Ask This Old House

Installing a Bathroom Fan

Kevin and electrician Brian Bergeron helped a homeowner install a new fan in her bathroom. The fan exhausts the humid air created by the shower to the outside of the house. Brian determined that the easiest way to power the fan was to use the electricity from an existing light switch. With the power shut off, he disconnected the light switch. Next, he enlarged the hole in the wall so he could make the existing electrical box bigger to accommodate a separate switch for the fan. Up in the attic, Brian and Kevin drilled a hole through the top of the wall and "fished" new wire for the fan down to the switch box. Downstairs, Brian connected the wire to the new fan switch, which has a built-in timer. Next, Brian cut a hole in the ceiling between two joists and fastened the fan in place. Then, he connected the new wire to the junction box on the fan. Finally, he cut a hole through an exterior wall and installed a louvered vent on the outside. He then installed flexible ducting between the fan and the wall. Later, up in the loft, Tom recommended that for colder climates, it's a good idea to use insulated ducting to prevent condensation inside the duct.

Where to find it?

Electrician: Brian Bergeron
Bergeron Electric
103 Summer Ave.
Reading, MA 01867
(781) 758-4949

Brian installed a new bathroom fan manufactured by:

Panasonic
(866) 292-7292

Brian also installed an electronic timer to control the fan.

Electronic Auto-off Timer (model #EI210WD89)
Manufacturer: Intermatic, Inc.
(815) 675-7000

Insulated flexible ducts and separate duct insulation can be purchased at your local home center.

What is it?

The guys try to guess the intended purpose of an unusual-looking product.

Where to find it?

Kevin showed a device used to alert a homeowner when the bathtub has filled with enough water.

Hydroduck Bathtub Level Alarm

Organic Lawn Care

Roger helped a pair of homeowners improve their lawn using organic materials. He started by examining the results of a soil test, which identified the nutrients the lawn needed. Instead of feeding the grass directly, like many synthetic fertilizers do, organic products are designed to improve the quality of the soil itself. Because parts of the existing lawn were thin and bare, Roger first mowed the grass very short and used a power "core aerator" to open up the soil to air, water and nutrients. Next, he top-dressed the entire lawn with compost, which is made of organic matter like decomposed lawn clippings and leaves. After raking in the compost, Roger added pelletized limestone to reduce the acidity of the soil. Finally, Roger added a slow-release type of fertilizer that is made up primarily of chicken manure.

Where to find it?

Roger obtained a soil test prior to performing work on the lawn.

Soil & Plant Tissue Testing Lab
West Experiment Station
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
(413) 545-2311

Roger used lawn fertilizer that has chicken manure as the primary ingredient.

Cockadoodle DOO
Manufacturer: Pure Barnyard, Inc.
(877) 873-6742

Roger used grass seed enhanced with Endophytes, which is a fungus that lives inside the grass and prevents some insect infestations. Several companies make grass seed containing endophytes, including...

Jonathan Green

North Country Organics

Pelletized limestone is available at any home or garden center.

Compost is available at some garden stores and professional landscaping supply centers. Many towns also have a "compost center" and give compost away for free to residents.