Guest Bath Remodel

Installing a new vent fan This bath vent fan only recirculated air and didn't exhaust to the outside

Installing a new vent fan Removing the old fan was a pain. I'm prying the nails that are holding the fan to a joist

Cutting the nails and being careful not to wreck the drywall. The fan was installed when the house was built before the ceiling was hung

Installing a new vent fan Cutting the nails and being careful not to wreck the drywall. The fan was installed when the house was built before the ceiling was hung

Installing a new vent fan I Unscrewed the cover and removed the power wires Power feed. I'm going to vent the air into the garage the same way you would when you vent to a soffit. The run is a nice straight 50"

Power feed. I'm going to vent the air into the garage the same way you would when you vent to a soffit. The run is a nice straight 50"

Installing a new vent fan Power feed. I'm going to vent the air into the garage the same way you would when you vent to a soffit. The run is a nice straight 50"

I carefully measured the location of the joist space where the fan is located. I drilled a 1/2" hole in the ceiling of the garage and fed a fish line through to the hole in the bathroom to make sure I was in the right spot before I cut a larger hole

Installing a new vent fan I carefully measured the location of the joist space where the fan is located. I drilled a 1/2" hole in the ceiling of the garage and fed a fish line through to the hole in the bathroom to make sure I was in the right spot before I cut a larger hole

Installing a new vent fan I traced the circle around the duct and cut a 4" hole in the ceiling

Installing a new vent fan I use a rasp to shape and enlarge the hole

Installing a new vent fan I inserted the duct to make sure it fits

Installing a new vent fan This is the new fan

I have to enlarge the hole in the bathroom ceiling. I mark it off and score it with a knife. I use a compass saw to cut the drywall

Installing a new vent fan I have to enlarge the hole in the bathroom ceiling. I mark it off and score it with a knife. I use a compass saw to cut the drywall

I cut a 2x4 'nailer' that will go between the 2 joists so I have something to attach the fan to. I predrilled the holes for the screws too make them easier to drive up in the joist space. I like using glue to ensure stability

Installing a new vent fan I cut a 2x4 'nailer' that will go between the 2 joists so I have something to attach the fan to. I predrilled the holes for the screws too make them easier to drive up in the joist space. I like using glue to ensure stability

Installing a new vent fan Fastning the nailer to the joists with cabinet screws

Installing a new vent fan All ready for the fan install

Installing a new vent fan Attaching the black end fitting for the fan to the flex duct with some self tapping sheet metal screws

I measured the distance between the bath fan and the exhaust opening in the garage so I could stretch the flex duct out the correct length and pre bend my 90 at the end

Installing a new vent fan I measured the distance between the bath fan and the exhaust opening in the garage so I could stretch the flex duct out the correct length and pre bend my 90 at the end

Installing a new vent fan Feed the duct up into the joist space and guide it all the way in so it's near the hole in the garage

Installing a new vent fan Reach into the hole and pull the duct down through

Installing a new vent fan This is what the duct looks like in the joist space. The end is in the garage so it's insulated

I'm pushing insulation down to the end with a yard stick to keep any potential cold air from getting in the house. The insulation also supports and keeps the duct from vibrating

Installing a new vent fan I'm pushing insulation down to the end with a yard stick to keep any potential cold air from getting in the house. The insulation also supports and keeps the duct from vibrating

I was holding the fan up to the hole and discovered that the electrical whip isn't long enough to reach the far corner where the electrical connection is. It's against code to splice a wire unless it's in an accessible box and pulling a new longer piece of romex would be a major pain.

Installing a new vent fan I was holding the fan up to the hole and discovered that the electrical whip isn't long enough to reach the far corner where the electrical connection is. It's against code to splice a wire unless it's in an accessible box and pulling a new longer piece of romex would be a major pain.

The fans electrical connection is nothing more than a pigtail attached to a 2 prong receptacle which acts as a disconnect

Installing a new vent fan The fans electrical connection is nothing more than a pigtail attached to a 2 prong receptacle which acts as a disconnect

I removed the receptacle and moved it into the opening with the fan motor where it will easily reach the corner close to the electrical supply

Installing a new vent fan I removed the receptacle and moved it into the opening with the fan motor where it will easily reach the corner close to the electrical supply I drilled a new hole for the romex clamp fitting

Installing a new vent fan I drilled a new hole for the romex clamp fitting

Installing a new vent fan The romex clamp fitting

Installing a new vent fan You tighten electrical fittings by tapping them around their circumference with a hammer and screwdriver

Installing a new vent fan I removed the mounting ears because they kept the fan from pushing up into the existing ceiling opening.

Installing a new vent fan Carefully pull the duct out and snap the fan duct connector to the fan

Installing a new vent fan Push the fan up into place and feed the romex into the connector

Installing a new vent fan Secure the fan by running screws through holes in the fan into the joist and the nailer

Installing a new vent fan Tighten the romex connector

I ran the ground from the romex around a screw in the fan housing. I used a plastic strap to secure the bundle of wires to the side of the housing. I stuffed some insulation up around the fan to prevent noise and drafts

Installing a new vent fan I ran the ground from the romex around a screw in the fan housing. I used a plastic strap to secure the bundle of wires to the side of the housing. I stuffed some insulation up around the fan to prevent noise and drafts