Have you ever got out of the shower to find a coating of water dripping down literally everything? While this may not seem like a big issue, consistent poor ventilation can cause damage to your bathroom and the rest of your home, which can be difficult and expensive to repair.
In this article, we are going to discuss what poor ventilation is, the issues that it can cause, and how to avoid them. Let’s get into it!
What does poor ventilation mean?
Poor ventilation means that there isn’t enough airflow or circulation within an enclosed space, such as a bathroom or utility room. Having poor ventilation in your bathroom means you have inadequate airflow, which can lead to a build up of moisture, odours and other airborne contaminants.
What can poor ventilation in your bathroom cause?
Unfortunately, poor air circulation within your bathroom can cause a lot of different issues, beyond just the buildup of moisture, odours, and contaminants.
One of the worst issues that can be caused by poor ventilation in the bathroom is the growth of mould and mildew. The humidity within a bathroom after a bath or shower creates the perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew. Not only is this buildup unsightly, it can also pose significant health risks, especially for those with respiratory problems, such as asthma or allergies.
A buildup of moisture in your bathroom can also wreak havoc on your bathroom furniture, particularly if you have wooden cabinets or worktops and metal components. Excess moisture due to poor ventilation can cause wooden cabinets and doors to blow, meaning that they cannot close properly and can look unaesthetic, and can even lead wood to rot overtime. Too much humidity can also cause your metal components, such as taps and door handles to rust and corrode, leading to an unsightly appearance for your bathroom – not what you want, especially if you spent money redoing it.
As well as this, bad air flow can impact the structure of the entire building. These issues can compromise the safety and durability of the building, which could potentially lead to expensive repairs or renovations.
Finally, poor ventilation can affect the overall comfort level of people who use the space. Stagnant air can feel stuffy and uncomfortable, especially in spaces where people spend extended periods, which could further exacerbate existing health conditions, and even cause new ones.
Why is proper ventilation important in your bathroom?
As we’ve discussed, having poor air circulation in your bathroom can cause a host of issues throughout your home, so it is vital to ensure that the ventilation systems that you use in your bathroom are working accurately and efficiently. Bathroom ventilation is especially important because:
- Moisture control: Bathrooms can generate a lot of moisture, especially following a shower, bath or using the sink for a long time (e.g. washing or shaving your face). Without efficient ventilation systems, this moisture buildup can lead to damp, mould growth and damage to walls, ceilings and fixtures.
- Mould prevention: Damp, humid conditions create a breeding ground for mould and mildew, which can lead to various health problems. A correctly-working ventilation system will reduce humidity levels, helping to prevent the growth of mould.
- Air quality: Good bathroom ventilation can improve the quality of the air inside your building by removing the moisture, pollutants and odours. This will help create a healthier living space.
- Odour removal: Proper air circulation can also help to get rid of unpleasant smells, which creates a more comfortable bathroom for users.
How to improve the ventilation in your bathroom
Now that you know the issues that can be caused by insufficient bathroom ventilation, and why proper ventilation in your bathroom is so important, you’re probably wondering what can be done to improve it? We’re going to give you some tips on how you can improve the ventilation in your bathroom.
Open the window
Probably the easiest way to improve the ventilation in your bathroom is to open the bathroom window (if you have one). Natural ventilation through opening a window during and after showering will improve the air circulation and help to reduce the humidity levels in the room.
Install an extractor fan
Sometimes, just opening a window isn’t enough to prevent moisture buildup. Possibly the most effective way of ensuring adequate bathroom ventilation is through the installation of an extractor fan.
An extractor fan is a fan that removes the moisture from the air before the water vapour can condense back into liquid. It expels the moisture-laden air outside through vents or ducts, allowing for fresh air to circulate through the room. You should run your extractor fan both during showers or baths, and continue running it for at least 20-30 minutes afterwards to remove excess moisture. If you are concerned about noise, make sure to choose a quiet fan with a low sone rating – this will help to minimise noise.
Make sure you choose an appropriate fan for the size of your bathroom, and install it near the bath or shower, as this is where moisture levels will be the highest . Extractor fan capacity is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). If your bathroom has a large square footage or very high ceilings, it may be worth installing multiple extractor fans, or choosing one with a higher CFM rating.
Ensure correct ducting for your extractor fan
According to Screwfix, ducting is ‘a series of flexible or straight pipework and fittings that channels cooled or heated air to specific locations.’ Ensure that the ductwork is the appropriate size, and has been sealed and insulated correctly, so that air leakage and condensation is minimised. In an ideal scenario, the ducting should be as short and as straight as possible, with an end point outside of the building.
Make sure to maintain your ventilation system
Like most things inside your home, regular maintenance is paramount to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the system you choose. Make sure to clean the extractor fan and ducting regularly to remove any dust and debris build up, and check that the fan is working correctly.
How GreenSmart can help
At GreenSmart, we have decades of experience in plumbing services, across boiler and heating repairs, bathroom installations and facilities management. We work with our clients to ensure that the work we do meets our customers requirements.
Contact us today to discover how we can help you!
