Inline Bathroom Fan Project

[Red Squirrel]

Started on the installation of an inline bathroom fan, first time I do a project to this extent. I could have just changed the fan itself and kept the housing, but I don't like how most bathroom fans are quiet for about the first month and get very noisy, and eventually die. That, and the location of the vent was on top of my other roof causing ice buildup in winter.

Due to mobility/space constraints in the attic, I was unable to vent in the other soffit and through the roof would cause condensation to build up inside the pipe even if it's well insulated. (hot moist air meeting cold air inside the pipe).

So ended up venting in the basement.

Not quite done yet, still need to rent a 4" hole saw to do the hole in my basement wall, and run the pipe, and there's also some drywall patching to do, and also a leak in the attic where some attic air gets sucked in, which in result lowers the performance of the vent in the washroom.

I ran a test by making the shower go at a temp I normally take mine at, and closed the door. No fog on the mirror with the fan on (a lot when it was off). I raised the water temp even more, and it started to fog up a bit, but when I stopped it, the fog was going away pretty fast. That's with the door closed, with my old fan I used to take my shower with the door open as it could not keep up anymore and the mirror still fogged up.

I love how quiet this is now, all I hear is the sound of air flowing through. It currently vents right in the basement, until I can run the rest of the duct. I like the idea of the fan being in the basement though, as it enables me to be able to service/maintain it if needed, without going in that attic.

Anyway, here are some pics so far: (easier to just link to the gallery, will add more once I'm done)

http://gal.redsquirrel.me/?level=album&id=31

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:5252, old post ID:39614

[Red Squirrel]

Added a few more pics:

http://gal.redsquirrel.me/?level=picture&id=1015

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:5252, old post ID:39616

[Triple6_wild]

Not bad. House looks like it's in excellent shape to

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:5252, old post ID:39617

[Red Squirrel]

Did that hole in the foundation. Bigger job then I figured, but it's done, sorta. Still need to fill in and patch up. The vent is just "there" right now, can easily be pulled out and bugs can probably get in around. Used duct tape for now to keep it sealed. Hopefully it does not rain tomorrow, need to patch this asap or it could compromise the whole basement. Never know with the weather here...






Managed to align the vent with the other one, somewhat, that's what I aimed for, but I still say it was a fluke it actually worked out. LOL

to make the hole I used a 1/2 hammer drill with carbide tip masonry bit, and a 4lb hammer and chisel. I had a little too much fun with the hammer and chisel and the indoor side took a toll. At least it's the top most block, not much weight on that.

And I need to remember to take a pic with just the hole, and photoshop in the Kool Aid guy.

From here the rest of the work is trivial. do the paint touchups in the bathroom, and run the metal pipe to the vent.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:5252, old post ID:39619

[Triple6_wild]

Now that would bother me lol

Cutting through the brick. A mistake there could be nasty to fix

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:5252, old post ID:39625

[Red Squirrel]

Yeah half way through I was thinking "OMG what did I get myself into?". Next time I will probably hire it out, just because a pro can probably do it in like 15 minutes with the right tool. I got lucky there was no rebar in there, too.

I fixed it up with hydraulic cement today. Tomorrow I will remove the duct tape and cardboard I used to shield the brick so I don't make a mess, then give it a water test to ensure I don't get a leak. I might add some caulk around the vent collar for good measure, too.

This project is almost done. Was longer then I figured, but there was lot of stuff I did for my first time, now that I think about it.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:5252, old post ID:39628

[rovingcowboy]

this is good now. i was wondering how code enforcement
would deal with you if you just left it in the basement.
as the vent needs to be going out side to prevent moisture
from rotting the timbers of the house.
or causing mold on the drywall.

looks like you could have used a 8 pound sledge and hit the
brick once to crack it and then dig out the rubble. (not barny)

this guy could have been there a long time .

you should take a bag of cement used for patios or curbs. its fine
and hard almost just cement powder but has a little sand in it.

then take that and fill that block back up it will be more then enough
to make that strong again.

also you should take silicon sealant to the back of that vent hood
and clue it to the brick just the top and halfway down the sides
to keep the water from getting in to any of the area of the hole
that will not get sealed or refilled by cement.

which there is always a little area you can't get too its a must in this
type of work, the natural law of murphey what can go wrong will go
wrong.



Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:5252, old post ID:39634

[Red Squirrel]

This is finally complete, other then having to paint the part I patched in the washroom, but the fan itself is 100% fully functional, and now venting outside through a dryer vent.

Today I completed the rest of the duct run. Was my first time working with ducting pipe, was fairly easy, but I did not have to crimp anything, either. I don't have a crimper tool so I was planning to use the vice clamp in the garage with a nail, would have been a long process.





Actually just realized those pics were taken before I tapped all the seams.

Now that the run is complete, the fan is even MORE quiet. With the dehumidifier on I can't even hear it.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:5252, old post ID:39638