Help With Downstairs Bathroom Fan

[DKAudio]

Before I sheetrock the ceiling of my basement bathroom I want to install a bathroom fan but am not sure what to do. There is a joist (pictured) that I would have to go through, a 16" gap and then another joist before going outside. I only have acess to that first joist because the wall is right under it. Is there another alternative (ventless fan)? It is a really small bathroom so I wouldn't need something big. I just don't want the humidity from showers ruining the wood/walls.

[HayZee518]

vent free wouldn't really help as you'd be trapping the moisture at the upstairs floor level. could you "box" in that one joist section so you would have a direct line to access the outside wall? what I mean is cut the one joist, apply a cross 2 BY on both sides to the outside wall? with the 2 BY nailed into the existing joists and the one you cut into the cross 2BY I don't think you'd be compromising the integrity of the joist system.

[DKAudio]

hmm, I would rather not do that, the way the joists are it would be very difficult to cut even with a sawzall. It is also about 1.5' away from the main load barring wall in the basement and upstairs.

[LazyPup]

Have you considered installing the vent in a wall near the ceiling then run the exhaust vent under the floor joists to the nearest outside wall and discharging through the wall like a laundry dryer vent?

[DKAudio]

That is a good idea, the only problem is that all the joists are filled with something already. One has the dryer vent, another is all the electrical, lines for the outside AC unit, maines into the breaker panel, etc.