Bathroom Extractor fan - How to keep water out?

Daronfitz

Hi not sure if anyone will have any ideas but here goes. I have an extractor fan in the ceiling of my loft extension ensuite. The problem is that water comes in through the outlet pipe and eventually shorts the fan. I don't know the orientation of the outlet on the outside of the house (the extension was done before I bought the house).

Can anyone come up with a cheap and safe way to stop the water getting to the fan unit from inside the bathroom? (I don't have a ladder high enough to get to the outside and me and heights aren't the best of friends anyway! )

Xeorix

To put it simply, that shouldn't happen, however the good news is that it should be a simple fix!

On the outside of the house where the pipe goes, check to see if there is a grill. Hopefully it should be a flappy one, if not replace it with one. Something like the following, make sure the size is right:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Extractor-Gravity-External-Ventilation-Plastic/dp/B00IMAU87A

Secondly, get into the loft and look at the pipe. I'd expect its a soft coil, if it is, try slightly raising it which will create a curve upwards which should stop any water travelling down the pipe

jonnyb1978

I'm no expert but is your ducting at an angle so any water extracted or getting in from outside running down the ducting back into the fan?

Daronfitz

Xeorix - I haven't been able to see the outlet when I look from ground level so I'm not sure what the grill is like - I'll have another look though. As I said, working on the outside is difficult to say the least (cowardly me!). The pipe is hidden in the ceiling but as I remember it is the flexible type, so I may be able to get a hand in and push it up a little at the fan end.

jonnyb1978 - I assume there is a slight downward angle to the duct but it was installed before I bought the house and I can't see any more the the fan outlet.

saveallmymoney

I would think its most likely condensation.

Does the pipe run over or under the loft insulation? Putting it under the loft insulation can sometimes be a quick fix, as can a more powerful fan.

Strider590

I'd say it was more to do with moisture condensing inside the ducting and then running back down into the fan.

If the duct runs through a cold area, this is very likely to occur.

You could try wrapping the ducting with insulation.

Daronfitz

I'm fairly sure its rainwater - we have had some come through when it was really wet and windy.

I can't get to the ducting as its hidden in the ceiling of the loft extension.

Ruski

Am I right in reading that this is in a loft conversion, so it exits straight through to the angled roof/tile face? Everyone is assuming your ducting goes into a loft space...


Russ

Daronfitz

You're correct about the loft conversion but I have a full dormer and the ducting exits to the vertical wall I believe.

muckybutt

You need to install a condensation trap.

We used to fit ceiling fans all the time when doing bathroom modifications at the council where I worked as it was quicker and easier to go up through the roof rather than core drill the walls.... anyhow as standard and to stop condensation dripping back through the fan / duct we fitted a condensation trap to the outlet duct and overflow pipe through the soffit.



http://www.gil-lec.co.uk/4-inch-condensation-trap-manrose-1440?gclid=CjwKEAiA8_KlBRD9z_jl_fKBhQkSJABDKqiXO_fTS7cBh_dewtM1CrmOmS3bVlAfx_N9WwA1b7qhWhoCNDHw_wcB

Daronfitz

I presume this would need to be fitted at the fan end and a waste pipe fed through to exit the external wall somewhere?