Extractor Fan Leaking

Trying_really_hard

Hello All,

Well I got up this morning to find a puddle of water on top of the toilet seat seemily dripping from the extractor fan. I also noticed a small wet patch on the carpet near the loft hatch - they are no doubt related but wondered what it could before I panic thinking I have roof leak.

Any ideas as to what it could be before I look in the phone book for a man to come round to look in the loft for a leak (or failing that, get my DIY-averse husband to do it)?

Thanks in advance for humouring and potentially helping me!

macman

The fan can't be leaking-it doesn't have a water supply! I'm guessing that snow is being blown in through the extractor vent and then melting once indoors? There should be a vent flap on the outer wall to prevent draughts and rain getting in.
Possibly the same for the roof- you may have a weak point where settled snow will melt through.
You are just as able to visit the loft as your husband is though?

Trying_really_hard

Thanks MacMan - I did wonder if it was snow melting after last night's fall.

I am no where near tall enough to reach the loft, even with the step ladder

barneyg

Another thing you might want to check: if there's ducting in the loft from the fan to the outside world, it's also possible the steam has condensed in the pipe - if there's a lot of condensation it could have reached the point where it's dripping back into the room through the fan.

fluffpot

As Barney says, odds on it;s condensation forming on the outside of the fan vent - the air inside the vent will of course be warm as it's coming from your bathroom. Really the fan should have been fitted with a condensation trap (catches the water as it drips down the vent, then pipes it outside) but I rarely see them and it could be that the problem stops when temperature are not quite so freezing!