Venting a Bath Without Penetrating the Roof

Open a Window

• The most basic way to vent a bath is by opening a window. The moisture laden air escapes and is replaced by the outside air. Leaving the bath door open and opening other windows facilitates the air movement, channeling the bath air outside quicker and more effectively.

Use a Fan

• The key element in every bath ventilation solution is a fan. You can use this same idea in a simplified way by placing a fan in the bath and blowing the air out. A fan mounted in a window works just as effectively as a bath fan blowing air through a duct and venting it outside. If you don't have a window in the bath, blow the air out into the next room and open a window there. Another fan in that window will push the bath air out into the atmosphere.

Venting to a Crawl Space

• An installed bath fan can be ducted downwards, through a crawlspace and vented outside. Ductwork can be passed directly through the floor or between wall joists and run through the crawlspace to an available wall or window exit point. At the end of the run, a louvered grill is mounted to channel the exhausted air out of the house.

Venting out of a Wall

• A bath can be vented out of the wall. Little or no ductwork is needed, but cutting the hole must be precise and the exit grill and frame, both inside and outside, must be made weatherproof. This project is only for experienced do-it-yourself people as it requires cutting through the wall proper. If your skills do not match the job required, call in a professional for this task.