Investor · Chatham County, NC · Member since 2014 · 89 posts · 20 votes
Greetings all- after 6 months of a well-performing lease on my first deal, I have my second deal under contract! Overall, the inspection shows the place is in pretty good shape with mostly cosmetic fixes.
The inspector did notice that the microwave installed over the stove/range vents not up into what looks like a vent system above the microwave, but out into the room just above the microwave door. He recommended I get someone who can remove the microwave, adjust the vent to go back up, and if need be, build or repair a venting structure to the outside wall about ten feet away.
This is on the interior wall of a townhome, so the vent needs to run to the rear wall, and then outside.
Has anyone done anything like this in a townhouse? Any advice? If so, what did it cost? Thanks!
Investor · Verona, NJ · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 832 votes
7y
why change it ? there is nothing wrong with it, most microwaves have that option and do not have to be vented out, even though as a contractor i prefer them to vent out. if the existing pipe already vents out, which it probably does if there is a pipe in the cabinet already. what you would have to do is unscrew the 2 or 3 screws in the top cabinet that screw down into the microwave ( if not there then there may be 2 bolts in the front of the unit behind the cover that have to be loosened) that will loosen the microwave, then its a matter of taking the screws out that hold the fan at the top back, pull the blower fan out and change the direction so that it faces up, screw the fan back to the unit and put the microwave back up and bolting it. check to make sure the fan connects to the duct work, if not, add a piece of sheet metal to connect and seal that joint. btw you may want to unplug the microwave before doing so, just for safety reasons.
Investor · Chatham County, NC · Member since 2014 · 89 posts · 20 votes
7y
Thanks for the reply! I'm thinking more about the venting of the stove/range than the microwave. I'm hoping the scenario we'll find when we take the microwave down is the one you describe, but if not, I'm trying to get a handle on what it might cost to run the venting outside. The space above the range/microwave looks weird and it may not have a vent in it.
Real Estate Investor · Williamson County, TX · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 961 votes
7y
@Patrick M. Read the instructions on your microwave vent hood. You use the metal filters to vent outside and charcoal filters to recirculate. S
Sometimes the cabinet above the vent has wood pAneling around the metal vent through the ceiling...is that what you mean by looking wierd?