Bathroom Exhaust Fan / Where To ??

Have an Older Home Built in the Mid 70's, at a time of the Mind Set of R2000 & Air Tight.. There is No Kitchen Exhaust Fan directly to the Outside , neither is there a Bathroom Exhaust to the Outside.. Big Problem with Condensation Build Up in the Bathroom Especially during the Winter Months when keeping a Window Open would create Another Problem of Loss of Heat.. Looking at replacing an Existing Ceiling Light with a Combination Ceiling Light / Bathroom Exhaust Fan.. The Query is Running the Exhaust Line to the Outside , Hoping to avoid having to Cut a Hole in the Roof but I'm told through the Soffit is Not Allowed .. We have a Cupola Style Vent Hood on the Peek of the Roof, could I Run the Line up through this or would that be the same as the Soffit Route.. The Bathroom is against 2 Outside Walls, We could go through an Attic Wall to the Outside ??

Wiring will be My Next query, as I said previous the House being built in the 70's . The Light Switch for the existing Bathroom Ceiling Light is just Outside the Bathroom Door before Entering.. I want to keep the Light & Fan Operated Separately ... Advice, Ideas Appreciated, Cheers Thanks

 

Through the roof is the preferred method and to code. You say the soffit is not allowed. Is that a local code? Although not desirable in most place it is acceptable.

Yes you should be able to separate the light and fan on separate switches. Wiring will tell you how on the unit you buy. Maybe now is the time to put that switch into the room as opposed to just outside.

 

@Norm201.. Upon further look see at another Forum I frequent.. The Soffit Route came from an International Residential Code Book (2012).. Obviously Codes very from each Township / County.. We're Eastern Ontario, as I said I was thinking of going up through the Cupola Hood Vent.. The Nay Sayers say possible Blow Back into the Attic.. I plan on installing an Inline Trap like device (Ball that Seats / Seals Itself) to keep the Cold Air Out when the Fan is Shut Off..

 

I suspect that your plane of using the cupola will also be against code. Let us know what the local authorities have to say.

 

I'm another nay sayer. You need to avoid moisture in the attic.
A check valve will do nothing to direct the moisture from the bathroom to the outside when fan is on, and that is your goal. I wouldn't call it possible blow back if you connect the duct near the cupola, I would call it definite blow back.

I would only install the fan if you plan to vent it through the roof. Taking a chance that moisture will be trapped in the attic can cause far worse problems than what you have. Mold is one.

Your other option is to vent it out a gable end of the roof, if you have gable ends. The soffit route you mentioned is not an option.

 

@Handyone... The Attic Space is limited , more like Belly Crawling Wiggle through the Trusses.. But there is a Gable End.. Which Truthfully would be more Leak Resistent..lol...

 

@Norm201.... As for Moving the Switch to Inside the Bathroom .. Would love to but just the layout , door frame and all, I'm assuming with the Wall Studding behind the Drywall.. Might be just as well to just run the new wire down from the attic along the existing wire to the Bathroom Light Switch.. But I'll never say never, could be a different story if I can pull the switch box away from the studding to have a look see as there is a Full Length Mirror on the Inside of the Switch Wall..lol..

 

Update.. To My Original Query about which direction / route to run the Bathroom Exhaust to the Outside.. Don't know the Exact Pitch / Roof Slant as it's Deceiving from the Outside, it's only Wiggle Room last time I looked in the Attic..lol.. Well today I decided to size up the situation in the Attic, Big Big Mistake.. Your Classic Case of Opened Up a Can of Worms, the Trap Door Access is wedged in pretty good.. Continuous pounding equally on all sides will only move it so far, afraid to get to physical for fear of breaking door..lol.. But the Ugly part is Black Mold and Wetness on the Rim on the Attic Side of the Trap Door.

We're into our 9th Year of Ownership of our Present Home, it's a good 5 years since anyone had a peek up in the Attic.. Have Watched Enough of Mike Holmes & Bryan Baumler to realize / understand the Outcome May Not Be Pretty... It will be Which Way Should We Turn ??