Q: Our fans in the bathrooms are rather noisy. Broan has new replacement fans that are supposed to be quieter and move more air. Have you had any experience with these, and are they easy to replace?
A: Yes, there is a kit sold at Menards and Lowes that will solve your problem. The bath fan upgrade kit is Broan #690. The fan in your current system is probably a blade type fan. This kit changes that fan to a squirrel cage type that is much quieter.
Broan 690 Upgrade Kit replaces the models shown in Figure 1.
The Broan website states installation takes just 10 minutes with no rewiring or duct work necessary.
To see the installation instructions and a video on the process go to the following link:
www.broan.com/display/router.asp?ProductID=100402Toilet water supply hose
Q: With the strong Huntley water pressure, do the nylon type braided hoses running to the toilets have a life expectancy, and are the steel braided ones better for leak protection?
A: After a short discussion in the shop, we concluded that these hoses should last longer than we will. If you are concerned and want to be totally safe, there is a new hose available called FloodSafe. If a leak is detected, this hose has a built-in valve that will close and prevent any water damage.
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