Bathroom Ventilation 101

Bathroom fans are an essential component of proper bathroom ventilation. They help to remove excess moisture and odors from the bathroom, preventing the growth of mold and mildew and ensuring a healthy and comfortable living space. In this blog post, we'll discuss the importance of bathroom fans and the different types of bathroom fans available to ensure that your bathroom stays dry and free of harmful mold and mildew.

Excess moisture in the bathroom can lead to several problems such as the growth of mold and mildew. This can not only cause unsightly stains and musty odors, but also can lead to structural damage and potential health risks such as allergies and respiratory issues. Bathroom fans are designed to remove this excess moisture and keep the bathroom dry and well-ventilated.

The most common type of bathroom fan is the exhaust fan. These fans are typically installed in the ceiling, above the shower or bathtub, and are designed to remove excess moisture and odors from the bathroom and vent them outside. It's important to make sure that the fan is powerful enough to effectively remove moisture and odors from the bathroom, and that it is properly vented to the outside.

It's also important to note that the bathroom fan should be run for at least 20 minutes after taking a shower or bath to ensure that the excess moisture is effectively removed. New bath fans have settings or modules that can be installed to make sure they are running enough. Fans can be programmed to run when they sense motion, at certain humidity levels or even continuously at a low speed.

Bathroom fans are a crucial component of proper bathroom ventilation. They help to remove excess moisture and odors, preventing the growth of mold and mildew and ensuring a healthy and comfortable living space. It's important to select the right type of fan and ensure that it's properly installed and ventilated to the outside. By taking these steps, you can create a dry and well-ventilated bathroom, which is essential for your health and home's longevity.

Pro Tip: There are bathroom fans with plugin modules that can help make your bath ventilation foolproof. There are also specialty wall switches with built in sensors if you don’t need a new fan. The best sensor I have used is the humidity sensor; when the bathroom humidity hits a certain level the bath fan automatically turns on. This sensor is very useful if you normally forget to turn on the fan before jumping into the shower.

Danny Geurink, BPI Building Analyst and Certified Master Inspector at Ink Ink Inspections