Wall ehaust vent cover replace/repair

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Nov 7th, 2020 7:58 pm

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Nov 5th, 2020 5:29 pm

glenn8 [OP]: Newbie; Jun 10, 2007; 96 posts; 4 upvotes

Nov 5th, 2020 5:29 pm

Wall ehaust vent cover replace/repair

Hi I have a couple of wall vents that are in bad shape and need to be replaced or repaired. One goes to the range hood and other goes to a bathroom. The flaps are brittle and warped so they keep staying opened and one of them fell off from a strong gust a wind. There's also a smaller one that goes to the dryer and it too has warped flaps that stay opened.

I found something that looks like it at Rona. However before I go to buy new ones, does anyone have any recommendation of alternatives that won't be so flimsy? Maybe not plastic or at least better quality plastic.
Also any tips before I go replace them? Maybe I can just replace the "flaps" without having to rip the entire cover off.

Thanks in advance.

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14 replies

Nov 5th, 2020 6:05 pm

thriftshopper: Deal Fanatic; Jul 7, 2017; 7895 posts; 3754 upvotes; SW corner of the cou…

Nov 5th, 2020 6:05 pm

These things are not that simple to replace. It isn't just a cover but it is attached to a duct such as this

https://www.lowes.ca/product/dryer-part ... ood-317911

I am not sure if you can buy replacement covers. Replacement isn't too difficult but it may required work as you have moulding.

slightly better one wold be something like this one.
https://www.lowes.ca/product/dryer-part ... hood-34500

If that proves to difficult, you could try these
https://continentalfan.com/e-catalog/re ... t-dampers/

The bathroom fans in my house vent through the soffit so I used these dampers to keep cold air out.

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+1

Nov 5th, 2020 6:12 pm

glenn8 [OP]: Newbie; Jun 10, 2007; 96 posts; 4 upvotes

Nov 5th, 2020 6:12 pm

thriftshopper wrote: ↑ These things are not that simple to replace. It isn't just a cover but it is attached to a duct such as this

https://www.lowes.ca/product/dryer-part ... ood-317911

I am not sure if you can buy replacement covers. Replacement isn't too difficult but it may required work as you have moulding.

slightly better one wold be something like this one.
https://www.lowes.ca/product/dryer-part ... hood-34500

If that proves to difficult, you could try these
https://continentalfan.com/e-catalog/re ... t-dampers/

The bathroom fans in my house vent through the soffit so I used these dampers to keep cold air out.

Thanks for the advise I'll look into those. However would something like this not work?
https://www.rona.ca/en/boflex-vent-cap- ... 3d0a24060f

I was hoping I could just unscrew, replace, then caulk but maybe I should leave this to the professionals if it's a bigger job. I wouldn't want to end up with moisture issues.

Nov 5th, 2020 6:17 pm

thriftshopper: Deal Fanatic; Jul 7, 2017; 7895 posts; 3754 upvotes; SW corner of the cou…

Nov 5th, 2020 6:17 pm

That should be fine, assuming it is a direct fit. You may have to remove/reinstall/replace the moulding around your siding though.

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Nov 5th, 2020 8:09 pm

JEDI Force: Deal Addict; Feb 25, 2004; 1397 posts; 890 upvotes; Longueuil

Nov 5th, 2020 8:09 pm

I replaced an intake and it wasn't very difficult. In my case I simply had to unscrew the 4 corners, disconnect from the duct and replace it with a new one. However I didn't have any molding around it (it is on a brick wall). In my area, it would be very difficult to find someone for a job this small. Maybe some kijiji handyman but I don't think any company would be interested.

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+1

Nov 5th, 2020 9:38 pm

IcarusLSC: Deal Addict; Nov 7, 2016; 2456 posts; 1369 upvotes; Ontario

Nov 5th, 2020 9:38 pm

I'd try taking one off first or checking to see if its screwed to the duct or just into the wall (the four corners.) If its screwed to the ducting it'll be a pita to get it out unless you see the screw inside the duct.

You could possibly measure the flaps and see if they are the same size as new ones and just swap them maybe if that makes sense?

Last edited by IcarusLSC on Nov 6th, 2020 1:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Nov 5th, 2020 10:54 pm

GoodFellaz: Deal Fanatic; Jun 24, 2015; 6619 posts; 2067 upvotes; 0 downvotes

Nov 5th, 2020 10:54 pm

The exhaust vent has its own ring on the inside which connects to your inside duct work, i heard you have to join it together with screws and possibly even use duct tape, yes the foil kind of tape not the masking tape type to guarentee a proper seal no air leaks and that involves breaking the ceiling in your washroom or climbing into the attic. not a simple diy job as people hoped

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Nov 6th, 2020 6:55 pm

Samwfive: Deal Addict; Nov 21, 2007; 2955 posts; 932 upvotes; Scarborough

Nov 6th, 2020 6:55 pm

glenn8 wrote: ↑ .......

.....
Also any tips before I go replace them? Maybe I can just replace the "flaps" without having to rip the entire cover off.
...

THIS.
Go ahead and pick one up from Rona and just replace the broken flap or all the old ones. Very easy to do, just bend the piece slightly for the ends to enter the holes from each side. To change, esp. the bathroom one, may be challenging for the ducting may be toooo short.

P.S. You need to inspect/clean the dryer vent regularly of lint which is the cause of stopping the flaps from closing.

+1

Nov 6th, 2020 7:52 pm

IndyBeak: Deal Addict; Sep 13, 2016; 3327 posts; 2063 upvotes; Mississauga

Nov 6th, 2020 7:52 pm

Slightly related to OP. Can anyone please also point to a mesh type cover that can be installed on the exterior wall to prevent animals/ birds from chewing through these plastic flappers.

Nov 7th, 2020 11:24 am

gumby: Deal Addict; Sep 22, 2005; 3984 posts; 3170 upvotes; Ottawa

Nov 7th, 2020 11:24 am

IndyBeak wrote: ↑ Slightly related to OP. Can anyone please also point to a mesh type cover that can be installed on the exterior wall to prevent animals/ birds from chewing through these plastic flappers.

This anwers OP's issue with the missing flap too.
Since the plastic has become brittle over the years and will happen again when exposed to the extreme weather, I used something like this Anti Gust Hood to cover up all vent openings with flaps so I don't have to go through this again. There's no worry when the wind used to flip the flaps open and letting water in during a heavy rain or storm.
Use stainless steel screws so they won't rust.

This is for the 6"x6" or 8"x8" vent, I think 8"x8" because those are for my kitchen exhaust with a 6" duct.
https://www.prestonhardware.com/VT0052_ ... 956223.htm
They have different sizes too
https://www.imperialgroup.ca/product/ve ... d-aluminum

+1

Nov 7th, 2020 11:51 am

IndyBeak: Deal Addict; Sep 13, 2016; 3327 posts; 2063 upvotes; Mississauga

Nov 7th, 2020 11:51 am

gumby wrote: ↑Since the plastic has become brittle over the years and will happen again when exposed to the extreme weather, I used something like this Anti Gust Hood to cover up all vent openings with flaps so I don't have to go through this again. There's no worry when the wind used to flip the flaps open and letting water in during a heavy rain or storm.
This is for the 6"x6" or 8"x8" vent, I think 8"x8" because those are for my kitchen exhaust with a 6" duct.
https://www.prestonhardware.com/VT0052_ ... 956223.htm
They have different sizes too
https://www.imperialgroup.ca/product/ve ... d-aluminum

Can these be installed over/around the plastic vent without removing that? I am assuming so looking at the photos, but wanted to confirm. Also, if you install over the plastic vent cover, would you let the plastic flaps be in place or remove the flaps altogether,since this aluminium cover also has a one way flap.

+1

Nov 7th, 2020 12:13 pm

gumby: Deal Addict; Sep 22, 2005; 3984 posts; 3170 upvotes; Ottawa

Nov 7th, 2020 12:13 pm

IndyBeak wrote: ↑ Can these be installed over/around the plastic vent without removing that? I am assuming so looking at the photos, but wanted to confirm. Also, if you install over the plastic vent cover, would you let the plastic flaps be in place or remove the flaps altogether,since this aluminium cover also has a one way flap.

I bought the one larger than the existing vent overall dimensions, it's meant to be Installed over the existing vent. This cover has a fixed deflector (B), not a flap. I left the existing flaps in place but you can remove them. I use only 4 screws without any caulking so it can be removed easily. My use case is only a cover so there's no need for sealing.

+1

Nov 7th, 2020 12:59 pm

l69norm: Deal Expert; Jun 12, 2007; 17905 posts; 5848 upvotes; London

Nov 7th, 2020 12:59 pm

glenn8 wrote: ↑ Hi I have a couple of wall vents that are in bad shape and need to be replaced or repaired. One goes to the range hood and other goes to a bathroom. The flaps are brittle and warped so they keep staying opened and one of them fell off from a strong gust a wind. There's also a smaller one that goes to the dryer and it too has warped flaps that stay opened.

I found something that looks like it at Rona. However before I go to buy new ones, does anyone have any recommendation of alternatives that won't be so flimsy? Maybe not plastic or at least better quality plastic.
Also any tips before I go replace them? Maybe I can just replace the "flaps" without having to rip the entire cover off.

Thanks in advance.

The one big reason the vanes break off is birds looking for a place to nest.
If that's what has happened, replacing the cover will be the easy part. The hard part is removing the nest as it can be a fair ways into the house
New covers have a plastic grid inside to prevent birds and small rodents from getting in

Nov 7th, 2020 4:15 pm

JWL: Deal Guru; Nov 18, 2005; 11598 posts; 3038 upvotes; Kingston

Nov 7th, 2020 4:15 pm

thriftshopper wrote: ↑ slightly better one wold be something like this one.
https://www.lowes.ca/product/dryer-part ... hood-34500

I installed this type for my range hood and dryer. Very happy with them.

A really cheap fix for right now would be to buy the same type you have, take the flaps off the new ones and install them in the frame of the old ones.

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Nov 7th, 2020 7:58 pm

IndyBeak: Deal Addict; Sep 13, 2016; 3327 posts; 2063 upvotes; Mississauga

Nov 7th, 2020 7:58 pm

gumby wrote: ↑ I bought the one larger than the existing vent overall dimensions, it's meant to be Installed over the existing vent. This cover has a fixed deflector (B), not a flap. I left the existing flaps in place but you can remove them. I use only 4 screws without any caulking so it can be removed easily. My use case is only a cover so there's no need for sealing.

Thanks. Makes sense.

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