Exhaust Vent and Fan

The sink, tub and especially the shower introduce a lot of moisture into the bathroom. Therefore, proper ventilation of the bathroom is essential to prevent mold, rot or other moisture-related problems. Exhaust fans and vents are installed to ventilate and remove moisture in all new bathrooms. The fan unit is usually ceiling-mounted and directs the air through a vent to the exterior of the house. Though now generaly required on new homes, older houses often make use of a window instead of exhaust fans to ventilate the bathroom.

A common problem with exhaust fans and vents is when the vent terminates someplace other than the exterior of the building. Improperly terminated exhaust vents typically terminate in the attic, which causes excessive moisture in the attic. This buildup of excessive moisture can lead to moisture-related problems such as wood rot in the structural components of the home.

Many exhaust fans do more than just vent. Additionally, exhaust fans integrate normal incandescent or neon lighting within the fan housing. Some even integrate infrared heat lamps to warm the bathroom.