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View Full Version : Running the Bathroom Fan Vent pipe


Firehawk734
May 15, 2010, 05:48 AM
I will be putting a bathroom in the basement of my ranch home. Thinking ahead, I know I will need a bathroom vent, especially since I will have a tub/shower in there.

1. Where in the bathroom would be the best location for the fan?
2. It will be interesting trying to run the venting for the fan. Because it's in the basement, Joists are in the way. What's the best way to run a vent for the fan in a basement? If I have to make 3" holes through joists to run the vent perpendicular to the joists, is that safe? I can take photos if necessary to get more help.
3. Is there a max length to run a fan vent line? I have really 2 foreseeable options here. Number 1 is to try to tie it into where the vent for the dryer goes out the block window in my basement with some kind of Y connection that doesn't allow air to flow back into either branch (there must be something like this, with flaps I'd imagine, that keeps everything going one way and keeps the opposite branch closed while the other is being used, let me know if this is a wet dream haha), Number 2: Run the line over to near an exterior wall and up that wall beyond the first floor, into the attic, and put a cap in the roof. There is a number 3, but not sure this is OK. I have an attached 2 car garage, I could go up to the attic and cap it off the attic into the garage...

Milo Dolezal
May 15, 2010, 08:35 AM
1. Some Panasonic and NuTone bathroom fans are designed to be installed directly in / above shower stall. Also, you can place on the ceiling in the bathroom in general area. Since the fan is there to exhaust steam generated by hot water you should put it close to the shower.

2. If you have 2"x 10" joists than you could drill 3" holes. Otherwise, build small soffit, or run it up to the floor above and see if you can route it to the exterior from there.

3. You cannot tie 2 fans together. If you do, air will blow backwards into the other fan. Each fan has to have its own dedicated discharge vent.

4. Here you nailed it: run new vent to the attic and terminate it above the roof. No need to worry about length of vent in residential applications.

Good luck... Let us know how you did... Milo