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Bathroom exhaust fans

By
Home Inspector with Pillar To Post Home Inspection

One of the most common issues I find during home inspections are bathroom exhaust fans that vent into the attic. Bathroom exhaust fans should vent to the outside through an approved vent either through the roof or the side of the home. You are taking all the moisture out of the bathrooms and venting it into the attic which can cause mold and damage the sheathing resulting in thousands of dollars in repairs and even worst causing health issues to anyone who has reactions to mold. If your one of those people who installed a bathroom exhaust fan and vented it into the attic it would be a good idea to go in the attic and see what is happening and correct the situation.

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Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

John, For years the builders in our area did this so it gets called all the time.  Typically I have found the seller is not willing to fix it as that was the way the house was built. 

Oct 19, 2010 04:29 PM
Drick Ward Property Management / Broker Assoc
NEPTUNE REALTY - Virginia Beach, VA
"RealtorDrick" - Experienced Representation

I have also heard that it's a situation that can create some bad problems.  Fortunately, I've rarely come across it in home inspections in my area.

Oct 19, 2010 04:32 PM
Nina Rogoff
Boston, MA
Wix Websites for Real Estate Agents

I cannot believe how many homes have their fans vented into the attic and quite a bit of mold and damage as a result. Yuck! How could anyone not realize that venting moist air into your attic would not cause a problem. Why didn't they just continue out through the roof or wall!

Oct 19, 2010 04:38 PM
Franklin & Brentwood, TN Homes Mike Nastri
Keller Williams Realty - Franklin, TN
It matters to us as much as it matters to you.

I had a good friend that discovered his exhaust went into the attic and this was compounded by the fact that the roofers never cut an opening for the ridge vent in the rolled roofing paper under the shingles.  So to compound that moisture was venting directly into the attic there was no escape for it to vent out.  His new house had rotted warped roof boards in less than 5 years.  

I have found that it is not so uncommon for the ridge vents not to be properly cut.  I always ask for that to be checked.

Oct 19, 2010 04:40 PM
Victor Zuniga
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California Properties - San Diego, CA

Great piece of advice. It never occurred to me to check up there. I have a condominium and it has an exhaust fan but it vents to the outside. I think?

Oct 19, 2010 04:47 PM
Randy Ostrander
Lake and Lodge Realty LLC - Big Rapids, MI
Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West Central MI

What was once common practice is now to blame for all sorts of mold issues. The unseen is exactly why a home inspection should be a must for any home buyer.

Oct 19, 2010 04:49 PM
Brian Doubleday
Brian Doubleday - IML RealEstate - Orange County, CA Broker - Ladera Ranch, CA
Ladera Ranch, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo

Thanks for the information, very few people realize where their exhaust fans vent to, amazing how much damage they can do 

Oct 19, 2010 04:49 PM
Steve, Joel & Steve A. Chain
Chain Real Estate Investments & Mortgage, Steve & Joel Chain - Cottonwood, CA

John,

This is even more important in your part of the country, with higher humidity issues.  Next year we are required to have bath fans that draw outside air in while they exhaust the humid air out. 

Steve

Oct 19, 2010 04:57 PM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

John Rocco

I can tell you first hand about bathroom fans. I neglected mine for a long time. Yep, cost me a bundle

Feb 11, 2015 08:14 AM