Who could fix this? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bean · 10-03-2011, 12:35 PM

I'm reaching out for CP wisdom as I'm not sure how to go about repairing this.

When we started using our master bathroom a water stain started appearing between the exhaust fan and the wall. (Other side of the wall is the exterior/siding). The stain has been growing over the past few years and I can't tell if it has slowed since we've installed a 60 minute fan timer to get rid of the moisture and humidity after showers.

The house was built about 4 years ago however the stain started appearing 3 years ago when we started using the bathroom on a regular basis. Who would I call to get this repaired? A roofing company doesn't seem right because it is inside the house, but a HVAC company doesn't seem right either since it is a stain/leak on the inside of the house and not furnace related. With this in mind, I'm not sure if the leak is coming from the outside of the house in, or the other way around.

Help?

p.s. here is a bad picture of what I'm talking about.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27856280@N02/6208535344/

Ashartus · 10-03-2011, 12:38 PM

Is your new home warranty still valid? If so I suggest contacting the builder first.

Bean · 10-03-2011, 12:47 PM

Our warranty through the builder has expired for a while now. Alberta New Home Warranty might be an option but only if this is considered a 'structural' problem.

I'm not sure if the leak would come from the attic but in my opinion; that'd be tough for me to prove as structural without a second opinion.

Sliver · 10-03-2011, 12:52 PM

Could be condensation on your exhaust ducting (warm air from your bathroom hits cold air in the attic). The ducting should be insulated (if it's not, I'd start there) and there should be a bend in the ducting that will allow water to collect and evaporate on the inside of the ducting versus just dripping down onto your ceiling.

As for who you'd call - I paid an electrician to install a new fan in my bathroom and he added the insulated ducting while he was up there.

Delthefunky · 10-03-2011, 12:56 PM

I assume there is an attic or crawl space above the washroom? If so, I would try and take a peak up there just to see if there is any evidence of where the moisture is coming from. Could be the roof.

Otherwise I would say it's coming from moisture in the washroom. Maybe the ceiling fan helps maybe not.

A quick fix if you don't think there is much or any water damage would be just to paint it. If your concerned about mold you can get a remediation spray. Otherwise, phone a handy-man!

topfiverecords · 10-03-2011, 01:08 PM

Sounds like condensation is forming on the vent pipe in the attic and then dripping back down onto the ceiling.

Caged Great · 10-03-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Sounds like condensation is forming on the vent pipe in the attic and then dripping back down onto the ceiling.

That's what I would assume as well, otherwise it might be a leaking roof.

Robotic · 10-03-2011, 01:49 PM

I'd take a look in your attic and see if there is any mold or condensation build up. Make sure when you look into your attic you can see some light coming in from outside as there needs to be sufficient air movement to compensate the temperature changes outside. If there isnt then you may have a good idea whats wrong.

yads · 10-03-2011, 03:50 PM

You can take a look yourself, as for who's going to fix it, get a drywall guy.

Bagor · 10-03-2011, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliver

there should be a bend in the ducting that will allow water to collect and evaporate on the inside of the ducting versus just dripping down onto your ceiling.

It should be as straight as possible for airflow and fan performance.

Agreed that it sounds like a poorly insulated, not sealed duct pipe.

DuffMan · 10-03-2011, 08:22 PM

are both those walls exterior?
You should find your attic access panel and stick your head up there with a flashlight and have a look at the piping like others mentioned.
I think it something to do with the exterior though.

BEANZ · 10-03-2011, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bagor

It should be as straight as possible for airflow and fan performance.

Agreed that it sounds like a poorly insulated, not sealed duct pipe.

You sir are incorrect. A straight exaust pipe in our climate will result in moisture dripping thru the fan on a regular basis. As Sliver stated the pipe needs to be bent to allow any condensation to collect rather than drip onto the ceiling/floor.

Robbob · 10-03-2011, 09:45 PM

Shouldn't venting from exhaust fans all be one peice insulated flex? If it were hard pipe I would be concerned unless it is part of some air make up system.

DuffMan · 10-03-2011, 09:52 PM

flex as in that accordian type stuff. You don't want that, or the condensation will just get caught in the ridges.

Like to know more about this bent concept though for pooling.

Clarkey · 10-03-2011, 10:04 PM

I believe your roof is leaking where the vent pipe meets the roof. Water has travelled down the side of the pipe and settled in the low spot at the edge of your wall. Get a ladder and a trouble light/flash light and crawl up into your attick and check. Make sure to only step on the beams.

Bagor · 10-03-2011, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEANZ

You sir are incorrect. A straight exaust pipe in our climate will result in moisture dripping thru the fan on a regular basis. As Sliver stated the pipe needs to be bent to allow any condensation to collect rather than drip onto the ceiling/floor.

I said as straight as possible.

This is taking into account that you have to run a bend (from a 90 to a gradual) off the exhaust port of the fan itself at some stage if you're going through the roof.

If for whatever reason you're going through the side of the house why on earth would you want to create a bend (p trap) to collect water. Surely over the course of the winter you're going to have build up and resisted air flow or even completely restrict it.

Any fan manufacturer suggests as short and straight as possible.

I have never ever heard of this water collection bend. Seriously, I'd appreciate a few links.

Jedi Ninja · 10-03-2011, 11:07 PM

Spray/spritz it down with a strong bleach formula. Protect clothing and towels from any overspray. Wipe any overspray off of the wall as well. Let it dry. It may take a couple of treatments. You should be able to get rid of most of the stain that way. Then watch for recurrence and note any pattern. On warm breaks in the winter, you may want to touch-test the area to see if it is moist (the stain takes a while to develop after the actual moisture gets in.) Same with heavy rains in the spring/summer.

Bindair Dundat · 10-04-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bagor

I said as straight as possible.

This is taking into account that you have to run a bend (from a 90 to a gradual) off the exhaust port of the fan itself at some stage if you're going through the roof.

If for whatever reason you're going through the side of the house why on earth would you want to create a bend (p trap) to collect water. Surely over the course of the winter you're going to have build up and resisted air flow or even completely restrict it.

Any fan manufacturer suggests as short and straight as possible.

I have never ever heard of this water collection bend. Seriously, I'd appreciate a few links.

I would too...

I've been R & R ing ventiliation devices for 20 odd years and this "trap" malarkey is simply not correct. Insulate them properly and allow for the best possible airflow rate through the ridgid pipe (flex is crapola).

If this is done, there will be no condensation...period.

Or maybe 20 years worth of customers are all concurrently taking pity on me, when water drips from their fans in the winter?

I have never had a call back WRT this issue.

BTW? I insulate all the ventilation ducting I install myself, wrapping it in 6 mil poly (on the warm side, i.e. tight to the pipe itself), then wrapping R-12 batt insulation around that, secured with baling wire. The "premade" crap they sell (while "technically" meeting code), is NFG for our climate...I mean the vapor barrier is on the wrong freaking side...just for starters

.

Do it right, do it once.

Nuff Said.

To the OP: "Who could fix this?"

I could...but I'm up in St. Albert, and I don't think you'd much like my quote...lol!

4X4 · 10-04-2011, 03:24 PM

I encountered a similar problem once. It turned out that the ventilation pipe from the fan to the gooseneck had gotten disconnected right on the other side of the fan, so basically, the bathroom fan was taking that warm, moist air, and simply blowing it into the attic. In the winter, it caused a bunch of ice buildup in the attic, and then during a chinook, the ice started to melt, and water started dripping from a low point.

The reason the vent duct came disconnected is unclear, but the reason it went undetected when I simply poked my head in the attic and looked around, was because the blown in insulation concealed the disconnect.

The best advice so far in this thread is to grab a good flashlight and go up in the attic and look around. Bring a dustpan or something to scoop around the insulation, and keep your feet on the trusses. You might luck out and figure out the problem by yourself, and duct tape might actually be the answer.

Bindair Dundat · 10-04-2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

I encountered a similar problem once. It turned out that the ventilation pipe from the fan to the gooseneck had gotten disconnected right on the other side of the fan, so basically, the bathroom fan was taking that warm, moist air, and simply blowing it into the attic. In the winter, it caused a bunch of ice buildup in the attic, and then during a chinook, the ice started to melt, and water started dripping from a low point.

The reason the vent duct came disconnected is unclear, but the reason it went undetected when I simply poked my head in the attic and looked around, was because the blown in insulation concealed the disconnect.

The best advice so far in this thread is to grab a good flashlight and go up in the attic and look around. Bring a dustpan or something to scoop around the insulation, and keep your feet on the trusses. You might luck out and figure out the problem by yourself, and duct tape might actually be the answer.

This is certainly the most likely culprit...and the first thing I would look for. It should be very obvious, as the warm air will not condense until it hits the "cold side" of the loose fill (assuming it is blown in). There would likely be a hard "puck" of coagulated insulation in the area.

A duct pipe that has developed sufficient backpressure to break this joint, indicates that there might be something else going on though...Just my opinion. Perhaps an ice dam from poor insulation (or a "drip trap"...

)?