Bathroom exhaust fan preventative maintenance | Rehboth, MA

8/14/2020 (Permalink)

You should clean your bathroom exhaust fan at least twice a year to remove any build up.

While your bathroom exhaust fan is great to prevent foggy mirrors and windows, reduce odors, and prevent a muggy room, they can be a major fire hazard!

Just like a regular fan, the exhaust fan can get clogged with dust and debris, causing lint. This lint can block  the fans ignition, causing a fire. Just how a dryer fire starts. Lint is a great fire starter, but not one you will want to use in your house.

To prevent bathroom exhaust fan fires you can

• Clean and inspect the fan/s regularly
• Turn the fan off when you don’t need it (showering, airing the room out…)

If you notice your fan has any visible damage, do not turn it on, it must be replaced before you use it again.

Inspecting your exhaust fan

Typically, you will just automatically be able to see or hear if there is a problem. You can see discoloration, dust, weird sounds, slow start up of the fan.

If you notice odd sounds when you flip the fan switch, such as scraping, this could mean the motor is in need of replacement. If you continue to operate the fan with an old motor, this can lead to overheating and eventually a fire. Which you do not want!

Due to a fans nature, you won’t really be able to smell a problem. If you have a feeling or see other signs of possible damage, it’s best to inspect or hire a professional, licensed electrician to take a look.

 Cleaning your bathroom exhaust fan 

Cleaning your bathroom exhaust fan regularly can prevent and help you recognize any damage before it’s too late.

Twice a year,  remove the cover for your fan, wash it with warm soapy water and let dry. You can use bleach to clean it, but soap and water will do just fine, too!

Check the ductwork behind the exhaust fan, this may require you to take the fan off, but removing the fan once a month is a heck of a lot better than having to deal with a fire, we think!

Install LED lightbulbs. This can save you on energy costs, and decrease the heat being thrown off by the bulb

If you have any concerns about your exhaust fan, it would be best to call a licensed electrician to come check it out!

If you experience a fire due to your bathroom exhaust fan, or any other reason, give SERVPRO of the Attleboros a call, we’re here to help!

508-223-0505