The Home Improvement Thread - Page 78 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Wormius · 09-29-2017, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speede5

That doesn't look bad at all, with it going straight up condensation will run straight back into the fan, but it shouldn't be a huge issue. In the winter the moisture could be freezing on the vent and accumulating.

There shouldn't be any blockages in there, it's large diameter. I replaced a fan and vent for a client that was one solid birdnest once. lol

The bathroom fan that seems to leak the worst is the one with the tallest vertical run, but at the same time, we hardly use that bathroom for showers or baths, subsequently we rarely run that fan.

I was hoping there would be something definitive when I went up there to look. The only thing I can think of is wind driven snow coming in off the roof. I could try pulling the ductwork apart and see if there is any kind of flapper on the roof vent to keep the snow from coming in.

Any thoughts on other diagnostic tests I can do?

speede5 · 09-29-2017, 10:06 PM

The longer the pipe the colder it will be near the roof so the more condensation you could get when in use. But like you said you don't use it much. There should be a flapper on the fan and another at the roof vent.

Those flappers aren't very robust so it's quite possible you are getting snow blown in.

Wormius · 09-29-2017, 10:46 PM

Is snow getting blown in a common thing around here?

My other thought - if the snow is getting blown in, it should melt right away, not just when the weather outside warm up?

Cube Inmate · 10-01-2017, 10:49 PM

Is anyone itching to recommend a company for supply & install of several windows in a 1980s Calgary house? I might do one small window myself, but not this job. I don't have a good feeling for reasonable pricing, so I'll reply heavily on reputable reviews to know whether or not I'm dealing with a fair supplier.

I looked around the forum for info on windows, but for some reason as bunch of computer threads popped up

Thanks

speede5 · 10-02-2017, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wormius

Is snow getting blown in a common thing around here?

My other thought - if the snow is getting blown in, it should melt right away, not just when the weather outside warm up?

Well I'm in Moose Jaw so I can't comment on Calgary, but unless you have some unique feature that funnels snow towards a vent I'd say it's a bit of a longshot. We get some nice dry snow that blows around and like to collect on outcroppings and things like that, so it's not out of the realm of possiblity.

Ducay · 10-02-2017, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cube Inmate

Is anyone itching to recommend a company for supply & install of several windows in a 1980s Calgary house? I might do one small window myself, but not this job. I don't have a good feeling for reasonable pricing, so I'll reply heavily on reputable reviews to know whether or not I'm dealing with a fair supplier.

I looked around the forum for info on windows, but for some reason as bunch of computer threads popped up

Thanks

Had nearly 20 windows and 3 doors done through Gienow (owned by PlyGem who makes the windows). Very happy with them. Pricing will be grotesque whoever you go with. Budget $600 for a standard 3x3 bedroom window and $8-900 for big ones incl installation.

Like anything, there is a huge variation in cost based on what options you go with.

Wormius · 10-02-2017, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speede5

Well I'm in Moose Jaw so I can't comment on Calgary, but unless you have some unique feature that funnels snow towards a vent I'd say it's a bit of a longshot. We get some nice dry snow that blows around and like to collect on outcroppings and things like that, so it's not out of the realm of possiblity.

Do you think adding an extra bit of length to the horizontal run before it goes to the roof might help? If its condensation or snow then it would have somewhere to pool and evaporate over time rather than dripping down and staining the ceiling, or would that just be asking for trouble?

speede5 · 10-02-2017, 07:08 PM

I was thinking about that but hesitated to suggest it as you could end up with a bigger problem. Best to stop the ingress.

You can remove the duct from the roof vent and check it from the inside.

If you had to redesign anything I would try and send those ducts over to a gable end and vent them out the wall. Your first picture suggests to me this could be an option.

Wormius · 10-02-2017, 08:09 PM

Today in Calgary might be a good troubleshooting day. Blowing snow, freezing, and thawing. Hopefully can see if anything is going on in the ducts.

Wormius · 10-03-2017, 09:07 PM

Ugh. We took the fan out of the box and noted that the flapper door was definitely open, but not sure if that was really the cause of anything yet. The duct where it goes into the fan was pretty gross. Not sure if mold or 25 years of dust or both. I guess I should replace that.

Spoiler!

Fuzz · 10-03-2017, 09:17 PM

Watch out for Mynock.

Wormius · 10-03-2017, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Watch out for Mynock.

speede5 · 10-04-2017, 07:38 AM

Ya that's pretty typical. might as well replace. Doesn't really look like it's been wet though.

OMG!WTF! · 10-04-2017, 08:45 AM

So I built a deck...

A big deck with benches and stupid planters...

Home Depot sold my friend a bunch of material including about 25 2x8x16's

She didn't really have a drawing or anything so I put together a 16x16 front deck that wraps around to a 10x32 side deck. I was suspicious of the 16 foot 2x8's so i put them on 12 centers for the front part of the deck. So it's basically 16x16 on 12 inch centers. Now that it's done it's kind of bouncy. I'm sure I needed at least 2x10 and likely 2x12 for such a span. Is there anything I can do to solidify the thing now? Like put a beam across the middle or something? It's attached to a mobile home so it's already a million times more solid than any other structure in the park. It's pretty much the Taj Madeck of this park.

topfiverecords · 10-04-2017, 11:14 AM

2x8 @ 12" O.C. will give you a deck joist clear span of 12'-6".

Wormius · 10-08-2017, 04:00 PM

So, not sure what to make of this. Looks kind of shoddy, but I don't know. Also there is no flap in the roof vent, just a screen. Also, the bathroom fan enclosure was wrapped up in vapor barrier in the attic. Is that normal?

Spoiler!

And what am I supposed to do with this? There's no collar. Should I call a roofer and get them to install new roof vents, or is there something that I can actually do with this from the inside of my attic?

Spoiler!

Ducay · 10-09-2017, 06:44 PM

Not sure what the problem is in those pictures. Looks standard to me

Sure the vapor barrier sounds weird, but you've got:
-Insulated metal exhaust duct (check)
-Hole in roof (check)
-Bird Screen (check)

Most roof vents are literally just holes in the roof with the angled cap on top. No flaps no nothing, just a screen. The damper to keep cold air out is generally at the fan itself. The exhaust vent just gets directed out that hole, but by no means is it usually any sort of "sealed" connection to the roof vent. Don't see any moisture issues on the plywood so roof connection looks A+.

My only guess would be either snow getting blown in, or the fact it is such a long vertical run that a decent amount of moisture is condensing/freezing on the sides and then melts when it warms up (weather wise or the next long hot shower).

Could try further insulating the ducts or adding a sort of drip catch (ie a longer horizontal run, or something almost like a drain P-trap).

Wormius · 10-09-2017, 11:27 PM

I don’t know. I guess comparing it to other videos and how-to guides. I was expecting a vent cap with a flapper and a collar o attach the ducting onto. Maybe even a circular cut hole for a tighter fit with the duct work.

Anyway, I installed the new bathroom fan, picked up the one from Costco. Much quieter.

OMG!WTF! · 10-09-2017, 11:49 PM

The vapour barrier on the fan is normal in a cold space attic. It ties into the vapour barrier that should already be there creating a continuous barrier. You can buy a prefab vapour hat to go over top of the new fan.

speede5 · 10-10-2017, 07:38 AM

Echo most of the above. It would be nice to have a damper at the vent but thats probably not your problem.

Vapour barrier should be installed around the fan as it should be on the warm side. Make sure it and all the ducting coming off is well capsulated by the insulation. One of the first pics you posted showed the insulation was a bit patchy but I assumed you mad moved it around while investigating. If the body of the fan is exposed to the attic air it will be cold and be a place for condensation.

While those openings aren't pretty they are typical. No staining on the sheeting so probably not a point of ingress.