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Inspecting HVAC Systems Topics include heating, venting, and air conditioning inspections.

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  #1  
Old 2/1/06, 3:12 PM
bemelander bemelander is offline
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Question Bathroon vent

This is a question I have on my house. The bathrooms vent to the attic. Bad.
I'm going to fix this.
Should I put a vent in the roof, siding or the soffit. Does it matter.
Should I use flex pipe, rigid or is PVC OK.
Should it be insulated to prevent condensation or freezing.
Should I put the vent pipe on top or under the insulation.

Thanks

Bill



Bill Emelander
Professional Edge Home Inspection
Grand Rapids and all of West Michigan
NACHI #03111914
www.proedgehi.com
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  #2  
Old 2/1/06, 3:19 PM
Jae Williams Jae Williams is offline
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Default Re: Bathroon vent

I suggest...

Roof
Rigid
Not necessarily
If it is horizontal before going through the roof, above the insulation.

But then, what do I know?

I asked my son-in-law, the roofing guy.

But then, what does he know?



"not just an inspection, but an education"

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Democracy is two wolves and a lamb.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb. B. Franklin
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  #3  
Old 2/1/06, 3:52 PM
dsmith1 dsmith1 is offline
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Default Re: Bathroon vent

This is for cold climates
The duct should vent out a gable end or the roof. Should not be in the soffit as the hot humid air may enter the roof space back up through the soffit.
Rigid ducting to reduce friction and not too long for the same reason.
Duct should be sloped to the exterior so if there is any condensation it will run out of the house and not back down the fan.
Insulate the duct to the exterior so that the hot humid air will hopefully not condense in the duct untill it exhausts to the exterior
Use a good quality exterior vent hood so hopefully it will not freeze shut in the winter.

David
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  #4  
Old 2/1/06, 3:55 PM
Michael W. Gault's Avatar
Michael W. Gault Michael W. Gault is offline
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Default Re: Bathroon vent

Quote:
Originally Posted by bemelander
This is a question I have on my house. The bathrooms vent to the attic. Bad.
I'm going to fix this.
Should I put a vent in the roof, siding or the soffit. Does it matter.
Should I use flex pipe, rigid or is PVC OK.
Should it be insulated to prevent condensation or freezing.
Should I put the vent pipe on top or under the insulation.

Thanks

Bill
Soffit, no need to add another hole in the roof
Flex is okay for bathroom exhaust venting (and cheaper)
No,
on top...

my $3.95 worth, for Sunny Climes like Mine!



- Mike

Michael W. Gault, SC RBI 1728
A to Z Home Inspections
Charleston, Dorchester & Berkeley Counties in S.C.
NACHI05040682
www.atozinspector.com

(843) 442-9755
Charleston Home Inspector
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  #5  
Old 2/1/06, 6:02 PM
Erby Crofutt's Avatar
Erby Crofutt Erby Crofutt is offline
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Default Re: Bathroon vent

I'd rather see David's way.

A brief study of thermal dynamics tells me the hot air exhaust into the soffit area will rise back into the attic.
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  #6  
Old 2/1/06, 6:42 PM
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tneumann tneumann is offline
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Default Re: Bathroon vent

Does it look like this? I just found this in mom in laws attic.....
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bathroon-vent-3573-queen-anne-way-025.jpg  
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  #7  
Old 2/1/06, 7:23 PM
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phinsperger phinsperger is offline
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Default Re: Bathroon vent

Quote:
Originally Posted by bemelander
Should I put a vent in the roof, siding or the soffit. Does it matter.
Roof or gable siding what ever is the shortest route.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bemelander
Should I use flex pipe, rigid or is PVC OK.
PVC ok, Rigid best but short flex lenght ok

Quote:
Originally Posted by bemelander
Should it be insulated to prevent condensation or freezing.
Michigan - Absolutly They sell flex pipe with insulation allready on it for this purpose

Quote:
Originally Posted by bemelander
Should I put the vent pipe on top or under the insulation
On top. At least some of it will have to be above the insulation anyways and you are going to use insulated pipe.
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  #8  
Old 2/2/06, 1:30 PM
James D Mosier James D Mosier is offline
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Default Re: Bathroon vent

FWIW.

After living in my new house for about two years I noticed that there didn't seem to be any exhaust fan venting.

Upon further investigation I found that was the case. Just a fan unit covered with blown in insulation, black insualation, not pink like the rest of the attic. The sheathing 2 ft above this area was also starting to turn black.

I bought a flexible vent duct and the roof termination for it. Since it was the dead of winter I just routed the flex tube from the fan towards the center of the attic (6ft below sheathing opposed to 2ft) and planned on fininshing it that summer.

Well, you know how plans come and go, that one went. It has been seven NE Ohio summers and winters with no additional mold growth. Maybe this summer I'll take care of it.
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  #9  
Old 2/3/06, 3:40 AM
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jkormos jkormos is offline
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Default Re: Bathroon vent

Bill you are in MI, condensation is an isue make sure you account for it.

Joe
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