Bathroom Attic Fan vented to Attic. Damage?

PatrickGSR94 · 03-04-2011, 04:05 PM

I need to do this for both of my bathroom fans. Unfortunately it is VERY common around here for bathroom fans to vent into attic spaces, even on brand new construction. I really don't know how it passes inspection.

Ron6519 · 03-04-2011, 04:21 PM

If you use the insulated duct and keep the turns as sweeping turns with a large radius, you should be fine.
Ron

Malibujim · 03-05-2011, 01:03 AM

I just put a vent fan in our master bath a couple weeks ago and used the aluminim flex tubing. It's a lot better than that vinyl flex tubing made for dryers. Although flexible, it is fairly smooth walled inside, and more rigid than the vinyl ducting. Again, I went thru the attic wall to vent outside.

Ron6519 · 03-05-2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malibujim

I just put a vent fan in our master bath a couple weeks ago and used the aluminim flex tubing. It's a lot better than that vinyl flex tubing made for dryers. Although flexible, it is fairly smooth walled inside, and more rigid than the vinyl ducting. Again, I went thru the attic wall to vent outside.

"It's a lot better than that vinyl flex tubing made for dryers."
Vinyl flex tubing should never be used for dryers. It's flammable and it's against code.
Ron

pyper · 03-05-2011, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdm001

So I did some reading on roof vents, and it appears these are good for my roof to pull air without any electricity!

Too bad they don't really work.

I'd probably use that opening and put your duct through it, with an appropriate top.

If your attic needs ventilation, then put in something appropriate. Maybe a turtle shell style fan in place of the other one. Or a gable fan.

DrHicks · 03-05-2011, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdm001

Thanks to everyone who posted help, I need to call on you all again please!

So I went to fix this and I found that the bathroom fan vented into the attic like I had thought, but, when I got up there I was surprised.

It vents directly under one of those weird turbine vents on the roof (I included a pic of a new one for reference), literally three feet directly under it, but no duct hosing or anything.

1) What does that style roof vent do? I can see slight slivers of daylight in it, and there's no ductwork, just a big 8 inch circular hole with that turbine on top.

2) So how do I now vent the bathroom fan. It would look silly having a small vent six inches from the turbine vent.

I can probably make or find a way to shrink the 8 inch opening to go down to a three inch for the bath fan exhaust. Would closing that vent off to the rest of the attic (there's another "turbine vent on the other side of my small ranch house).. would it hurt airflow?

Please help with advice, and again thanks in advance!

Those turbin attic vents are made to spin when the wind blows. In theory they suck air up and through them when they're spinning. In reality, they just allow air to flow through them. Either way, they're alright.

Having your bathroom fan vented directly under this turbine vent is not exactly ideal, but it's not horrible either. Warm air rises, so the warm wet air will - for the most part - go right up and out of the turbin.

Ron6519 · 03-05-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrHicks

Those turbin attic vents are made to spin when the wind blows. In theory they suck air up and through them when they're spinning. In reality, they just allow air to flow through them. Either way, they're alright.

Having your bathroom fan vented directly under this turbine vent is not exactly ideal, but it's not horrible either. Warm air rises, so the warm wet air will - for the most part - go right up and out of the turbin.

I was under the impression that the turbine fans would spin as the hot air passed through it, creating it's own motion. The wind would help, but wasn't necessary.
Ron