How to install bath fan with light?
I currently have a fan and a light, separate seutches for both and now want to install my fan with light. Realize I will have to do some minor drywall repair once I remove the existing, but, probably too much. I thought I would ask to see if it was worth it to try myself? My husband wants to hire someone and I want to save money ;)
1 answer
-
This can be a challenging project to do. A pro will charge you somewhere around $250 plus parts and materials to install a basic fan system that has accessibility from above as in an attic. No access, it can run as high as $400 or more depending on things like where the vent pipe is going to terminate outside. If you have access above the area where the fixture is going its even easier. You simply cut out the opening for the new fan in the drywall. When doing this you need to cut one side right against the ceiling joist as this will assist you in holding the fan up once its installed as the side of the fan box is screwed to the joist. You need to lay this out first before you cut anything. The vent pipe must go to the outside of the house, Installing the fan box housing backwards will make it difficult to run the flex pipe to the outside vent hood. So look carefully on what side you will be fastening the box on and that will dictate which direction the outlet will face. You will need to power this fixture. If your looking at removal of an existing ceiling light and replacing with the new fan/light combo, you need to fasten the fixture in a manner that the wire will be long enough to make it into the box mounted in the fan. You cannot by code splice a wire that does not have access and hide it in a wall to make it longer. However if your mounting from above as in an attic, you can use a splice box and make the wire as long as you wish to place the fan/light where you choose. If your mounting in a new location where there is no electrical located, your hardest part is to run a new wire from the wall to a power source and to the fan. This can be difficult if you have not had experience running wires in old walls. Even for experts sometimes this can be quite challenging. Before you mount the fan box in you will need to wire it into the fan box and run the flex pipe from the outside wall into the ceiling and connect it to the fan box. Its difficult at best doing this from the attic side, and nearly impossible to do it in a finished ceiling with no access above. Be sure that if the vent pipe is being run in a cold attic or one that can become cool, the pipe needs to be insulated to prevent condensation from forming in the pipe which can lead to odors and damage to the fan itself.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Nov 03, 2014
Sign Up to Answer
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
