Is it better to vent through roof or soffit?

Author: Eric Stark  |  Last update: Thursday, June 16, 2022

Whether it's new construction or a remodel, a bathroom vent should always vent through the roof instead of an eave, overhang, or soffit. The point of a bathroom exhaust vent, or any vent really, is to remove hot, moist air from the house.

Is it OK to vent exhaust fan through soffit?

To clear out any confusion, soffit is the underside area of the roof overhang or eave. It is possible to vent your bathroom fan through the soffit and avoid making a hole in the roof. Usually, a hole in the roof may lead to leaks and other problems.

Is it OK to vent bathroom fan into soffit?

Exhaust shall terminate not less than 3 feet in any direction from openings into buildings. Exhaust duct terminations shall be equipped with a backdraft damper.” In a nutshell the inspector said that a bathroom or dryer vent since both are exhausting moist air can NOT be vented into a soffit per the code.

Is soffit venting enough?

Roof Intake Vents With Soffits

Blocked soffit vents are as useful as having no soffit vents at all because they prevent fresh air from freely flowing into the attic.

Should a bathroom fan be vented through the roof?

Vent your bath and kitchen exhaust fans through the roof through a special roof hood. Venting through a roof vent or exhausting them in the attic could cause moisture problems and rot.

Attic Ventilation | Roofing Mythbusters Series - Episode #3 | Skywalker Roofing Company

Is it better to vent bathroom fan through roof or soffit?

Whether it's new construction or a remodel, a bathroom vent should always vent through the roof instead of an eave, overhang, or soffit. The point of a bathroom exhaust vent, or any vent really, is to remove hot, moist air from the house.

Is it better to vent bathroom fan through wall or roof?

The fan exhaust must vent directly to the exterior of the home. Do not put the vent termination in a roof overhang or soffit. Don't put it on a wall near or under a roof overhang. The moist air that's belched out by the fan can be sucked right up into the open soffit vents and be drawn into your attic.

Can I have too much soffit venting?

You can't have too much soffit venting, but it's worth noting the minimum requirements. Usually, 4-in. by 16-in. soffit vents are rated for 26 sq.

Are vented soffits necessary?

So, does my roof need soffit vents? A roof may need soffit vents if there is no other ventilation allowing for adequate air movement. However, if the attic space is properly sealed and insulated, there is no need for this type of ventilation. There is no question that a standard attic space should be vented.

Should all soffits be vented?

Soffit can be non-vented or vented to allow for maximum roof ventilation. Non-vented or continuous soffit works best when your roof has narrow eaves or if you need to ventilate a large amount of attic space.

How do you vent a bathroom with no outside access?

Installing a ceiling vent is probably the most efficient way to ventilate a bathroom with no outside access. A ceiling vent is a unique machine that allows air to escape from the bathroom. In other words, it's a machine that, like an open window, allows moisture to escape from your bathroom.

Do exhaust fans need to be vented outside?

Venting to the Outside is Typically Considered Mandatory

One of the main ones is that it brings too much moisture into a space that is meant to be dry. This can get mold started in the insulation, rot roof timbers, and otherwise cause serious problems.

What is code for venting a bathroom fan?

Section R303.

When this section is adopted by a community, it essentially says that, for venting purposes, bathrooms must have windows that open. The code reads that the window must have "aggregate glazing area...of not less than 3 square feet (0.3 m2), one-half of which must be openable."

Is it OK to vent a bathroom into the attic?

No, you cannot vent your bathroom exhaust fan into the attic. You should never exhaust the bathroom fan directly into the attic. Your attic is not a temperature-controlled environment, is never the same temperature as your living space and generally closer to the temperature outside.

Should bathroom vents into attic?

No, you should not vent a bathroom fan directly into an attic. The problem with venting into the attic is that the moisture-rich air may form droplets on the wood sheathing, insulation, rafters, and ceiling joists, leading to mold growth.

Is it OK to exhaust into attic?

The Code of Bathroom Exhaust Fans

– The air removed by every mechanical exhaust system shall be discharged to the outdoors. – Air shall not be exhausted into an attic (except whole house ventilation), soffit, ridge vent or crawl space.

When should you use vented soffit?

The primary reason for installing vented soffit is to ensure that your home has proper air circulation in the attic. While it may seem contrary, having proper ventilation actually prevents issues related to moisture build-up and increased energy costs.

How often do you need soffit vents?

How much do I need? The long answer on this varies based on a simple formula – you need 1 SF for every 150 which is to be split equally from the ridge to the soffit. For a typical gable style roof you can then divide that answer in two and you have the “net free area” of ventilation required per side.

Will soffit vents stop condensation?

There are various eaves vents that can be installed to help reduce condensation in the eaves section of the roof. Soffit vents and fascia strips can both be installed to both new and existing roof-line boards. These can be used in conjunction with other types of ventilation or as a stand alone product.

How many soffit vents should a house have?

If you're installing soffits on your roof, you'll need anywhere from 6 to 28 soffits total, depending on the size of your attic vent space. Your soffits' spacing is important, and careful planning should be done before making any changes to your current ventilation system.

Can you over ventilate a roof?

It's possible to have too much exhaust ventilation, but you cannot have too much intake ventilation. If there is more intake ventilation than the attic's square footage requires, it's not problematic because any excess intake converts to “exhaust” on the leeward side of the house.

What is the hottest temperature your attic should get?

Hot air becomes trapped between the attic insulation and the roof without proper ventilation. Ideally, your attic should not exceed 130 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer. Problems related to attics hotter than 130 degrees: It will make it harder to cool your home in the summer.

Does plumbing vent have to go through roof?

The answer is, no, plumbing vents do not have to go through the roof. While roof stacks are the most common form of plumbing vents, you can run a plumbing vent through an exterior wall. The stipulation is that the plumbing vent has to run higher than the highest window of the house.

Can you vent a bathroom fan through side of house?

In general: Yes.

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