Bathrooms are the dampest spaces in your home, thanks to running sinks, steamy showers, flushing toilets, and occasional drips. This accumulation of moisture causes high humidity. When excess moisture comes into the picture, then it brings up issues such as mold growth, a foul smell, paint degradation, and peeling wallpapers. This is why you should know how to ventilate the bathroom. Follow these tips for the best results.
1. Get a Suitable Vent Fan
If you have a window-less bathroom, then you might need a vent fan because of the building codes. The purpose of this fan is straightforward: take out the moist air and odors from the bathroom and vent them out. There is a wide range of bathroom fans; some are positioned on the ceiling, some are mounted on the wall, and some are combined with light fixtures. Advanced bathrooms fans even come with motion sensors that turn on the device when you enter the bathroom and power it off when you leave it. This working allows these fans to save energy.
2. Install the Fan Correctly
After selecting a bathroom vent fan, you need to position it in the right area. It should be near the shower or tub. However, don’t keep it near the air conditioning/heating vent. This is because the forced air builds currents, disrupting the steady intake of humid air from the fan. For optimal ventilation, your fan must vent outside, rather than any house portion such as the attic.
3. Keep the Shower Door or Curtain Open
If your shower has a door, then keep it open after coming out. It will allow the running fan to circulate air in the space evenly, helping the ceiling, walls, and the shower door dry easily. On a similar note, if you have a curtain, don’t push it to one side. Make sure that the fabric/plastic remains flat and eliminates folds that accumulate moisture. This can help with preventing the mold spores from multiplying. A better way to manage the curtain is to close it most of the way, but leave a crack. This enables the fan to circulate air inside the shower.
4. Create Space between the Floor and the Door
You have to ensure that there is a 1/2-inch to ¾-inch space between your floor and bathroom door so air can pass easily.
5. Track Humidity and use a Bathroom Dehumidifier
You can ventilate your bathroom better by monitoring the humidity metrics at your home and using a dehumidifier for a bathroom. To do this, you can use a special device known as a hygrometer.
6. Allow Daylight
Mold spaces thrive in the dark but are weakened by light. Therefore, use your window to let the daylight come into your bathroom and control mold growth.
7. Seek Surface Protection
Apply furniture polish on wooden units and radiators in your bathroom. This saves them from oxidation and moisture, thanks to a protective film coating in the polish.
