When you install a new vent in a bathroom, it’s a hefty task, but it can be done by homeowners with experience in siding, roofing, and electrical work. Below, we show you how to safely get the job done. If you can, run the duct straight out through a wall. Or go up into the attic, over, and out through the soffit. If there’s no room above, the best solution may be a special vent fan that you can mount on the wall. Editor’s tip: To vent the fan out the roof, cut the hole from inside or drill a locator hole and cut the hole on the roof. Attach a short tailpiece onto the roof jack and install it. From inside, run flexible ducting from the fan to the jack, clamp each end, and cover the joints with duct tape. To prevent condensation from dripping near the fan or on the ceiling below, wrap the entire duct with pipe insulation. To install a roof jack, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent leaks. First, cut through the roof, then cut back shingles. Next, install the jack and cover its top half with shingles. Cover all nails with roofing cement. Editor’s tip: The more functions a switch controls, the more complicated the wiring. For instance, to wire a fan/light/night-light with separate controls for each, run two cables—one two-wire and one three-wire—from the switch to the fan. However, leaving the fan heater on wastes energy and creates a hazardous situation. To avoid this, install a timer switch and a two-function switch for the fan and light. To do so, install a double-gang box.
