How to Install a Bath Fan
Keep your bathroom comfortable and avoid foggy mirrors with a bath ventilation system
Bath fans are essential for removing moisture, heat and odors from the bathroom.
This guide walks you through the basic steps required for the installation of a new bath ventilation system.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS PROJECT
Drills
Bits
Fish Tape
Keyhole or jab saw
Reciprocating saw
blades
Wire stripper
Lineman's pliers
2 x 4-inch lumber
Roof vent
Straps
Screws
Roofing sealant
Shingles
Roofing nails
Caulk
Wire nuts
TOOLS
- Drill and Bits
- Fish tape
- Keyhole or jab Saw
- Reciprocating saw and blades
- Wire stripper
- Lineman's pliers
- Screwdriver
- Utility knife
MATERIALS
- Bathroom vent fan
- Flexible ducts
- 2 x 4-inch Lumber
- Roof vent
- Straps
- Screws
- Roofing sealant
- Shingles
- Roofing nails
- Caulk
- Wire nuts
1
CUT THE HOLE
Safety: Never vent to an attic or subfloor as moist air creates an environment for mold and mildew growth.
• Locate where you want to place the fan. We recommend placing it over a toilet -- do not mount it above a tub or shower. Mark the location by inserting a 16d nail into the drywall at each corner so the nails will protrude into the attic.
• From the attic, locate the nails and mark the location of the fan with a pencil.
• Cut out the drywall or plaster with a drywall saw or reciprocating saw. Start your cut by drilling a hole in the drywall large enough to accept the saw blade.
• If there is no attic or if the roof is inaccessible, use a stud sensor to locate a joist from the bathroom. Cut the opening from below. Use the fan enclosure as a template.
• Locate where you want to place the fan. We recommend placing it over a toilet -- do not mount it above a tub or shower. Mark the location by inserting a 16d nail into the drywall at each corner so the nails will protrude into the attic.
• From the attic, locate the nails and mark the location of the fan with a pencil.
• Cut out the drywall or plaster with a drywall saw or reciprocating saw. Start your cut by drilling a hole in the drywall large enough to accept the saw blade.
• If there is no attic or if the roof is inaccessible, use a stud sensor to locate a joist from the bathroom. Cut the opening from below. Use the fan enclosure as a template.
2
ATTACH FAN AND BLOCK OFF INSULATION
• Attach the fan enclosure to the joist with screws.
• Cut or push back the insulation, leaving a 6-inch gap between the unit and insulation.
• Cut pieces of a 2 x 4 to fit between the joists, blocking off the fan from the insulation, and attach lumber with screws.
• Cut or push back the insulation, leaving a 6-inch gap between the unit and insulation.
• Cut pieces of a 2 x 4 to fit between the joists, blocking off the fan from the insulation, and attach lumber with screws.
3
CUT HOLE IN THE ROOF
Note: If you are installing a side vent, you can skip to Step 6.
• Trace a circle on the underside of the roof just large enough for the roof vent and tailpipe.
• Drill a hole large enough for the saw blade, then cut out the circle with a reciprocating saw, saber saw or keyhole saw.
• Trace a circle on the underside of the roof just large enough for the roof vent and tailpipe.
• Drill a hole large enough for the saw blade, then cut out the circle with a reciprocating saw, saber saw or keyhole saw.
4
CUT AWAY SHINGLES
Remove the shingles from around the cutoff without damaging the underlying roof paper.
5
INSTALL THE ROOF VENT
• Install the roof vent by sliding the top flange under the shingles above it and resting the bottom flange on the shingles below.
• Apply roofing cement on the underside of the flanges to seal.
• Secure the vent flanges with roofing nails before installing the shingles.
• Install the shingles on the sides of the roof vent and apply roofing cement to seal the joint with the shingles. Start at the bottom and work your way up to the top of the vent.
• Slip the last shingle under the existing singles above the vent.
• Apply roofing cement on the underside of the flanges to seal.
• Secure the vent flanges with roofing nails before installing the shingles.
• Install the shingles on the sides of the roof vent and apply roofing cement to seal the joint with the shingles. Start at the bottom and work your way up to the top of the vent.
• Slip the last shingle under the existing singles above the vent.
6
CONNECT THE DUCTWORK
• Slide clamps over the flexible duct at both the roof cap and the fan, then slip the clamps over the tailpieces of the roof vent and fan and tighten the clamps.
• Wrap the joints with duct tape.
• Wrap the joints with duct tape.
7
WIRE THE FAN
• Run cable to the fan and to the switch if no wiring is present. If you are installing a fan with a light, you’ll need to run three-wire cable from the switch to the fan.
• Connect wiring according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Plug the fan motor into the built-in receptacle.
• Connect wiring according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Plug the fan motor into the built-in receptacle.
8
WIRE THE SWITCH
• For a fan and light switch with existing wiring, splice the white wires and connect the grounds securely with wire connectors.
• Connect power to both switches through two pigtails spliced to the feed wire.
• Connect the red wire to one switch terminal and the black wire to the other terminal.
• Connect power to both switches through two pigtails spliced to the feed wire.
• Connect the red wire to one switch terminal and the black wire to the other terminal.
