How can I wire a bathroom exhaust fan without causing damage to the wall?
Asked by Carter Reed 
2 weeks ago
Last Updated: May 8, 2024
I’m in the process of installing a bathroom exhaust vent. I’ve located the joists and decided where I want the fan to go, and I’ve got the duct work sorted out. I even installed the switch as shown in the video. However, I could use some guidance on the wiring. I think I need to run a 14/2 line to the switch electrical box, but I want to make sure I do it in a way that minimizes damage to the wall. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Cut a hole in your ceiling fan, cut a hole in the wall and ceiling above the switch, and run the wire through that way. You’ll need to patch up a few holes, but it shouldn’t be too difficult. The trickiest part will be matching your popcorn ceiling 😬
So, there are no ceiling lights at all?
No, the light is actually above the mirror and attached to the wall, not the ceiling.
Okay, so what you’ll need to do is follow the advice of the other person and cut a hole in the ceiling. Depending on how the joists run, you might be able to get away with a small 6×6 hole at the top of the wall and ceiling to run the wire. Just make sure you can access the outside wall to run the vent. It should be pretty straightforward, except for matching the texture of the walls and ceilings.
You can avoid cutting a hole above the switch or the ceiling. If you check the attic, you might spot where the wire to the existing switch is located. If all else fails, tapping on the drywall can help you locate the header. Drill a 3/4-inch hole for the 14/2 wire and pull it down to the electrical box. It would be really helpful to see some pictures of the attic and the meeting point of the wall and ceiling. If you need to drill, use a spade bit and remember that you’ll be going through two 2x4s. However, drilling blindly can be risky, so it’s best to have someone experienced assist you. In case you have to cut a hole, aim for 4 inches below the ceiling on the wall above the switch to expose the 2x4s for drilling. Before drilling, double-check the attic to ensure there are no cables in the way. If you end up cutting a hole in the wall, fishing the wire to the switch will be straightforward.
Is it a loft or just the second floor? If it’s a loft, it should be easy to access. Most likely, the wire going to that switch is already running down a hole, so you can use the same hole or drill a new one in the same path to feed the wire through. If it’s not a loft, you might have to open up some drywall where the wall meets the ceiling to make the connection. Do you know which way the ceiling joists are running?
Hey , since it’s an attic, I’ve already been up there. I haven’t located the wires yet, but I have a pretty good idea of where they might be. I’m thinking of sticking a coat hanger through the ceiling close to the switch to help me pinpoint the area
Hey , it seems like you’ve already inserted something where you plan to install the fan. If you can locate that and check around that spot, you might come across flat 2x4s or two by sixes, depending on the construction, with holes drilled and wires running through. You can manage this without having to create new holes in your ceiling or wall. You might just require an electrical snake to go up through the box or down through the ceiling.
Hey everyone, just wanted to thank you all for the advice. I finally finished up the job today. What I ended up doing was sticking a wire hanger through the ceiling between the outlet and the switch. I found it and also located the electrical wires leading to the bathroom. I then threaded a wire fish line through it and managed to see it just above the switch box. I then made a small hole – about 1/2 inch up and 2.5 inches across. After that, I pulled the line back up, attached a long 12-gauge cable I had to it, and used pliers and a magnet at the switch box to grab it. I taped it to the wire fish line and pulled it back through to the attic. From there, I secured my 14/2 cable to the line, taped it up, and pulled it back down through the switch box.