How to repair bathroom fan?
Summary
Repairing a bathroom fan can involve several approaches, from replacing the motor to addressing ventilation issues. What our forum users are saying is that sometimes cleaning and lubricating the fan can solve the problem, while other times, replacing the entire unit or upgrading to a better model is recommended. Addressing moisture and proper ventilation are also important aspects of bathroom fan maintenance. Here's what our forum users are saying about repairing bathroom fans:
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Motor and Component Replacement:
- One user cleaned their fan and ensured it moved freely, but suspected the motor had died and was considering replacing it. They inquired about purchasing a replacement motor from hardware stores. UMWolve, DIYChatroom
- Another user mentioned the possibility of replacing just the motor and blade, especially if a new fan offers better airflow and noise reduction. RickT, DIYChatroom
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Addressing Noise Issues:
- Some users have experienced noisy bathroom fans and considered lubricating or replacing the bearings. ChuckTin, DIYChatroom
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Upgrading the Fan:
- One user suggested that many bathroom fans are low-end units and might be worth replacing with an upgrade. Ron6519, DIYChatroom
- Another user was looking to replace a noisy fan with a Panasonic model or equivalent but needed a recommendation for a fan that could be installed from below without significant ceiling modifications. RalphPeters, DIYChatroom
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Addressing Ventilation and Moisture Issues:
- A user described a water leak around their bathroom fan due to condensation in the vent tubing. They asked about how to properly connect the vent hose and whether condensation was common in cold climates. kennykenny, DIYChatroom
- One user suggested that insulating the vent with flexible tube-shaped ducting is an effective option to prevent condensation. Termite, DIYChatroom
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Alternative Fan Setups:
- A user considered repurposing the existing fan housing and light as an intake for an attic-mounted fan, ducting it outside. mj12, DIYChatroom
- Another user supported the idea of using an attic-mounted fan, advising attention to the CFM rating and proper ductwork to prevent water collection and freezing. nap, DIYChatroom
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Fan Replacement Considerations:
- A user replaced their bath fans with Utilitech models, noting that the light and trim ring would cover any excess opening needed for the installation. ChuckTin, DIYChatroom
Post Mentions
- I have an exhaust fan that the motor has gone bad. What I was thinking instead of just replacing it was to use the housing and light as an intake for a attic mounted fan. Does anyone see a problem with doing this? http://www.fantech.net/HP190Radon4-wo-Bracket_enus-411297.aspx I would...
- I know. Replacing a bathroom fan shouldn't be a big deal, but I want to replace the one in our first-floor bathroom, which has the second floor, not the attic, above it. Removing the old fan seems to require cutting a larger than necessary opening around the fan, removing the old fan...
- I have a bathroom ceiling vent fan that has a water leak ring around it in the ceiling. I have traced it in the attic and narrowed down the problem and it is drips of water that are forming in the tubing that is being vented into the attic. These bits of water are dripping down the tube to the...
- Imagine a cold soda can on a warm humid day. Water condenses on the can. Your vent is the same thing...A warm humid air-filled tube in a cold attic. If it runs back toward the fan, it isn't uncommon for water to accumulate in or around the fan. The best solution is to avoid long vertical...
- The exhaust fan in my wife's bathroom went out and I have never attempted to fix one. I cleaned it real good and made sure the fan could move freely but I am guessing the motor died on me. Do I just need to take it down and take the motor off and replace it? Do hardware store, Lowe's, Home Depot...
- This pix is our bath fan(s), 2. Hall bath screaches. Master bath starts SLO, gets hot to speed and screaches. Obviously bearings are going. Has anybody tried relubing or replacing the bearing on these? This question is probably a non-starter but thought I'd put it out and maybe learn something...
- There should be a make and model # on the housing somewhere. I'd check to see if it was worth the money to replace a low end coffe grinder sounding fan. Most bath fans I've come across are low end units begging for an upgrade. Ron
- I, personally, like the idea. pay attention to the cfm rating of the fan. Too small is obviously not good but too much is uneeded and wasteful. The one you listed moves a lot more air than the typical bathroom fan although it is not so large it is going to such your children off the floor...
- I would like to replace my noisy bathroom fan with a panasonic or equivalent. It's a first floor bathroom and I don't have access from above and it looks like the panasonic needs two joists to mount the cross piece to. My current fan is mounted to one joist so its just supported on one side...
- Got 2 Utilitech bath fans. Looks like the light and trim ring will cover any excess opening since I'm going from round to square (needs 9x9). These are model 7105-05 with LED light strips 2.0 Sone 100 CFM
Related Threads
- This pix is our bath fan(s), 2. Hall bath screaches. Master bath starts SLO, gets hot to speed and screaches. Obviously bearings are going. Has anybody tried relubing or replacing the bearing on these? This question is probably a non-starter but thought I'd put it out and maybe learn something...
- I know. Replacing a bathroom fan shouldn't be a big deal, but I want to replace the one in our first-floor bathroom, which has the second floor, not the attic, above it. Removing the old fan seems to require cutting a larger than necessary opening around the fan, removing the old fan...
- I would like to replace my noisy bathroom fan with a panasonic or equivalent. It's a first floor bathroom and I don't have access from above and it looks like the panasonic needs two joists to mount the cross piece to. My current fan is mounted to one joist so its just supported on one side...
- I have an exhaust fan that the motor has gone bad. What I was thinking instead of just replacing it was to use the housing and light as an intake for a attic mounted fan. Does anyone see a problem with doing this? http://www.fantech.net/HP190Radon4-wo-Bracket_enus-411297.aspx I would...
- I have a bathroom ceiling vent fan that has a water leak ring around it in the ceiling. I have traced it in the attic and narrowed down the problem and it is drips of water that are forming in the tubing that is being vented into the attic. These bits of water are dripping down the tube to the...
- The exhaust fan in my wife's bathroom went out and I have never attempted to fix one. I cleaned it real good and made sure the fan could move freely but I am guessing the motor died on me. Do I just need to take it down and take the motor off and replace it? Do hardware store, Lowe's, Home Depot...