Selman Home Inspection Company Blog On ActiveRain

Home Inspection Maintenance Tips - Mechanical Exhaust Vents

Before about 2005, many home builders vented mechanical exhaust vents such as bathroom and utility room vents directly into the attic space. This was an accepted practice for many years. 

Experience and advances in home building have taught home builders that the old practice of venting mechanical vents into the attic space sends the moist, humid air from these areas directly into the attic. Adding moisture to the attic space is now known to create problems over time such as damaged insulation and moisture damaged roof decking not to mention the impacts to a homes efficiency.

In addition, I have inspected many homes were the dryer vent was vented directly into the attic space. So along with moisture, dryer lint (which is highly flammable) was also being added to the attic space.

Today, all mechanical exhaust vents should be vented to the exterior of every home. In most cases, this is not a difficult task to do or have done by a professional. With the availability of flexible vent line materials, it is easier than ever to connect to existing vent ducts and direct them to the exterior of the structure. In many retrofit situations, vent line extensions can be added to allow the vent to reach a soffit vent. In other cases, new vent adapters can be easily installed through the roof deck.

 As a home inspector, I encourage you to check your home or have it checked by a professional to see whether or not the mechanical vents in your home are venting to the exterior either to a soffit, through a wall or through the roof covering. Correcting any errors will improve your homes efficiency, remove potential moisture problems and possibly improve the fire safety. Along with the improvement benefits, when you are ready to sell your home, you can make this one less item noted in the inspection report. The fewer items that are in an inspection report may well improve how soon your home sells.