How to install bathroom fan without going into attic?

[Fritzy]

Is there a way to install a bathroom exhaust fan without attic access? The electrician who installed mine 20 years ago only screwed the housing to the edge of the ceiling drywall. No, I'm not kidding. I'm afraid to remove it to explore the situation in case I can't get it back in again. I can't imagine how it can be attached to the joists. The house is a split level and the attic area is over the bedroom level and contains blown cellulose insulation. There is no access to it right now. I'd like to check out the existing fan before having the access panel built, and having blown insulation and fan venting added.

[ray2047]

Sounds like he just stuck it up there. He did duct it didn't he? If he didn't your also going to need to find a way to duct it.

You can usally just screw one side of the fan casing (fan removed) to a joist. You will need to drive the screws in at about a 30° to 45° angle beacuse unless you have a right angle drill there won't be room to drive them straight.