Extractor fan

[shadowmoses]

Hi everyone - newbie first timer so please forgive my stupidity! (Hope the pics make sense)

Noticed a few weeks go, brown water on the bathroom ceiling around the fan, which I could just wipe off.

My wife had a long bath last night, and then this morning after a shower I looked up and saw this new brown stain all around the fan.

From a lot of reading today, it is most likely condensation of steam going into the fan and then dripping back down collecting rust / dirt along the way and then presumably has sprayed the brown water when the fan was switched on this morning. (The fan is always on as soon as the bathroom light is switched on)

I have been up into the attic and can't find any water / dampness. The fan seems to run straight into this big plastic pipe which leads out of the roof.

Is it just a case of the steam from last night's bath hitting the inside of the cold pipe with the pipe being cold in the attic?

I have stainblocker paint to repaint with, however I'm wary of painting it white, to then have more brown water appearing on it. The ceiling is dry, so I don't think it's a leak.

Anything I can do to try to stop this happening again?? All I can think is to make sure she runs the fan longer after a bath / long shower and maybe pad out the insulation around the pipe?

Thank you!

(Apologies - wasn't sure if this was one for plumbing, electrical or decorating!)

 

[shadowmoses]

This is a slightly more close up of where pipe goes through the attic floor into the bathroom ceiling

 

[CountryFan]

It could be condensation forming, looking at some online, they say a condensation trap needs to be fitted. Given the amount, I would be looking at the seal possibly being perished too where it meets the fan

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Yes a condensation trap will prevent it happening. Mandatory in new builds nowadays. It's also possible the fan is no longer performing as it should or was under powered to begin with so maybe check that too. You might find the fan is jammed up with cobwebs etc too so try and give the blades a clean.

 

[shadowmoses]

Great, thanks both.

Any idea on how big a job that is? Is it something that can be installed with the existing pipes etc or does it need any kind of major changes? Sounds like a job for a plumber?

Thanks again!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

General - Condensation Traps

If you’re looking at installing an extractor fan in your home and you plan on venting through the ceiling, there are a couple of things that will need to be taken into consideration.Firstly, you will need to work out where the fan will eventually vent to the...

www.extractorfanworld.co.uk

Bound to be a few youtube tutorials if you search.