6 Checks for Bathroom Ventilation That Actually Works
Bathrooms generate more moisture than any other room, and most mould problems there come down to ventilation that does not work as installed.
1. Checking the fan actually works
Hold a sheet of tissue paper against the grille with the fan running. It should hold in place.
If it falls, the fan is failing, the duct is blocked, or the run is too long or convoluted for the fan's capacity.
Clean the grille and the blades, which accumulate dust and dramatically reduce airflow.
2. Where it vents to
It must vent outside, through a wall or roof terminal.
Fans venting into a loft space are a common and serious fault: the moisture condenses on the roof structure and causes rot over time.
Check the duct route in the loft if you can access it.
Flexible ducting should run as straight and short as possible; every bend and sag reduces flow.
3. Run time
A fan running only while the light is on removes a fraction of the moisture generated.
An overrun timer continuing for fifteen to twenty minutes after the light goes off is far more effective.
Humidity-sensing fans run until the moisture is actually cleared, which is better again.
4. Supporting measures
Keep the door closed while showering and for the overrun period, so moist air is extracted rather than distributed through the house.
Open a window afterwards where there is one.
Wipe down shower screens and tiles, which removes a surprising volume of water.
Heat the room; a cold bathroom condenses everything.
5. Dealing with existing mould
Clean with an appropriate fungicidal product, wiping rather than brushing.
Reseal silicone where mould has grown into it, since surface cleaning will not remove it from within the sealant.
Address the ventilation at the same time, or it returns within weeks.
6. When to upgrade
Persistent condensation despite a working fan suggests the fan is undersized for the room or the duct run.
Extractor replacement is inexpensive relative to the damage prolonged moisture causes.
Electrical work in bathrooms is regulated in most jurisdictions and should be done by a qualified person.
Final Thoughts
Bathrooms generate more moisture than any other room, and most mould there is a ventilation failure rather than a damp problem. Check the fan actually moves air and check where it vents to.
Author: This article is general information only and does not constitute professional advice. Circumstances vary, and you should consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this content.
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