Testing your bathroom ceiling vent fan

[jayerose]

..We recommend doing a toilet paper test to ensure your fan is functioning effectively. Take 2 pieces of toilet paper. Turn the fan on and put the toilet paper up to the fan. The fan should suck the toilet paper up and it should stay attached to the fan. If it doesn't, all your fan is doing is making noise..

I guess our fan is only making noise : /

Has anyone ever removed and tried to clean/fix?

If not, who did you call to fix?

thank you!

[photo1902]

If you’re referring to the Nutone 744NT (combo vent fan and light) they’re inherently weak, and junk, in my opinion. You can remove the bulb and trim ring to remove the dust, but it’s a waste of time.

The best suggestion is to add a digital timer switch and let it run 20 minutes after you shower, to remove moist air.

[La lamy]

I usually clean mine once a year or so. I don't know which model you have but it's usually springy clips that keeps the 'lid' of the fan in place on the ceiling (you need to 'spring them back into place to put it back). If yours is not holding a tissue it's probably more a replacement versus a cleaning that it may need. Good luck!

[EdFNJ]

..We recommend doing a toilet paper test to ensure your fan is functioning effectively. Take 2 pieces of toilet paper. Turn the fan on and put the toilet paper up to the fan. The fan should suck the toilet paper up and it should stay attached to the fan. If it doesn't, all your fan is doing is making noise..

I guess our fan is only making noise : /

Has anyone ever removed and tried to clean/fix?

If not, who did you call to fix?

thank you!


I usually light a 5 gallon bucket full of newspapers & lighter fluid then blow it out. That way I am able to test both bathroom fans, all my smoke detectors and the kitchen exhaust fan simultaneously. I also leave a bowl of cookies and some beer out for the fire dept as well.

EDIT: DISCLAIMER: PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME WITHOUT A WORKING CELL PHONE AND ADEQUATE VENTILATION :D :)

[Fredman]

I usually light a 5 gallon bucket full of newspapers & lighter fluid then blow it out. That way I am able to test both bathroom fans, all my smoke detectors and the kitchen exhaust fan simultaneously. I also leave a bowl of cookies and some beer out for the fire dept as well.

Good one😅😅😅😅

[Kenswing]

I usually light a 5 gallon bucket full of newspapers & lighter fluid then blow it out. That way I am able to test both bathroom fans, all my smoke detectors and the kitchen exhaust fan simultaneously. I also leave a bowl of cookies and some beer out for the fire dept as well.

:1rotfl: :bigbow: :1rotfl:

[villagetinker]

I usually light a 5 gallon bucket full of newspapers & lighter fluid then blow it out. That way I am able to test both bathroom fans, all my smoke detectors and the kitchen exhaust fan simultaneously. I also leave a bowl of cookies and some beer out for the fire dept as well.

Ed, I know you are kidding, but just in case some newbies think their smoke detectors actually call the fire department, THEY DO NOT. If you have a fire, you need to call.

But I do like your sense of humor.

[photo1902]

Ed, I know you are kidding, but just in case some newbies think their smoke detectors actually call the fire department, THEY DO NOT. If you have a fire, you need to call.

But I do like your sense of humor.

Seriously?

[EdFNJ]

Ed, I know you are kidding, but just in case some newbies think their smoke detectors actually call the fire department, THEY DO NOT. If you have a fire, you need to call.

But I do like your sense of humor.


Understood! I'll add "PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME WITHOUT A WORKING CELL PHONE AND ADEQUATE VENTILATION" ;)

(I know you mean well, just bustin' your chops)

[GOLFER54]

It sucked up my toupee.

[gregcharlesnelson@gmail]

It sucked up my toupee.Good one!

[TandHSTAR@AOL.com]

Ok good laugh for the day. Fire dept must love you leaving cookies and all LOL

[OhioBuckeye]

If you’re referring to the Nutone 744NT (combo vent fan and light) they’re inherently weak, and junk, in my opinion. You can remove the bulb and trim ring to remove the dust, but it’s a waste of time.

The best suggestion is to add a digital timer switch and let it run 20 minutes after you shower, to remove moist air.

I agree with you 100%. My Bathroom exhaust fan you couldn’t hear it if the shower was running. I always thought it couldn’t suck out cigarette smoke. Good comment!

[Manhoopty]

They “went”...

[OhioBuckeye]

I usually clean mine once a year or so. I don't know which model you have but it's usually springy clips that keeps the 'lid' of the fan in place on the ceiling (you need to 'spring them back into place to put it back). If yours is not holding a tissue it's probably more a replacement versus a cleaning that it may need. Good luck!

I agree it probably needs replaced but I’m guessing even most of the new homes have weak bathroom fans too. To me this is just cheap fans that builders put in homes that we spent lots of money for & have to replace already. Bathroom fans should last about as long as your home. I’ve lived in rental homes that were built in the 50’s & they worked fine, if anything they were a little noisy. Good comment La Lamy!

[Decadeofdave]

..We recommend doing a toilet paper test to ensure your fan is functioning effectively. Take 2 pieces of toilet paper. Turn the fan on and put the toilet paper up to the fan. The fan should suck the toilet paper up and it should stay attached to the fan. If it doesn't, all your fan is doing is making noise..

I guess our fan is only making noise : /

Has anyone ever removed and tried to clean/fix?

If not, who did you call to fix?

thank you!
Related to this conversation: if you have replaced your roof recently. Check the connections on fans and dryer vent etc. These roofers are in a hurry and sometimes forget to reconnect the vent pipe.

[llmcdaniel]

When we remodeled and enclosed our lanai, we hired an electrician to take one ceiling fan and install it in our master bathroom. No trouble with moisture or mildew. The other ceiling fan from the lanai was installed in our garage.

[NavyVet]

I will never again go without a ceiling fan in the bathroom. So much better than exhaust fans that do nothing - in fact, even on low speed, there is no fogging of mirrors from shower and keeps the bathroom feeling cooler. Win, win! :-)

[Copaleski]

🤣🤣🤣 love it

[Girlcopper]

Ed, I know you are kidding, but just in case some newbies think their smoke detectors actually call the fire department, THEY DO NOT. If you have a fire, you need to call.

But I do like your sense of humor.
What? .??Newbie or not, smoke detectors have been around for decades. Never has a detector called the FD. Where would you or anyone get that ludicrous idea

[NY2TV]

I didn't understand your post because you didn't say exhaust fan. I thought you meant a regular ceiling fan, which I do have in my bathroom. After reading the responses, I figured out what you meant.