Bathroom/Shower extractor fan not working

[hyindyboy]

2021 we had the bathroom refurbd complete with new floor, wall tiles, shower etc etc. by High street store, subcontracted to a local trades person.
The fan a Vent-Axia 446659B vasf 100t, used as a manual on/off not timer, vented to the roof eaves.
The fan was ceiling fitted above the shower cubicle/outside cubicle. Zone 1.
Checked the supply to the fan ok, but found the fan internally totally saturated with pools of water within its covers and the circuit board corroded.

Is this normal for a extractor fan or because its used as a manual on/off.

 

[Jurassicspark]

Send a picture. You might be able to clean the circuit board and get it back to life. If it's actually that bad then you'll need a new extractor fan.

Is this normal for a extractor fan or because its used as a manual on/off.

If you created a lot of steam and humidity with the fan always turned off then that will explain why.

 

[mattylad]

WHen you say "vented to the roof eaves" do you meaninside the loft or out via the eaves?
Either way, it should be vented outside and not into the loft.
If it's vented into the loft and the pipe covered up with insulation then that may explain why the water inside it.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Checked the supply to the fan ok, but found the fan internally totally saturated with pools of water within its covers and the circuit board corroded.

Is this normal for a extractor fan or because its used as a manual on/off.

No, that is bad installation. What has happened, is that moisture has condensed in the duct, and the layout of the duct, plus lack of insulation, has caused the moisture to condense in the duct. The condensed water, has then run back down the duct, and into the fan.

The better layout, is straight out, through the wall, with the duct slightly inclined down to the outside, so condensation runs out.

 

[hyindyboy]

Thanks,
The flexi pipe goes up into the loft across to the soffit and exits through a grille.
Checked the flexi and it lies uncovered across the loft and drops down to the soffit outlet as its lower than the loft floor..
Would it help as I have a spare roll of insul/material to lay a covering over the flexi pipe to insulate as I have a 200mm layer laid across loft plus 2 large roof vents. So the temp is same as outside.
Image shows the vent-axia fan condition

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Checked the flexi and it lies uncovered across the loft and drops down to the soffit outlet as its lower than the loft floor..
Would it help as I have a spare roll of insul/material to lay a covering over the flexi pipe to insulate as I have a 200mm layer laid across loft plus 2 large roof vents. So the temp is same as outside.
Image shows the vent-axia fan condition

It will help, but usually they fit an inline fan, for loft installations. That one is intended to be a wall-mount type. Keeping the duct warm will help, but you need to find some way to prevent condensation running back down into the fan - something like this.. https://www.toolstation.com/extract...ngfeed&mkwid=_dc&pcrid=null&pkw=null&pmt=null

You best way forward, is an inline fan, with a condensation trap, just fit a grill in place of the existing fan, with an automatic shutter.

That fan, is a timer run on fan. Who ever installed it, botched it, to only run when the light was actually on. The condition of the fan, suggests much older than 2021.

 

[hyindyboy]

As we have a separate pull cord switch with an indicator light for the extractor fan would I need a timer type fan, as we have a gravity type shower from a hot water cylinder. Using the pull cord switch, can the timer be used as long as the switch is left on ?

With the condensation trap, can this be fitted directly above the ceiling grill using either a ' Manrose SCF200T or Xpelair Airline All100T'.

Again the high street store, planned the installation as we have stepped down ceiling limiting the our cubicle height and size, then the subcontract plumber by the store installed it all. The fan definitely fitted new April 2021 with 4 showers daily.

 

[omph]

Is there sufficient air flow ?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

As we have a separate pull cord switch with an indicator light for the extractor fan would I need a timer type fan, as we have a gravity type shower from a hot water cylinder. Using the pull cord switch, can the timer be used as long as the switch is left on ?

No, for a timer, triggered to run on, by the light switch, it would need neutral, switched live from the light/or switch, and a permanent live.

You could get away with just a permanent live, if you included a PIR.

With the condensation trap, can this be fitted directly above the ceiling grill using either a ' Manrose SCF200T or Xpelair Airline All100T'.

I don't know what fits what, but the condensate trap, would need to be able to drain to somewhere, via a small pipe.

Again the high street store, planned the installation as we have stepped down ceiling limiting the our cubicle height and size, then the subcontract plumber by the store installed it all. The fan definitely fitted new April 2021 with 4 showers daily.

Worth having a word with the shop, because it was an obviously botched job.

 

[hyindyboy]

Worth having a word with the shop, because it was an obviously botched job.

Waste of time, shortly after when the new suite was installed and running. We had a water leak from the mixer valve damaging the new composite type flooring as recommended by them, although they would only replace as existing flooring. Contacted Head Office/CEO, eventually managed to have proper ceramic tiles supplied and fitted as we wanted in first place.
Second issue, where the subd installer messed about in the loft for the fan. He disturbed a pipe from the cold water tank and caused damage to the landing ceiling and ceiling lamp filled with water. Head Office would not accept for the repair or materials.

Accessing the loft today, can see what has or is causing the fan problem. The duct comes up from the fan and then drops into a valley and back up to go over the 200mm insulation dropping down to the outlet vent, also the vapour film covering on the ceiling plaster board is wet from I assume from condensation, hence the fan filling and corroded.

Don't think now after nearly 4 yrs they would accept a claim when the didn't with the ceiling.

Think of going for a Xpelair AL100T ??

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Think of going for a Xpelair AL100T ??

Cannot help you there, I'll leave it to the guy's with experience of them.

The bathroom fitters, sound like typical cowboys.

 

[hyindyboy]

Reading and viewing various clips on YT etc.

Finally decide on a Manrose inline with timer - MF100T fan

 

[drives]

Reading and viewing various clips on YT etc.

Finally decide on a Manrose inline with timer - MF100T fan

I've fitted one of those recently. No complaints.

 

[utterlydiy]

Last question for 2024.

As said earlier the hose from the existing fan, it raised from the fan then dropped into a valley then back up over the insulation down to its exit vent in the soffit.
I’ve laid loft boards to access across the loft to install the inline fan. Because of the hose in the valley, there was a mug full of water trapped.
Should the new fan be near the bathroom vent and at its highest not to allow condensation to collect again at either side and if any condensation drains to the soffit vent.

Happy New Year all

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

And, a Happy New Year from him..

I've never fitted one, but logically. I would have it rise up from the vent and condensate trap, just as short a distance and possible, which still allows a fall at each side, from the inline fan. That will minimise the amount of condensate, falling back towards the trap. From the fan, to the discharge, it needs to be straight, but inclined down, to the discharge - no dips, so maybe support or a floorboard or similar. You will need the condensate pipe, to likewise, gradually incline to where is can discharge.