Bathroom exhaust fan

Vicki
by Vicki
I live in Alaska and when the temperature is below about 10 degrees the exhaust fan in an upstairs bathroom will drip water when I run it. It doesn't drip any other time. It vents to the roof. Any ideas why it would do that?
  4 answers
  • Tova Pearl Tova Pearl on Nov 27, 2016

    It might be a condensation issue? if the hot air from inside meets the cold of the roof, the water from the warmer air may be condensing onto the nearest cold surface (perhaps the inside of the vents). When you get enough condensation, it drips down.

  • William William on Nov 27, 2016

    I agree with Tova Pearl. I most definitely is condensation. Its possible the pipe from the exhaust fan to the roof is not insulated. The warm air from the bathroom goes through the pipe and cools off quickly and condenses. The condensation moisture drips back. Insulating the pipe might solve the problem.

  • Vicki Vicki on Nov 27, 2016

    Thanks for your input. I understand what you are saying. I'm sorry I neglected to say that for the first few years I lived here it didn't do that...it only started to do that recently. I live in n area that gets a lot of wind. Is it possible that the vent cover has come off or is not sealing properly? I don't have easy access to the roof to check it but will try if that is what needs to be done. Thanks.

    • William William on Nov 27, 2016

      That could be a possibility. Another thing to consider is that the wind could have jammed the vent door and it is not opening to vent the air out

  • Shawna Bailey Shawna Bailey on Dec 02, 2016

    It does sound like something may have happened to the insulation on the vent. Be safe when checking it!

    Let us know if that was the problem.