Exhaust fan

[~TT40~]

Ok...I feel like a moron... But the fan in our bathroom doesn't work. It hasn't for a while, but keeps getting bumped down the list for other things. When I say it doesn't work, I mean, it turns on etc... It just doesn't clear the steam, it use to I'm sure. But now the bathroom is always steamy after a shower, and there is obvious moisture problems cause we are getting mould...
So, today I finally Sussed it out to see why, this is where the moron bit comes into it... I figured hey maybe it needs cleaning, but there was nothing to clean. I too the case off, and it is just a hole in the roof with a fan, isn't there mean to be a duct? Or something?? Or is that all exhaust fans are???
And if that is it, why isn't it doing what it should do now when it use to?
Please be gentle with my knowing nothing =p

[LimeSlice]

Not all exhaust fans are ducted, no. We had to pay extra when we built the house to have them ducted - otherwise they are just as you describe.

Does the fan actually spin when you turn it on? The motor may have died. You can buy new units at Bunnings, they aren't expensive.

[peanutter]

Ours just go into our roof.

Give the cover a good scrub, give the blades a wipe, and try again.

If still nothing, watch it while it runs (with the cover off) - is it going good and strong? If not, replace the motor.

[Rivlas]

They are usually just in the ceiling with the air going into the roof.

Have a look and see what the electrical set up is like. Ours just plugs into a powerpoint in the roof. If you have this setup then it is easy to replace.
They cost just under $30 from Bunnings

[little_O]

Apparently it is super common for them to just die. As a pp mentioned, give the blades etc a good scrub because if you get build up the motor can stop. Otherwise you might just need a new one.

[~TT40~]

Thanks girls, it still goes when I turn it on. I gave the blades a wipe and washed the cover. Will see how it goes when we have our showers tonight