I'm currently remodeling my early 1900s home and just discovered that the bathroom exhaust fan has a short duct leading to nowhere. It seems to vent into the space between the joists above, but I'm not completely sure it's adequately vented. How crucial is it to ensure this fan is vented externally? I'm planning to do it right, but I wanted to hear others' opinions on the importance of proper venting.
4 Answers
It's essential to get that vent out properly. I recommend venting it through the wall or soffit, not through the roof—that can lead to other issues.
Definitely a top priority! You should consult with an electrician; they're experts in installing these fans. Proper ventilation will help prevent any moisture problems that could arise.
Yeah, it's pretty critical. Both my bathrooms were venting into the attic until our inspection flagged it. While we haven’t had mold issues yet, I bought ducts to vent them outside during our remodel because I don’t want to risk it.
It's super important to vent that fan properly! The main purpose of a bathroom exhaust fan isn't just to get rid of odors—it mainly helps with moisture control. If it's just venting into your attic, you're risking mold problems in the future. I went through the same thing during my remodel, and now I’m glad I decided to vent it outside. It might cost a bit more upfront, but it'll save you a lot of headaches later.
Thank you for the advice!
Totally agree! If moisture gets trapped in your attic, it can actually compress insulation and make it less effective.

Good point! Avoiding the roof definitely makes sense.