Exhaust Fans Clanging

[HawkinsGuy]

While the wind has been a bit stronger last night and today, the exhaust fans in our bathrooms and shower have been clanging as if they are flapping in the wind. This typically happens when there is even minimal wind. We live in a new home with the circular outlets on the roof. Is there any way to stop or at least minimize the clanging. Also, I wonder if having the vents flap allows rain water to be pushed into the fans.

[Keefelane66]

The bathroom fans usually vent exhaust to the eves not through the roof. There is a flap valve one chaser vent that may possibly be removed. The circular outlets coming thru roof are called soil pipes connected to sewer drain lines and vent fumes.
Since it’s a new home call warranty department.

[Altavia]

The bathroom fans usually vent exhaust to the eves not through the roof. There is a flap valve one chaser vent that may possibly be removed. The circular outlets coming thru roof are called soil pipes connected to sewer drain lines and vent fumes.
Since it’s a new home call warranty department.

Agree, normal noise and those vents exhaust in the eves.

An exception is stove and roof mounted dryer vents. ICNA: Dryer vents need to be cleaned periodically

[retiredguy123]

When wind blows past the circular eave exhaust pipe, it creates a negative pressure in the duct and causes the bathroom fan flap to open and close. This is a normal situation, not a defect. You may want to do a search for other threads on this topic. As I recall, one poster recommended a different exhaust fan that is quieter than the builder installed fan. But, most people just live with the occasional noise.

[mikeycereal]

I was thinking of buying wind chimes... but I got that covered! :duck:

[Bilyclub]

In our house it's the stove/range vent that does all the clanging.

[retiredguy123]

I was thinking of buying wind chimes... but I got that covered! :duck:
Please don't buy wind chimes. They should be banned.

[mikeycereal]

Please don't buy wind chimes. They should be banned.

Yeah they can be kinda noisy. But I'll just turn up the stereo volume. Problem solved!
:duck:
:duck:

[PJ_Smiley]

In the winter, cold air flowed into the guest bathroom through the bath exhaust fan. I added a spring-loaded cover (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-4-in-to-6-in-Soffit-Exhaust-Vent-SEVHD/203626521) which solved the problem.

[JMintzer]

Yeah they can be kinda noisy. But I'll just turn up the stereo volume. Problem solved!
:duck:
:duck:

https://media.makeameme.org/created/i-dont-always-gysdrp.jpg

[RICH1]

Duct tape them shut!

[MrFlorida]

My dryer vent flaps when it's extremely windy like yesterday, other than that I can live with it.

[asianthree]

Please don't buy wind chimes. They should be banned.

Sarcasm Sheldon

[coffeebean]

Agree, normal noise and those vents exhaust in the eves.

An exception is stove and roof mounted dryer vents. ICNA: Dryer vents need to be cleaned periodically

My exhaust vents in the bathrooms and the one over the stove make zero noise. Is there something wrong with mine? I only hear the motor when I turn on the exhaust fans. Are we talking about the same thing?

[retiredguy123]

My exhaust vents in the bathrooms and the one over the stove make zero noise. Is there something wrong with mine? I only hear the motor when I turn on the exhaust fans. Are we talking about the same thing?
The bathroom exhaust fan should have a metal flap that opens when you turn it on and closes when you turn it off. It will usually make a noise when it closes.

[coffeebean]

The bathroom exhaust fan should have a metal flap that opens when you turn it on and closes when you turn it off. It will usually make a noise when it closes.

I never heard anything "closing"; just the fan when it is on. I don't have any humidity problems in the bathroom where we shower so I guess the exhaust fan is working OK.

[retiredguy123]

I never heard anything "closing"; just the fan when it is on. I don't have any humidity problems in the bathroom where we shower so I guess the exhaust fan is working OK.
The flap that opens and closes may be stuck in the open position. If so, outside air could backflow into the bathroom, or you could get an uninvited animal coming inside.

To check if your exhaust fan is actually working, turn on the fan and go outside and check to see if air is coming out of the round opening in the horizontal soffit located about 5 feet from the exhaust fan. You may need to hold a piece of paper over the opening.

Note, that if your exhaust outlet is on the roof, put a piece of paper over the exhaust fan at the ceiling to see if the fan is sucking air. This will confirm that the fan is working, but it won't tell you where the exhaust air is going.

[coffeebean]

The flap that opens and closes may be stuck in the open position. If so, outside air could backflow into the bathroom, or you could get an uninvited animal coming inside.

To check if your exhaust fan is actually working, turn on the fan and go outside and check to see if air is coming out of the round opening in the horizontal soffit located about 5 feet from the exhaust fan. You may need to hold a piece of paper over the opening.

Note, that if your exhaust outlet is on the roof, put a piece of paper over the exhaust fan at the ceiling to see if the fan is sucking air. This will confirm that the fan is working, but it won't tell you where the exhaust air is going.

Thanks. I will check as you suggested.