Had a similar issue in a building I manage—tenants kept complaining about moisture buildup even though the fans were technically working. Turns out the ducting was poorly routed and kinked, so airflow was minimal. Makes me skeptical about how thoroughly ventilation gets checked during inspections, honestly. Wonder if builders are cutting corners on ductwork since it's hidden behind walls and ceilings... Has anyone checked their ducting after noticing fan issues?
Yeah, you're definitely onto something there. I've seen plenty of cases where ductwork looks fine at first glance, but once you dig deeper, it's a mess—kinks, sharp bends, even disconnected sections. Inspectors usually check if the fan runs and maybe airflow at the vent, but detailed duct routing often gets overlooked since it's hidden away. Good catch on your part... it's always worth taking a closer look behind the scenes when moisture issues pop up.
You're spot on about inspectors usually just checking airflow at the vent. Had one property where tenants kept complaining about humidity and mold, but the fan was humming along fine. Turns out, the duct was routed straight into an attic corner—no outside venting at all. Basically, we were just blowing moist air around in circles... genius, right? Definitely pays to poke your head into those hidden spots every now and then.
"Turns out, the duct was routed straight into an attic corner—no outside venting at all."
That's a surprisingly common oversight, actually. I've encountered similar issues myself when renovating older homes. Even in new builds, it's easy for contractors to overlook proper duct termination, especially if they're rushing to meet deadlines. One thing I've found helpful is to periodically check the attic or crawl spaces with a flashlight and trace the ductwork visually. Another useful tip is to run the fan and then step outside to confirm airflow at the exterior vent—sometimes the vent flap gets stuck closed or blocked by insulation or debris. Also, consider installing insulated ducts to minimize condensation buildup inside the duct itself, which can further reduce mold risks. It's a bit of extra effort, but catching these issues early can save you from bigger headaches down the road.
Good points there. A few things I've noticed from storm damage inspections:
- Contractors often miss proper venting after roof repairs—seen ducts literally blowing air into insulation piles.
- Check your attic after heavy storms... moisture buildup from improper venting can lead to mold surprisingly fast.
- Insulated ducts help, but make sure they're properly sealed too. I've seen insulated ducts dripping condensation because someone skipped sealing joints.
It's always the little stuff that ends up biting you later, right?
