Bathroom Exhaust Fan Filters?

I live in a 3 story condo building that is about 7 yrs old. I live on the 2nd floor.

I have a Nutone exhaust fan in my bathroom. It's an older model with a light in the middle and the plastic grill on either side of the light. When I moved in, the grill completely covered with a thick layer of dust. I was able to wipe most of it off.

1. Are there any filters that can be used behind the plastic grill? I just want an easy way to capture any dust/dirt instead of having it build up in the ducting.

2. I have a strange odor in the bathroom. I can't determine where it is coming from. It's not the sink, tub, or toilet. Since I'm in a condo, could it be a smell coming through the exhaust fan duct? Would these be linked to other units?

Thanks in advance for any advice and tips!

 

The exhaust ducting should NOT be connected to each other. However that is not to say that the GC took short cuts and did connect them together, which could account for foul odors in your unit. In looking on the outside of the unit, do you see separate exhaust flappers for dryers and bath fans for each floor??
To answer your question regarding filters, anything you add on top of the plastic will get sucked up into the motor, so I doubt there is any filter adaptable for those units. Cleaning the unit, and keeping it clean will ensure a good air flow.

 

I was inspecting my in-laws condo (now ours) in FL and came up short on vents, so I know they have combined something. Ironically, right after I left to head downtown I passed a van with their business on the side. It said dryer, kitchen, and bath exhaust vent cleaning. I never knew someone could make a business out of just that, but I guess they have so many condos down there and since it is part of the building it is not a DIY. So, you can get them cleaned if needed, which shouldn't be very often.

Bud

 

And maybe because there are so many retirees who don't want to do any more maintenance chores themselves?

 

Thanks for the reply. There are a few different exhaust flappers for each floor but not enough for a flapper per unit. Would there be flappers within the ducting to separate the units?

The odor is not constant; so that makes me think it would come from another unit. Any other thoughts on this are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

There should be an exhaust port (flapper) for each exhaust appliance, hood over the stove, each bathroom, and the dryer. If they are combined, IMO, only ducts common to one unit should be connected and I don't even like that. If your bath exhaust is shared with other units you should address this with the condo representative as you cannot do work on someone else's vent. Is there an attic associated with your condo?

The condo maintenance people should be able to tell you where each is run and what is or is not interconnected.

In addition to the flapper you see outside, each exhaust fan usually has a flapper as part of the assembly and they rarely work well, especially after years of dust collecting.

Bud