Aging bathroom ventilation is practically a feature in many Redmond homes, and they could break quite often. This is no surprise, as nearly half of the city’s houses were built in the ‘90s. Now, broken vents are no mere inconvenience; your bathroom has lost its ability to vent moisture, which could lead to long-term structural damage.
That said, when it comes to bathroom ventilation repair Redmond homeowners should not just sit back idly. Let’s take a look at why this is such an urgent matter, and what your next steps should be..
What Happens If a Bathroom Is Not Vented Properly?
Bathroom ventilation blows air out and keeps the room dry when not in use. If the ventilation fails, the moist air—a norm in Redmond’s Pacific Northwestern climate—stagnates in your bathroom, condenses in damp, cool areas, and promotes mold growth.
Mold can grow below the surfaces of your bathroom. This, in turn, causes moisture build-up within the walls and under the floor, eventually leading to water damage that could compromise the structure of your bathroom. This is not anyone’s ideal scenario, so it’s best to get broken vents fixed as soon as possible.
Two-step Guide to Bathroom Ventilation Repair
One thing about bathroom ventilation repair Redmond residents should be aware of is that it’s actually a very straightforward affair. To reasonably oversimplify, it only takes two steps: troubleshooting and repair or replacement.
Step 1: Troubleshoot your ventilation.
Knowing why your bathroom ventilation no longer works is usually the most time-consuming step in this process. To make it easier for you, here’s a checklist that you should run through to troubleshoot your broken vent:
- Check the circuit breaker. See if the ventilation fan’s breaker tripped during the last operation. If that’s the case, there may have been a surge that caused the switch to turn off to protect the fan’s circuitry automatically. If the vent functions normally after you’ve turned the breaker on, you’re good to go.
- Observe the airflow. Take a piece of tissue paper—a bathroom mainstay—and hold it flush against the grille. If it’s sucked flat against the grille and stays there unsupported, your ventilation is working correctly. If the airflow is poor, the paper will flutter, fall slowly, or stick momentarily before falling off. This should, then, warrant further investigation.
- Clean the fan. Watch out for the dust bunnies! Dust and debris could have significantly weighed down your fan, preventing it from spinning properly. In this case, simple cleaning is in order.
- Inspect the external vent. If the fan is working properly but not venting your bathroom, the grille may be clogged with dust and debris; clearing it will do the trick. Alternatively, the damper is stuck in a closed position. If so, you may need to open it as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Listen to the motor. Turn the ventilation on and listen for a hum. If you don’t hear any low spinning noise, your fan’s motor is dead. If you can hear grinding or clicking, failing bearings are to blame. At this point, your next step would be to replace the fan.
Step 2: Repair or replace the fan.
If your bathroom ventilation failed due to damage to the fan, do not attempt to repair it yourself. The work involves electrical systems, so you will need to call a licensed electrician or bathroom remodel professional to address the issue. However, repairs take time, do not guarantee a long-term fix (especially with old ventilators), and cost a decent sum. It may be faster and easier for you to take the more expensive route of replacing your broken vent.
Fan replacement is almost always necessary for old bathroom ventilation. While it’s best to leave the work to a professional electrician, it’s much safer to DIY than to do the tedious work of repairing the fan. You only need to follow these steps:
- Turn off the power. This is the first step to dealing with everything connected to your electrical networks. Switch off your ventilation’s circuit breaker and then turn off its switch. You should be good to go, but if you want to be sure, use a multimeter to check for voltage at the fan. You will be looking at one of these two scenarios from this point:
- The voltage reads 0V. The power is out. You may safely proceed to the next step.
- The voltage reading is above zero. The fan still has power. Stop all work and double-check if you’ve switched off the correct breaker. If you did and you’re still getting readings, call a licensed electrician.
- Remove the old fan. Take out the old fan according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Generally, it would involve removing the grille, removing the motor-blower assembly, and disconnecting the wiring and ductwork, in this specific order.
- Remove the old housing. This step can be tricky, as the fan’s box is usually fastened to the ceiling joists before the drywall goes up. This is easier if you have attic access. Otherwise, you may need to use a drill or driver to back out the visible screws, then use a reciprocating saw to cut through the screws and nails carefully.
- Install the new fan. Installing a new fan is pretty much steps 2 and 3 done in reverse. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely to avoid mishaps.
- Restore the power. Turn on your ventilation’s breaker, then switch it on. If the fan does not switch on, turn off the power and review your assembly. Check for physical obstructions, improperly connected wires, and errors in your motor assembly. You may opt to apply the appropriate fixes and test the fan, or simply redo the installation.
- Test your ventilation. Listen to your fan. If there is excessive rattling or grinding, along with visually noticeable vibration, check the housing for improperly fastened joints and studs. If the fan is running properly, test the airflow using the same tissue paper method detailed earlier. If the airflow is weak, check for and remove any obstructions in the grille or external vent. It may also be caused by excessive resistance in the new ductwork system, which may require professional help to fix.
- Enjoy your well-ventilated bathroom. If the installation goes smoothly, sit back, relax, and let your bathroom ventilation do its job.
A Well-Ventilated Bathroom Is a Bathroom That Lasts
A properly working ventilation system is key to a long-lasting bathroom. It controls humidity, keeping the air fresh, preventing foggy mirrors, and protecting your bathroom from water damage and unwanted mold growth. Take good care of your bathroom vent, but if it fails with age, feel free to revisit this guide to give it the prompt and proper attention it deserves.
