When it’s about setting up the ventilation of our bathrooms, we often prefer the sidewall or the roof. Well, it’s the most common choice everyone makes.
However, sometimes our house may require that we need to install the vents through the soffit. Yes, you don’t see this every day, but it is an excellent idea, to be honest.
If you are looking for ideas on how to vent a bathroom fan through soffit, you have come to the right place! Here we are about to discuss some expert’s opinion on this matter which will help you keep your bathroom well-ventilated.
So, without wasting much time, let’s take a look at all the tips and tricks!
What Is a Bathroom Fan Through Soffit Installation?
Before you go on with the installation, you need to have a better idea about the soffit. It is the underside section of a roof overhang. And installing the bathroom vent through a soffit seems like a great idea as it allows you to have easy access to the attic.
If you are looking for a DIY install, you will need to gather all the tips available, as this procedure is a little complicated. Therefore, to help with that, we are here with some instructions that will be useful in completing this task effortlessly!
How to Install a Bathroom Fan through Soffit – The Ultimate Guide
Now it is time to give you step-by-step instructions on how to vent a bathroom fan through the soffit. After reading this, you won’t have any confusion about the procedure.
So let’s get started!
Step One – Avoid Curves on the Hose
While mounting the soffit exhaust vent cover, you have to hold a straight line up from the exhaust fan of the restroom. It would be better if there are no turns and bends as these curves can interrupt airflow. And you don’t want that for sure!
Step Two – Get the Accurate Hose Size
You have to get the correct vent hose size to finish the installation successfully. You should always verify the size of the ducts used by your bathroom fans.
If you have a high-powered bathroom exhaust fan, it will use larger ducts such as 4-inch or 6-inch. However, older mechanisms still utilize much smaller 3-inch ducts.
Step Three – Create a Hole through the Soffit
While making the soffit hole, you need to make sure that it’s in the proper position. And the correct location is amid the roof beams, and you can mark this spot for cutting a perfect hole.
When you get a soffit vent cover, you will see a paper template included in the package. You can use this to draw the hole in the soffit accurately.
After marking the territory, you should get started with the cutting procedure. You can either use a jigsaw or tin snips, whichever you prefer.
When you are done with the cutting, you will need to situate the vent hose to that location in the attic.
Step Four – Attach the Hose
Now it’s time for you to attach the hose and the cover. You have to pull the hose about a foot through the hole you just cut. You need to get rid of any extra hosing that you might have to avoid bends.
After pulling, you need to connect the vent through the soffit cover. If you want, you can get a metal clamp to do that securely. Then using a flathead, fasten the rivet.
You can also use foil tape to cover the metal clamp. In this way, you can make sure that it won’t get loose or come off when you are done with the installation.
Final Step – Insert the Vent Cover
After securing the clap, you have to pop in the vent cover onto the soffit to complete the procedure. To do this, you have to use the screws that came in with the package.
You can install it with a cordless drill or manual screwdriver according to your preference. Moreover, you may need to drill pilot holes for the screws. So make sure that you are comfortable doing that.
The Benefits of Venting a Fan through the Soffit
If you choose to vent your bathroom through the soffit, it will offer you some additional benefits that you won’t get from the sidewall installation. Let’s take a look at the advantages you will get after following this procedure!
Maintain Roof Integrity
When you fit a vent using your soffit, you don’t have to create a hole in your roof. Especially when you have an old house, creating a hole may cause damage and leakage in other places if you try to cut a hole on the roof.
Even if your house is new, there are some risks that you should avoid. So going through the soffit sounds like a great idea if you want to maintain the top-notch condition of your roof.
Keep the Duct Length Short
You will need the shortest length of vent hose duct if you try to get it through the soffit. Moreover, there will be less venting which ensures better ventilation, and who doesn’t want that?
Preserve Temperature
The hose ducts will run warm air horizontally through the soffit. So when you turn off the fan, the humid air will stay suspended in the duct. In this way, the air can’t move or moves pretty slowly.
As there will be no fan to thrust the air out, it will create warm air. Then it will prevent any wind from flowing into the bathroom from outside.
Thanks to this warm air pocket, your bathroom will be well-heated in cold weather, which is a blessing, to be honest!
When Shouldn’t We Vent a Bathroom Fan through Soffit?
As every house is different, you need to make sure that your bathroom is suitable for this type of ventilation.
If you have to finish your exhaust duct closer to at least ten feet of any air intake, you should avoid this idea. Otherwise, the humid air will keep coming back to your house, and that’s not acceptable at all!
Is Venting through the Ceiling a Bad Idea?
You can vent through the roof if you want, and obviously, it isn’t a bad idea. It will keep the warm air out of your home and eliminate the chance of mold development.
However, making a hole in the room may damage the integrity of your house. Therefore, a vent using the soffit sounds like the safest thing to do.
Final Verdict
If you have the correct installing instruction, a vent through the soffit will not take you more than two hours. And after reading our guide on how to install a bathroom fan through soffit, you won’t have any issues while doing this procedure!
Just take your time to figure out the right spot on your soffit, which will be easier to access if you have to repair and clean anything. It will help to keep the vent well-maintained in the future.