Replace bath exhaust fan?

[Bumblerazz]

I want to replace my bathroom exhaust unit. Anyone have any tips to make the job easier?

I also want to put in a unit that is bigger than the current one, but I really don't want to crawl around in the attic, it has very little head clearance (shallow sloped roof). With no floor and the joists that are covered in insulation, it makes it very easy to misstep and end up back inside!

So bottom line, is it realistic to try and change the unit from inside? Or should I just suck it up and get itchy?

Jon.

[Mr T]

Most units will sit between 2 joists/rafters and will usually screw to them. If it's narrower there are 2 brackets that span the cavity that it attaches to. If you are lucky your old and new unit may be attached from below, however getting the exhaust duct properly attached from below will be diffucult. You also cant redistibute your insulation from below. Basic /rough wiring should be done from above. You gotta go up there.

Take some plywood or 2x stock up with you to create a area to sit on. You can use rubber bands around your ankles to keep insulation and critters out of your pants legs. Which should cut down on the itching, and maybe save you from violating some of those anchient local laws :tee: Wear a long sleeve shirt (I use a old jacket since i dont go into attics in the summer anyways) A dust mask (rated for insulation), and full eye protection also is recomended.

Redistribute / fluff any disturbed insulation. Read the manufacturer instructions incase there are special requirements for clearance. Make sure your ducting is secure and it's a straight path. If its flexible duct you dotn want sags in it where moisture can collect. Check for signs of water/moisture damage in the area while up there.

[Bumblerazz]

Sigh... You're right. I forgot about how the unit is attached to the joist/rafter.

I believe that the last time I was up there I saw that it had been screwed down in the external slots. Of course that means that it's not accessible from below. I don't feel like trying to rip/pry those screws loose as I invariably tend to do more damage than fix!!

Ah well, one can only wish. Thanks for the input.

Jon.

[househelper]

I want to replace my bathroom exhaust unit. Anyone have any tips to make the job easier?

I also want to put in a unit that is bigger than the current one, but I really don't want to crawl around in the attic, it has very little head clearance (shallow sloped roof). With no floor and the joists that are covered in insulation, it makes it very easy to misstep and end up back inside!

So bottom line, is it realistic to try and change the unit from inside? Or should I just suck it up and get itchy?

Jon.

What would be easier? Getting itchy or patching the ceiling? A replacement can be done from below, but plan on having to patch the ceiling when you are done. Cut away enough ceiling to allow for removal of the old vent and installation of the new. Expect a lot of crap to fall in your face when you do this. Place a piece or two of batt insulation over the vent housing before you patch.

[Bumblerazz]

Interesting comparison. I think I will procrastinate, I mean think on it a little longer. :hmmmm2:

[Bismarck Jack]

Just go for it! Go up there and Git-ur-done!

What critters are in the insulation??? Ugg:heeeelllllooooo:

Is it that bad for you to crawl up there without a plate of armor on? I pulled my shirt collar up over my mouth and nose when i moved the old insulation around until the dust settled and then got to work. sure i coughed a bit, but is it that bad?

the visual of critters crawling up my pant legs is the worst!:eek2:

[Bumblerazz]

Fortunately I don't have critters in this roof (the cottage on the other hand...). I agree that it seems like a minor thing to cough a bit. But I got a bit of a wake up call a couple of years ago.

I had redone the ceiling in the basement which meant removing old fiber tiles and a fair amount of dust. Again, big deal, right? Well a month later at work I had my annual physical (our employer pays for yearly physicals due to the work environment) and I had lost around 10% of my lung capacity!! You might think it was from work, but my particular job is working in a fairly tame and controlled part of the building, so not likely. I've pretty much regained that capacity back, but it did get me to buy a quality fitted breathing mask.

Long story short, I get a little perturbed when I have to climb into a dusty confined space.

[Bismarck Jack]

wow. i guess we tend to forego intelligence for toughness. I am almost done up there too, so maybe i will at least use a dust mask the next couple of times. and buy an expensive one when i reinsulate the whole thing.

thanks for the tips.

[Bumblerazz]

Well, I finally got to it and to quote B-Jack "got-r-dun!!".

A lot of worry for nothing. Easy as pie. I did it all from the bathroom.

I removed the grill, removed the fan motor et al. and undid the retaining screws. The unit didn't come down right away, so I slid a knife along the edge (the breaker flipped long before I started the job) to cut it away from the spray foam I had left the last time I was up in the attic to change the flex tubing/vent, and found the exterior mounting screws. A small pry bar popped the heads and down came the unit.

I obviously had made a mistake in measuring as the new unit, despite having a much greater cfm, fit into the same hole (lucky me!!).

I resealed with non-expanding spray foam. The clean up was easy as there was very little damage or insulation that fell in. I was very happy with that.

Of course there was some moisture, more than I had anticipated, was present, my wife having showered shortly before I started the project. I will have to monitor this to make sure it doesn't leak, especially onto the sheetrock or insulation.

Total time for project was 3 hours, 30mins prep (tools, finding flashlights my kids had played with, etc...) and 1hr clean-up (I washed the tub, walls etc. to keep the wife happy). May seem long for those pros out there, but I was expecting an all day trial which included spackling and sanding and... Over all, a very easy project.

See attached pics.
Jon.

[Bismarck Jack]

Great job! Thanks for the quote ref.

good to see you Got-r-Done without climbing up to the critter filled itch fest.

Thanks for the pics. they may help others who visit.