I just discovered that our exhaust fan dumps directly into the attic. There's no duct out through the roof.

I know it SHOULD have a duct, but is it imperative? Am I destroying the attic?

There are two attic vents on either side of the attic which is where, I assume, the moisture is leaving.

There are only the two of us using this bathroom, usually one shower each per day.

What do you think?

I would invest in getting a vent to the outside. You don't need additional moisture build up in the attic. This will cause problems down the road.

Have the duct fitted, it is pretty inexpensive. The forced air heat run in my loft was all flex hose, rubbish for moving air. I have never done any house repairs before. However, fitting rigid duct is a doddle (easy) , buy the Home Depot "Home Improvement 123" manual , fit it yourself !

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Originally Posted by antipode12

I just discovered that our exhaust fan dumps directly into the attic. There's no duct out through the roof.

I know it SHOULD have a duct, but is it imperative? Am I destroying the attic?

There are two attic vents on either side of the attic which is where, I assume, the moisture is leaving.

There are only the two of us using this bathroom, usually one shower each per day.

What do you think?

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No,you could leave it as is.

I have been in the roofing business for over 20 years,the amount of moisture you are describing wouldn't amount too much in an attic space.

The vents described are gable vents,good while there is a cross wind but not much else,except to allow hot(rising) air to escape.

IF ANYTHING!! I would consider having a roof vent installed,directing the moisture up through the vent,and more along the entire house while the installers are there too.

The more ventilation,the longer the roofing will last(up to a point,naturally).

I have been in too many homes with little or no vents for the bathroom exhaust and they haven't had any substrate damage, they were up to 60 years old,needed a new roof, but no moisture damage from just a bathroom vent.

We had the same problem, my husband went up to the attic attached the flexible duct pipe and ran it under the insulation to the over hand on the house and out a vent on the underside of the overhang. We also for another bathroom found a ductless bathroom exhaust fan.

"Vent it": 2 votes

"Not Necessary": 1 vote

"Vent it to the soffitt": 1 vote

I guess my hesitation is cutting through the roof. It just seems to be begging for leakage. Other than the soffitt, is there any other alternative?

OK, I am not going to vote but just explain what happens when you"vent" to the soffit like one person did. The exhaust fan will dump warm, moist air right into a air intake area. The soffit vents air into the attic, not outside like some folks think. That moist air just stays in the attic. If the attic has good soffit intakes and good ridge vent or gable everything will vent to the outside with no damage.