Install A Soffit Vent Bath Fan

Bathrooms require vent fans to remove moisture from the room so it doesn't cause mold, mildew or rot the wood in the home. Fans are sometimes improperly vented into attics, but this leads to excess moisture in the attic and roof damage. They are also vented through roofs, but this leaves an exposed vent cover. Another option is to vent the bathroom fan through the soffit -- the underside of the roof eaves. With soffit vent installation, bathroom moisture is released outside through small perforations and the vent is unseen from the outside.

Instructions

1. Remove the knockout plug on the side of the fan housing with a screwdriver; the plug should pop off easily.

2. Slip a cable connector into the plug hole, hand-tighten the nut, and then finish tightening with slip-groove pliers.

3. Point the fan exhaust port in the direction of the soffit where the fan will exhaust.

4. Screw the fan housing to the ceiling joist, using the provided mounting holes in the fan housing.

5. Touch the two metal brackets of the fan housing to the ceiling joists and adjust the fan housing so it is level. Screw the metal brackets to the ceiling joists.

6. Pull 4-inch flex duct over the exhaust port and wrap it with foil duct tape to secure it to the exhaust port.

7. Extend the 4-inch flex duct from the exhaust port to the soffit area. Hang the duct with plastic duct hanger strap every 2 feet for support.

8. Connect the open end of the 4-inch flex duct to a 4-inch, metal 90-degree elbow and wrap the joint with foil duct tape. Place the elbow into the soffit with the open end pointing down so the exhaust flows down out of the soffit.

9. Push the electrical cable through the connector, and then tighten the cable connector screws, using a screwdriver if necessary. Follow the vent fan instructions for connecting the fan wiring to the electrical cable.

10. Plug the blower motor into the electrical receptacle of the fan housing. Put the blower motor into the fan housing and secure it with the hold-down screws already attached to the blower motor.

Tags: exhaust port, 4-inch flex, 4-inch flex duct, blower motor, flex duct