Bathroom Ventilation Fan

[ebonyknight]

That was the hardest DIY yet for me. Unfortunately, I made it harder on myself, than was necessary. Putting it in from the room was definitely more difficult, but won't be as bad when I do the others from this experience.

I got so frustrated I stopped for the night. I was going to just have lowes come in and finish it. The problem was mounting it to the joist. It is located right where the mesh connecting several joists came together. I kept trying to screw through it and got frustrated.

Came back today and finished it. I just decided to stop making it hard and went up to the attic, wired it up (twice) and just nailed it in place. I then made sure it was air tight with the bathroom with the silver tape. I must say, it looked quite professional before I put the vent on.

I ended up wiring it twice because I didn't count on the wiring not reaching and stretched it. I tested the fan the first time and it ran. When I finally secured it and tested it, the fan wouldnt' run. DAMN! Went back up there and rewired it properly and it still wouldn't work. I was about to lose it and then realized the fan plug, fell out. :doh:

Closed it up and boom. I don't have a three light switch hookup so I just connected both to the same hot wire. So they both come on when I flip the switch.

The other two arent very accessible from the attic, so I will have to reconsider my methods and install them from the bathroom. Having this experience, I think I can do it.

Thanks.

[paul52446m]

I doubt it. It is builders grade. It looks thin. I just got a ventilator with a light. Didn't see a need for a heater. Guess that was a good call.

Sounds like you are on the right track. I am going on a vacation for a week
so i hope i helped you a little Paul

[ebonyknight]

I doubt it. It is builders grade. It looks thin. I just got a ventilator with a light. Didn't see a need for a heater. Guess that was a good call.

[paul52446m]

It's difficult to describe (since I don't know what it's called, you probably do). It's plastic with metal rings every 2 or 3 inches. Kinda collapsible. They guy suggested I put screws in, but I would only be able to do that on the connector going to the metal adapter. The 'duct' is plastic, so if I were to screw it, it would tear the duct (eventually).

That duct is called insulated flex duct. I is insulated right?
Your new fan does not have a heater? If it does you can't use that duct.
Is it duct ed to the out side? Paul

[paul52446m]

Are you saying that the motor is bigger? Or the housing is bigger? It is so much easier to change a motor than the whole thing. Perhaps it make sense to check. The motors are usually interchangable.

If not, the easiest thing would be to bite the bullet, open the wall and change out the whole thing.

I think he said this was
a ceiling fan not a wall fan. Its an old style so he wants to change it out.
When this happened to me a while back, I ordered a motor in 3 times and had to cut bolts off, and use spacers on the other side of the motor. I wish i would have put a new fan in. Mine was a heater,lite, and fan. Paul

[ebonyknight]

Are you saying that the motor is bigger? Or the housing is bigger? It is so much easier to change a motor than the whole thing. Perhaps it make sense to check. The motors are usually interchangable.

If not, the easiest thing would be to bite the bullet, open the wall and change out the whole thing.

I don't know, but it isn't much more difficult (in my mind) to just replace the whole thing and if it fails again in another 5-10 years, I won't have to go through this again.

[ebonyknight]

Since this duct work is up in the attic where you don't keep a eye on it. I always put screws in all my joints. Then tape it to seal it. Be careful to not let any screws interfere with the damper. What part of these parts did they say would not last more than five years? The Make those increase rs in plastic so there don't rust. What kind of duct do you have in the attic? Paul

It's difficult to describe (since I don't know what it's called, you probably do). It's plastic with metal rings every 2 or 3 inches. Kinda collapsible. They guy suggested I put screws in, but I would only be able to do that on the connector going to the metal adapter. The 'duct' is plastic, so if I were to screw it, it would tear the duct (eventually).

[EIFSpector]

Are you saying that the motor is bigger? Or the housing is bigger? It is so much easier to change a motor than the whole thing. Perhaps it make sense to check. The motors are usually interchangable.

If not, the easiest thing would be to bite the bullet, open the wall and change out the whole thing.

[paul52446m]

Just went to lowes. Got a claw hammer and a saw, so that I can saw the nails.

The pipe sizes are different so I had to get a 3" to 4" duct connector. It's metal, so I am going to have to use metal tape to secure it. The guy there says, it's only expected to last five years or so. So zip ties or screws wont help. I am stuck with the tape and will just have to remember to check it in 5 years.

I'll try putting in the first one tomorrow.

Since this duct work is up in the attic where you don't keep a eye on it. I always put screws in all my joints. Then tape it to seal it. Be careful to not let any screws interfere with the damper. What part of these parts did they say would not last more than five years? The Make those increase rs in plastic so there don't rust. What kind of duct do you have in the attic? Paul

[ebonyknight]

Yeah, I thought about that, but it was a builders grade installed 12 years ago (when the house was built). The cheapest one (with a light) for $30, is bigger than the old one. I assume the more expensive ones are still bigger.

[EIFSpector]

If you purchase the same fan you can keep the same housing and simply change out the motor. I know that in the Nutone the motor bracket has changed, but it is still the same motor. If you pull off the fan blade (it does pull off), there are two screws that hold the motor onto the bracket.

It really is a very easy fix. No holes in the wall. The whole thing should take about 10 minutes.

[ebonyknight]

Just went to lowes. Got a claw hammer and a saw, so that I can saw the nails.

The pipe sizes are different so I had to get a 3" to 4" duct connector. It's metal, so I am going to have to use metal tape to secure it. The guy there says, it's only expected to last five years or so. So zip ties or screws wont help. I am stuck with the tape and will just have to remember to check it in 5 years.

I'll try putting in the first one tomorrow.

[paul52446m]

Well, here's the update. It's what I thought after reading your replies. It's secured to the joist by the box plates at both ends. One problem. The builders used 4 nails, instead of screws to secure it.

So I have two options. The cables are out of the way if I decide to use tin snips. I could cut off 3/4s of the box, so that I can access the joists. I could also use a large flat head to try to pry it out, without cutting. But I have a feeling that may be harder. Or I could (as previously suggested) pry a little bit, then slide a saw up there and cut through them.

Now that I know how it looks, I can probably do it from inside the house. Which comes in handy with the two other fans, I plan to replace to have them all match.

What are your recommendations?

As an aside, they attached the hose with duct tape. Needless to say the insulation around the pipe is dirty. I guess it came apart long ago. I will have to go get a flange.

With out seeing it, its hard to say which way to go. If you can push up the unattached side so it goes above the drywall then you can put a flat pry bar between the box and the joist and that should pull the nails as you pry it away from the joist. paul

[ebonyknight]

Well, here's the update. It's what I thought after reading your replies. It's secured to the joist by the box plates at both ends. One problem. The builders used 4 nails, instead of screws to secure it.

So I have two options. The cables are out of the way if I decide to use tin snips. I could cut off 3/4s of the box, so that I can access the joists. I could also use a large flat head to try to pry it out, without cutting. But I have a feeling that may be harder. Or I could (as previously suggested) pry a little bit, then slide a saw up there and cut through them.

Now that I know how it looks, I can probably do it from inside the house. Which comes in handy with the two other fans, I plan to replace to have them all match.

What are your recommendations?

As an aside, they attached the hose with duct tape. Needless to say the insulation around the pipe is dirty. I guess it came apart long ago. I will have to go get a flange.

[paul52446m]

I am a decent do it yourselfer. I have installed ceiling fans, installed a dishwasher and such.

I am now installing a bathroom ventilation fan. I thought it would be no problem. Maybe having to cut a little drywall at the most difficult. So I go and buy one and yes, it is a little bigger. No problem. so I remove the old fan and then try to move the housing. It won't move. I assume it is attached to the joist. Problem....I see no mounting screw(s). If I push up on it, is seems to be attached to one side, but I see no screws to unscrew.

I could go up into the attic, it's not far, but I would rather not muck about up there. I have a feeling I know what the answer is going to be, but I thought I would ask anyway. Any alternative into going into the attic and digging through insulation?

Broan Bathroom Fans - Broan Bath Fans Look at these fans and you will see the two different ways they are mounted. Paul