There is nothing more annoying that a water leak because of a bathroom fan duct. And it can be a notoriously difficult problem to diagnose because homeowners don’t even suspect that condensation can cause such water damage.
I once inspected a garage that was covered in mold because there was a duct going through the unconditioned attic without insulation.
Duct Problems In Unconditioned Spaces
Bathroom ducts that go through unconditioned spaces commonly develop condensation problems which can result in mold growth or wall damage.
The same thing happens when you take a cold lemonade outside on a hot day. The cold glass hits the hot air, and water beads form on the outside of the glass. But the same thing can happen if you take a hot coffee outside on a very cold day.
Well, if you have a bathroom vent pipe that is exposed to a humid crawlspace, attic, or unfinished basement — the duct can develop condensation or water droplets.
The water forming inside the bathroom vent pipe may even completely block the duct. When water forms inside the duct, it may collect at the ‘low areas’ of the duct, and then the duct droops even more, eventually partially or totally blocking the air flow. And if it is very cold outside, it may actually form a mass of ice inside the duct instead.
To minimize condensation, you always want to insulate the duct if it goes through an unconditioned area.
Read Also: What Are The Top 8 Uses Of Bathroom Exhaust Fans?
Solution #1. Pre-Wrapped Insulated Ducts
The easiest way to insulate a bathroom vent that goes through an unconditioned area is to just replace it with a pre-wrapped insulated duct.
These insulated ducts come in 3-6 inch diameters and the standard length is 25-feet — but you can buy longer ones. The flexible duct is wrapped in 1-2 inches of fiberglass or rockwool insulation.
This pre-wrapped vent pipe saves you the time and hassle of wrapping the duct yourself in insulation which can be quite a chore. All you have to do is remove the existing duct, and install the new duct.
Solution #2. Wrap The Existing Duct
There may be a reason as to why you want to keep the duct and wrap it yourself in insulation.
You may not have a flexible vent, you may have a rigid metal duct that is higher quality than flex ducts. These metal ducts are smooth-walled which means they don’t have ridges that can slow down air flow.
The easiest option is to temporarily remove the duct so you can wrap it in insulation — and then reinstall it. You may be able to wrap it while leaving it in place, but it really depends on the location and how many obstructions you have.
And to enhance thermal performance of the vent as well as prevent condensation — sealing the duct with tape and sealant prior to the insulation is recommended.
Step 1. Tape The Seam
Once you have removed the metal vent pipe, it’s a good idea to first seal the lengthwise seam of the duct with drywall tape.
Sealing the vent when you have access and before wrapping it with insulation will give you even better results if you are having condensation problems.
If you have taken the metal vent sections apart, then you should keep a few inches clear of the tape (on each end) otherwise you may have trouble putting the duct back together. But if the duct is still one piece, then you can do it all in one step.
The drywall tape will make the seal much stronger after you apply the gray sealant.
Read Also: What Is The Code Requirements For Bathroom Fan Vents?
Step 2. Apply Duct Sealant
After the drywall tape, you will need to apply duct sealant or mastic to the drywall tape and duct seam.
Coat the seam to the point that you can’t see the drywall tape anymore. You can use a cheap 3-inch paint brush to apply the duct sealant.
After applying the sealant, you can go ahead with wrapping the insulation — you don’t have to wait for it to dry.
Step 3. Wrap Insulation And Staple It
Place the fiberglass insulation on the floor, and the put the vent in the middle of the insulation. Wrap the insulation around the duct with a few inches overlapping.
Make sure that the ends which will be connected to the bath fan and to the exterior hood collar are clear of insulation (at least a few inches) otherwise it will be difficult to re-connect.
Take a staple gun, and staple together the fiberglass in several spots. After it is stapled, tape together the seam of the insulation with aluminum tape directly over the sealant. You don’t have to wait for the sealant to dry.
Read Also: How To Replace A Bathroom Fan Without Attic Access?
Insulated Box For Housing
In addition to wrapping the vent pipe in insulation, you may also want to create an insulation box that covers the bathroom fan housing.
You can make a box using rigid foam insulation board, taping together the edges with aluminum foil tape. Place the box over the bath fan housing, making a hole for the duct to exit. You can also tape the box to the ceiling drywall with the foil tape.
Spray Foam Insulation For Collar
Another place to add insulation for the bathroom duct is the area of the exterior vent hood collar. This is the foot long metal sleeve that comes out of the exterior vent hood.
Especially if the vent is in the basement, it is important to insulate this area as well. Probably the easiest way is to use a can of spray foam to insulate the entire area.
