Extractor faults fall into a short list: no supply, a failed overrun timer, a blocked or badly routed duct, or a fan that was never powerful enough for the room. Each has a different fix and a very different price, so it is worth identifying which one you have.
No supply or failed timer
Most fans are fed via a fused spur with a timer module. A blown fuse in that spur, or a failed timer, kills the fan while leaving the light working. That is a quick, inexpensive repair.
Ducting problems
A fan can be running perfectly and still fail to clear steam if the duct is crushed, uninsulated, over-long or terminating in a loft rather than outside. Condensation in an uninsulated loft duct also drips back and looks like a leak.
Specification and zones
Bathroom electrical work sits under specific zone rules for IP rating and protection. When replacing a fan we confirm the zone, the protection arrangement and the isolation point rather than simply matching the old unit.
Common questions
- Why does the fan run for ages after the light goes off?
- That is the overrun timer, and it is adjustable on most units.
- Can you fit a fan where there isn't one?
- Yes, subject to a viable duct route to outside.
- Does a bathroom fan need its own circuit?
- Not usually — it is normally fed from the lighting circuit via a fused spur.
- Is bathroom work notifiable?
- New circuits in a bathroom are notifiable. We handle certification either way.
Tell us whether the fan is silent or noisy but ineffective — those are two different jobs.
Related guides
- Bathroom Electrics and ZonesBathrooms are a special location, and the rules are about water and distance rather than paperwork for its own sake.
- Buzzing Switches, Dimmers and FittingsSome buzz is harmless electronics; some buzz is a connection you should not ignore.
- EICR Codes C1, C2, C3 and FI ExplainedFour codes decide whether your report is satisfactory and what you must do next.