An HVAC expert clears the air about the latest viral cleaning trend and shares her top vent maintenance tips.
But have you paid attention to your bathroom fan lately?
If not, there’s a simple trick that can tell you if it’s working properly.
Credit:RICHARD LEO JOHNSON
But if it fails, should it be cleaned or replaced?
An HVAC expert clears the air and shares her top vent maintenance tips with us.
Does it need to be replaced, or will a deep cleaning suffice?
Learn how to keep your vents in their best shape so your bathroom stays clean for longer.
Why Test Your Bathroom Fans?
Beyond health concerns, a fan that isn’t working correctly can hurt your wallet, too.
An issue you might not have considered is the wasted energy that a poorly working fan can cost.
Which Bathroom Vents Need to Be Tested?
The answer is, fortunately, pretty straightforward.
The vent is the actual duct or pipe providing a pathway from inside the bathroom to outside the house.
What Is the Bathroom Fan Paper Test?
Usinga handheld vacuum, quickly vacuum over the outside of the vent.
Then, hold up a single sheet of paper to the fan and remove your hand.
The creator indicates in her comment section that she performs the test on each fan about once per month.
In between testings, there are other warning signs that can indicate your fans aren’t working properly.
Not necessarily, according to Fournier.
She explains that some condensation on the outside of the vent isnt out of the ordinary.
First, look at your damper flap, as its purpose is to channel airflow, she says.
Water dripping from your fan likely indicates that your damper flap needs to be replaced.
If nothing else is wrong and your fan is relatively new, it probably needs a good cleaning.
Fournier shares her tips for effectivelycleaning your bathroom fan.
Step 1: Disconnect Power
Always start bydisconnecting the powerfrom the fan via the break box.
Step 2: Remove the Grate
Remove the vent grate.
If your fan has an attached light, disconnect the wire before fully removing the grate.
Step 3: Wash with Soap and Water
Wash the grate with mild dish soap and water.
Fournier warns to skip this step if you have a fan-light combination.
And if cleaning or replacing parts, such as the flapper, doesnt appear to fix the fan?
Sometimes, replacing your bathroom exhaust fan is the only option," Fournier says.
