Is it normal for insulation to be behind my bathroom exhaust fan vent?
Halcyon2020
| Posted in General Questions on
I recently removed my bathroom’s exhaust fan motor to clean the area behind it. When I took the old motor out, I noticed the flap that the air is supposed to exhaust through wasn’t opening all the way when I pushed it. I reached inside and I felt some of that pink insulation material. Is it normal for that to be directly behind the exhaust fan’s flap?
Anyway, I pushed the pink stuff out of the way so that the flap could open wider and more easily. But the next time I used the fan, there was a weird smell coming from the fan. What should I do? I don’t know much about these systems. Could someone please explain why there is now a smell?
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Search and download construction details
Replies
It sounds like your vent fan is exhausting directly into your attic, which explains the insulation in the damper. You should correct that and duct the vent to the outdoors.
The smell may be because some insulation got dislodged and jammed in the fan either slowing it down or stopping it completely. Either way the motor is probably running too hot, so you’ll want to fix that right away and do NOT use the fan until you do.
Bill
Thank you for responding. I'm not very handy, and I wouldn't be able to make it exhaust outdoors by myself. I live in a condominium, so the roof isn't so accessible.
I'll check the fan to see if it's jammed. If it's not, is it worth using using fan if it's exhausting into the attic? I always see fog on the mirror and condensation on all walls after I take a shower, so I'm not sure if the fan is doing anything. I have no window in the bathroom, but after I take a shower I leave the door open for awhile.
Halcyon,
This is an issue you should take to your condominium board. Typically owners are not responsible for the services and equipment outside the finished area of their units. The n0n-vented fan may well be doing damage to the structure of the building, and should be fixed.
Okay, thank you for the advice. But for now, is it better I use the exhaust fan, or is it better not to use it?