DEFECT: Bathroom Fan Vents Into Attic
A fairly common defect we find when doing Home Inspections in Phoenix are bathroom vent fans that exhaust into the attic. The purpose of these fans is to remove humidity from the interior of the home and exhaust it outdoors. Venting it into the attic may seem like an easy fix but this can cause allot of problems over the long term.
Exhaust vent into attic
Over time the constant barrage of moist air in the attic can cause mold and rot of the structure. You might think the small amount of humidity will just dissipate and not cause any problems but you have to think about the long term. When this humidity enters the attic it condenses because of the temperature change from inside the home to the outside. This condensation which forms on the surface of the structure, insulation and drywall is what causes all the damage.
The repair is usually fairly simple. The flexible vent pipe needs to be extended either through the roof using a proper roof vent or through the exterior wall, also using a proper exterior vent. Since this requires either cutting through the roof or through a finished exterior wall, you might want to have a licensed contractor do this for you.
This information was provided courtesy of Southwest Premier Home Inspection, LLC. Reproduction in any form is not permitted without consent. Copyright 2008-2010 Southwest Premier Home Inspection, LLC.
Southwest Premier Home Inspection is the Phoenix Arizona Home Inspection leader. To find out more visit our Phoenix Home Inspection website www.swpHomeInspect.com
