Bathroom ventilation options – Have you ever found tiny black spots on the wall or the bathroom ceiling or a sewage smell in your bathroom? That may be mold or mildew and grows where bathroom moisture is found. But do not fear it,t for it is true that uncomfortable intruders can take all your bathroom occasionally, and it is good to know how to combat this. The solution lies in adequate cross-ventilation.
Why Lighting Matters
Describe your bathroom as a small pond. Each time you shower or bathe, the water makes the air moist as water evaporates into the air.
This moisture condenses on such surfaces as the walls, ceilings, and even your curtain for your shower.
Any pockets of moisture in the surroundings will create ideal conditions for mold and mildew to breed.
Yes mold and mildew are ugly, but they are also dangerous for our bodies. Asthma can result from their use; they can cause allergic reactions and even respiratory difficulties.
That is why it is advisable to ensure your bathroom is well-sprayed or ventilated to avoid this.
How to Ventilate a Bathroom
There are several ways to ventilate your bathroom and keep it dry:
Exhaust Fans
These are by far the most popular and efficient types of bathroom ventilation. Those are placed in the ceiling or wall, effectively drawing out the humidity and expelling it in the open.
Consider the fans with high CFM ratings (Cubic Feet per minute), which means how much air the fans can move. Therefore, the higher the Chum, the more powerful is the fan.
Window Fans
If your bathroom contains a window, you must open it while showering or bathing. It is also advisable to have a window fan to pull out the moist air from the room.
Dehumidifiers
These appliances take out water in the environment, reducing the atmosphere’s suitability for mold and algae formation.
They are most appropriate for use in any room that experiences dampness, including the bathrooms. Dehumidifiers are available in different sizes and capacities; therefore, you should settle for one that suits your bathroom size.
Natural Ventilation
This is because even if you do not have an exhaust fan or window in your bathroom to enhance the ventilation rates, you can always open the door after bathing. This lets out the moist air and flows the damp air in and around your home with the dry air.
Decision-making on which form of ventilation to use
Selecting the proper ventilation system for your bathroom resembles selecting an appropriate pair of shoes for a hike.
In other words, the nature of the ground (size and condition of bathroom space), the climate (weather conditions), and your requirements (your budget and existing plumbing). Let’s break down these factors to help you make the best decision:
1. Bathroom Size and Layout:
- Small bathrooms: A small bathroom where, instead of a wet bathroom, an ordinary shower area requires a simple exhaust fan, which does not necessarily boast a high CFM rating.
- Large bathrooms: If the toilet has a bigger space, especially if it has a jacuzzi tub or more than one shower head, it will require a more capable exhaust fan with a higher CFM rating to clear all the moisture. If your bathroom is extra spacious or has sections such as an area for a toilet and a section for showering, then it may be a good idea to have two fans.
- Bathroom with no exterior wall: More so if your bathroom is situated in the middle of your house, where there isn’t any possibility of you having an exhaust fan fixed to an exterior wall. Here, a dehumidifier or a combination of a window fan with a dehumidifier could be rational.
2. Climate:
- Humid climates: If you live in an already warm and moist area, you must have a solid venting system. The most important necessity is to have a high-powered exhaust fan or a dehumidifier because of the constantly high humidity level in the environment.
- Dry climates: A standard exhaust fan or simply opening a window could work in other areas of low humidity. But if you take longer showers, especially the hot ones, you will require some air to avoid the formation of dampness.
3. Budget:
- Exhaust fans: Standard exhaust fans have different costs based on the specific CFM rating, the additional lights, heater, or humidity sensor they come with, and the installation process. Even if they come at a higher initial expense, they are lifetime savings against mold and a healthy bathroom.
- Window fans: To some extent, window fans are probably the cheapest. They are also quite simple to fit and may prove best-suited for bathrooms with windows.
- Dehumidifiers: Dehumidifiers are available at different prices based on the size and unique characteristics of the device. Despite costing more than window fans, they are efficiently eliminated and may be installed in any bathroom space, even without windows.
4. Existing Infrastructure:
- Existing exhaust fan: To make proper use of the exhaust fan, which you might already have in your bathroom, check to see the CFM rating of the fan and if it is appropriate for the size of your bathroom. This may be expected, and you might need to go for a better one if this is impossible.
- No existing ventilation: Adding an exhaust fan in a bathroom that does not have one comes with electrical work, and you may need to hire an electrician. However, consider a couple of questions: Is such an option affordable for me? Is it even possible?
5. Personal Preferences:
- Noise levels: Most exhaust fans are quiet, but some can produce a certain noise level. They come in various designs, and you should opt for the one with a low sone rating, especially if you don’t require or want loud noise.
- Aesthetics: Exhaust fans can be purchased in many different types and finishes that fit your bathroom setting. However, when choosing the fan, you should also think about the looks of the fan as well.
- Intelligent features: While designing modern exhaust fans, developers sometimes add such facilities as a humidity sensor, a time button, and a motion sensor.
Considering these factors will help you to select the most suitable type of ventilation for a bathroom that you can use to make the room healthy and comfortable. That is why good ventilation should be seen not as an expense but as a source of revenue you invest in your health and your house.
Best Bathroom Ventilation Options to Prevent Mold and Mildew
Ideas for Proper Ventilation of the Bathroom
Run the exhaust fan:
It is recommended to start the exhaust fan before you shower or bathe and continue running for twenty to thirty minutes afterwards.
Open the window
If you have a window in your bathroom, use it while you shower or take a bath to allow air in.
Use a dehumidifier
It is recommended to use the dehumidifier, especially if it’s common to find dampness in your bathroom area.
Keep the door ajar
If one takes a shower or a bath op, open the bathroom door slightly so moist air can come out.
Clean regularly
Due to the risks of developing moulds, your bathroom should be cleaned off, as provided on the walls, ceiling, and shower curtains.
Fix leaks promptly: Loose taps and pipes can cause moisture in your bathroom due to the dripping effect. This should be done quickly if leakage is detected.
Mold and Mildew and Eradicating Them
Besides proper ventilation, there are other things you can do to prevent mould and mildew growth in your bathroom:
Wipe down surfaces
When taking a shower or bath, use a towel with a water film to wipe the walls, shower stall, and floor.
Wash shower curtains and bath mats regularly.
These items can collect mould and mildew and need to be washed as soon as possible.
Use mold-resistant products
Using mould-resistant paints or sealants when repainting or sealing your bathroom surfaces is advisable.
Don’t leave wet towels on the floor.
For example, it is embarrassing to find wet towels hung on the towel rail when you would have preferred them to be folded.
Keep the bathroom clean and dry.
The bathroom should be cleaned often and always well-ventilated to reduce the chances of mildew.