How to Install a Kitchen Exhaust Pipe

Mark the location of the pipe where it exits the kitchen. Place a small section of pipe against the wall or ceiling and mark around the outside to draw a circle. The location must be between any existing studs or ceiling joist. Use a hammer and nail to make sure there are no studs or ceiling joist inside the circle.

Use a hand-held drywall saw to cut the opening for the pipe. Go into the attic and check the location for clearance. Remove any insulation and be sure to avoid any wires that may be behind the drywall. For wall-mounted vents, cut the drywall carefully without penetrating deeply into the wall until you are sure what is behind the drywall.

Measure the length of pipe necessary to extend from the kitchen to the outside air. For roof-mounted exits, measure to confirm the exit location is between rafters or truss members and not in a roof valley or ridge. Drive a nail through the roof decking at the center of the pipe-exiting location. Go on top of the house and locate the nail. Mark a circle using the nail as the center and cut the shingles off with a utility knife. Drill a hole and use a jigsaw to cut a hole in the decking material. The exterior wall vent and the soffit vent openings may be round or square. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for marking the siding or soffit area that will be removed and for proper installation of the vent cover.

Pry off the shingles necessary to place the roof vent. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to place the shingles over the top half of the vent flange and underneath the lower half of the vent flange.

Use plastic or metal straps to secure the exhaust pipe in the attic. Exhaust pipe with several sections must be secured to avoid future separation of the sections. Entire pipe length must be secured to avoid movement due to the pull of gravity or wind action of the exterior vents.