from each of them... Go to your local "Home Supply Store" (Lowes, Home Depot, Ace, or a neighborhood hardware store) and describe what you have. You may be better off with kits, or you may be better off with a few pieces. Kind of depends how much is already there.
Make sure your vent runs downhill FROM the bathroom or condensation will run back down the pipe and most likely into the bathroom.
Lastly... Avoid the urge to use one vent for both pipes. Leave that to professionals. If both fans are on at the same time neither will be able to move it's normal volume of air because it gets (for lack of a better term) backed up at the vent. [It's like trying to take 2 lanes of heavy traffic to 1 lane... you go half as fast.] the other thing I've seen is, with one fan on and one off, bathroom 'A' vents into bathroon 'B'
Long responce, but I hope it helps...
2007-08-13 04:28:35 · answer #1 · answered by jojo_de_moon 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Any home store (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) sells everything you need. I bought a kit for mine when I remodeled my bath. Came with the outside vent, flexible ductwork, and all the clamps and hardware. You can also buy all of these separately. If your fans are currently exhausting straight into your attic, that really doesn't hurt anything. The only problem may be air from your attic might seep back into your bathroom unless the fan seals really good.
2007-08-13 03:44:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, do not connect it to the plumbing vent. Take the exhaust duct from the ceiling fan and vent it separately - they make termination kits to go through a soffit, sidewall, or roof.
2016-05-21 05:50:05 · answer #3 · answered by dominique 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can use the flexible plastic covered duct or rigid metal duct. I prefer the metal as the corrugated retains some moisture in it. The duct should be pitched towards the outside wall to assure drainage. If you are in a cold winter climate, you may want to insulate the duct.
2007-08-13 03:35:29 · answer #4 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Poly tubing made for this. Looks like dryer vent tubing but is 3" diameter instead of 4".
2007-08-13 04:38:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋