Replies

1. 
   G80104 | Jan 16, 2009 04:46pm | #1

   36" from  the window opening

1. 
   ceb | Jan 16, 2009 06:44pm | #2

   Thanks. Given the way the pipes come out I may have to run a bit of pipe. Other than taking it out horizontally (which will be really ugly) the other possiblity is to take it around the chimney and end it up behind the AC compressor. Would that cause a problem?

1. 
   wane | Jan 16, 2009 08:56pm | #3

   the other way around, you can't have any intakes within 3' (4?) of the furnace intake/exhaust .. they didn't run the bathroom exhaust thru a 2" abs did they?

   Edited 1/16/2009 12:57 pm ET by wane

1. 
   ceb | Jan 16, 2009 10:54pm | #4

   Nope, they never installed a vent of any kind. Just a fan in the ceiling of the bath. Not connected to anything.

2. 
   Sasquatch | Jan 17, 2009 11:46pm | #17

   You could run it UG.

2. 
   user-201496 | Jan 16, 2009 11:37pm | #5

   I doubt the builder tried to sneak it by the inspector. I'm sure it was just an over sight.

1. 
   DanH | Jan 16, 2009 11:49pm | #6

   Or, more likely, he was just too stupid to realize that, while you can (barely) get away with this on the top floor (venting to the attic), it just plain doesn't work on a lower floor.(Definitely not defending venting into the attic here -- just sayin')
   The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

1. 
   Matt | Jan 18, 2009 01:39am | #20

   >> 

   Or, more likely, he was just too stupid to realize that, while you can (barely) get away with this on the top floor (venting to the attic), it just plain doesn't work on a lower floor.

    <<

   He said the house was built in 1971 and threat he's the 3rd owner.  So, even more likely than "the builder" it was probably a "stupid" HO or looser remodeled and whichever of the 2 it was obviously didn't have it inspected. 

1. 
   ceb | Jan 18, 2009 05:58am | #21

   Its the same brand and model fan as in other baths in the house so I'm confident it dates to original construction, especially as the second owner did nothing in the house. To the earlier post, this bath is under the living room so going up is not an option -- aqctually three finished levels above the bath. Only place to vent is through the adjacent mechanical room, which is completely underground. That exterior wall has three windows at basement level, three more at the first floor level and a chimney. Not a lot of options in terms of where the vent pipe can go -- maybe why it never got vented in the first place. Behind the AC compressor may be the only option.Carlos

2. 
   ceb | Jan 16, 2009 11:59pm | #7

   Well, the other vent fans in the house were all connected to the exterior.

1. 
   user-201496 | Jan 17, 2009 12:04am | #8

   I'm just saying when I build a house it is my HVAC sub that connects the vent to the fans. So I would have no reason not to do it. It was just an oversight.

2. 
   calvin | Jan 17, 2009 12:05am | #9

   Half or full bath?A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    

1. 
   ceb | Jan 17, 2009 04:12am | #10

   Full bath which is right next to the mechanical room where the lower HVAC systems are located.

   Edited 1/16/2009 8:21 pm ET by ceb

1. 
   calvin | Jan 17, 2009 06:38am | #11

   A dryer vent dumping a bunch of concentrated moisture out, this isn't.  I don't believe you'll have a problem in most any unobstructed location, tho near an intake I wouldn't.

   My apologies for not re-reading the first post with the info in it.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    

2. 
   ceb | Jan 17, 2009 05:24pm | #12

   Thanks you all

3. 
   Matt | Jan 17, 2009 05:40pm | #13

   did you buy the house new or used?

4. 
   ceb | Jan 17, 2009 08:22pm | #15

   House was built in 1971, I'm the third owner. Seems I'm the only one who cares about fixing this

3. 
   danski0224 | Jan 17, 2009 06:06pm | #14

   Section G2427.8 if the 2003 IRC gives the following for mechanical ventilation outlet:

   • 4' below, 4' horizontally or 12" above any door, operable window or gravity air inlet.
   • The mechanical draft vent system shall terminate at least 3 feet above any forced air inlet located within 10 feet (exceptions are listed for UL listed intake/exhaust direct vent appliance venting).

   That means your bath vent needs to be at least 3' above the furnace vent... or more than 10' away while complying with the clearances in the first bullet point to comply with the 2003 IRC.

   Local codes may be more stringent.

1. 
   ceb | Jan 17, 2009 08:24pm | #16

   Well making this comply won't be easy (or pretty) but might as well do it right. Only option will be to put it behind the AC compressor. I hope that won't be a problem.Many thanks

1. 
   danski0224 | Jan 18, 2009 12:42am | #18

   Don't forget that you can run the pipe vertically in an outside wall and then out. You would need to fur the wall out if you want to maintain R value... could also run it vertically on the outside.

   Long exterior runs could cause problems if there is a horizontal part- critters and/or freezing.

2. 
   Riversong | Jan 18, 2009 01:01am | #19

   Only option will be to put it behind the AC compressor. I hope that won't be a problem.

   I would not place the outlet near the AC. It's trying to cool the coils and doesn't need the additional latent heat of warm, moist air. There's probably enough of that outdoors in the summer anyway. 

   Riversong HouseWright

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