In addition to the awful smells, cooking fumes also contain two toxic gases that have been known to be carcinogenic.
Continued inhalation of such fumes, especially if yours is a gas oven can cause adverse health effects, notwithstanding the reduced visual appeal.
Thanks to a vent range hood, you do not have to withstand these toxic and staining fumes any longer, as it will capture and discard them.
The idea of enjoying the benefits fascinates most homeowners. This is until it comes to installation.
Following this simple and clear-cut guide, vent hood installation does not have to be a brainer.
Assess the Situation
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The first step in vent hood installation is assessing the situation. This entails determining the location of the joist about your desired location of the vent hood. The assessment is then followed by marking the path of the vent ducting and hood.
The easiest way to do this is to use a dot laser to find the center of the joist about the center of the ducting and hood. Having marked the center dot, then make the vertical and horizontal paths where the ducting and the hood will pass.
As you do that, do not forget to take the exact measurements of the path to match the size of both the duct and hood.
Most importantly, remember to cut off the power supply to the kitchen area before attempting any installation step.
Plan the Route
The joists are the horizontal structures that support the strength of the house by distributing the weight of the overlying floor amongst the vertical beams. Since the last thing you want to do is weaken the structure, try as much as possible to vent the hood away from the joists since cutting through is also quite intricate, especially for those doing DIY. With that in mind, it would be best if the ducting was to go parallel to the joist. However, if that is not feasible, you will be forced to cut through the joist and provide reinforcement.
Cut the Opening
Using the reciprocating saw acquired in the previous step, cut a section of the joist where the vent ducting will pass. Ensure you leave an allowance to allow the ducting to pass comfortably without compromising on structural integrity. However, as we initially noted, this has to be a last resort in situations where venting the ducting parallel to the joist is not feasible.
Reinforce the Joist
Having cut enough openings where the ducting will pass, it is now time to reinforce the cut joist. You can install a piece of wood of similar size and shape alongside the cut joist, a technique known as sistering. Alternatively, you can use metal reinforcements and screws to secure them on the cut joist.
Install the Vent Ducting
On the cut and reinforced joist, lay the vent ducting on the opening and ensure it is properly aligned before securing it with duct tape or clamps. Any openings should be sealed with caulk or insulating foam to prevent heat loss.
Install the Vent Hood
Following the directions of the manufacturer carefully, lift the vent hood, secure it on the wall or ceiling and properly attach it to the ducting. Since the vent hood might be a little too heavy for one person, you might need help putting it into place. To achieve a level of the hood, ensure the center of the hood falls on the vertical line you made in the first process step. To be very certain confirm the level using a bar level. On the power mains, flip the kitchen power supply switch back on and test the workability of the vent hood.
Seal and Finish
Insulate the vent ducting using aluminum foil to enhance energy efficiency. Seal the joint between the vent hood and ducting and around the joist with caulk or insulating foam to alleviate energy loss through air leaks. Apply white cement around the area where the ducting escapes into the ceiling and seal appropriately. Clean up the debris and paint the areas around the sealing.
The installation process is simple and short. But even as simple and short as it seems, it may still be a challenge to a good number of homeowners specifically those that are not very good at DIYs and around tools. That being the case, vent hood professionals are the right people to handle the installation. Besides, the last thing you want is to mess up your new masterpiece that you invested a fortune in.