bathroom venting alternatives

C. L. Vaia · 10-18-2011, 07:04 AM

We are remodeling bathrooms in our 1920 home and would like to add bathroom fans. Our problem is how/where to exhaust the wet air to the outside? The exterior walls of the house are 2 courses of brick, with an air space inbetween. Inside the walls are then covered with concrete, metal lath, then plaster (No studs). The roof of the home is slate (with copper vent stacks), and the bathroom in question is in an outside corner of the house, so placing a vent in that location is probably not possible.
Could the bathroom fans be ventilated through the plumbing stack for the water (NOT the sewer)? We are concerned about going through 8-9' of brick to install a wall fan. Any help or advice would be very much appreciated.

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**Billy Stephens** · 10-18-2011, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by C. L. Vaia

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Could the bathroom fans be ventilated through the plumbing stack for the water (NOT the sewer)?

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Nope.
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Try a Dehumidifier.
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**John Kogel** · 10-18-2011, 09:23 AM

It is best to put the fan on the ceiling, even if it is going to vent out thru the wall.
Go ahead with a hole in the wall. It shouldn't be that hard.
I saw a range hood last week that was vented down through the wall cavity and out below the floor level. It was all done in rigid metal pipe and worked OK.

**Steven Turetsky** · 10-18-2011, 02:57 PM

This is not a big deal. Rent (or tell your contractor to rent) a core drill (hand held). It will make a very nice hole(s) through the brick, lath, or whatever else is there.

After that, install your fan(s) properly. Vent them properly. You are going to have to live with them for a long time.

By the way, you are not only exhausting "wet," you are also exhausting bad oders.

cglochau · 10-18-2011, 04:04 PM

Why can't it be vented to the soffit?

**Jerry Peck** · 10-18-2011, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by cglochau

Why can't it be vented to the soffit?

Because that is still "in" the attic and is not allowed, nor is it good for the attic.

**Garry Sorrells** · 10-19-2011, 04:37 AM

C.L., Steve is right. Not a big deal to the right contractor. More than one way to make hole, just need to find the right contractor.

Through the wall is the best way.

C. L. Vaia · 10-19-2011, 10:52 AM

Thanks for the advice. Also, I noticed the advise from one person that using a ceiling unit is preferable, even if it goes out through the wall. Because of the location of the bathroom on the corner of the house, I would be concerned that the exterior vent would be Very close to the soffits and gutters, even if it could be done at all. However, at least with a wall unit, we can site it on the wall, but at or near ceiling height. Thanks again. old houses are great!

**Vern Heiler** · 10-19-2011, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Because that is still "in" the attic and is not allowed, nor is it good for the attic.

Jerry, do you think he might have meant "through" the soffit? It is a common practice here.

**Jerry Peck** · 10-19-2011, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by cglochau

Why can't it be vented to the soffit?

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Because that is still "in" the attic and is not allowed, nor is it good for the attic.

Originally Posted by Vern Heiler

Jerry, do you think he might have meant "through" the soffit? It is a common practice here.

Vern,

That is why I was clarifying what was said: "to" indicates he is going to discharge "to" the soffit, so I changed the word to "in" for clarification.

The typical practice I see when the soffit is involved in venting is "in" the soffit, very rarely ... extremely rarely ... "through" the soffit.

One little word, two letters, can make all the difference between being acceptable and not acceptable.