How To Fix A Leaking Bathroom Exhaust Fan

A leaking bathroom exhaust fan can be a frustrating and potentially dangerous problem. Water damage can lead to mold and mildew growth, which can cause health problems. It can also damage your ceiling and walls. If you have a leaking bathroom exhaust fan, it's important to fix it as soon as possible. Fortunately, it's usually a relatively easy repair that you can do yourself.

There are a few different things that can cause a bathroom exhaust fan to leak. The most common causes are:

A clogged drain
A loose or damaged seal around the fan
A cracked or broken fan blade

Once you've identified the cause of the leak, you can start to fix it. Here are the steps on how to fix a leaking bathroom exhaust fan:

1. Turn off the power to the fan

Before you start working on the fan, make sure to turn off the power to it. You can do this by turning off the circuit breaker or fuse that powers the fan.

2. Remove the fan cover

Once the power is off, you can remove the fan cover. The cover is usually held in place by a few screws. Once you've removed the screws, the cover should come off easily.

3. Clean the drain

If the drain is clogged, it can cause water to back up and leak out of the fan. To clean the drain, use a small brush or a pipe cleaner to remove any debris that is blocking the drain.

4. Inspect the seal around the fan

The seal around the fan can become loose or damaged over time. This can allow water to leak out of the fan. To inspect the seal, look for any gaps or cracks. If you find any gaps or cracks, you can seal them with caulk.

5. Inspect the fan blades

The fan blades can become cracked or broken over time. This can cause the fan to wobble and leak water. To inspect the fan blades, look for any cracks or breaks. If you find any cracks or breaks, you will need to replace the fan blades.

6. Reassemble the fan

Once you've fixed the leak, you can reassemble the fan. To reassemble the fan, simply reverse the steps that you took to disassemble it.

7. Turn on the power to the fan

Once the fan is reassembled, you can turn on the power to it. The fan should now be working properly and no longer leaking.

If you're not comfortable fixing the leak yourself, you can always call a qualified electrician. However, it's usually a relatively easy repair that you can do yourself with a little time and effort.