The Dos and Don'ts of Bathroom Ventilation

Your bathroom is the wettest room in your home. Steamy showers, flushing toilets, running sinks, and occasional drips add up to high humidity. And with major moisture comes potential problems: mold and mildew, a funky smell, peeling wallpaper, paint that chips and scratches easily, and even lifting or splitting of laminated plywood vanities. Luckily, proper bathroom ventilation can keep humidity and its resulting issues in check. Here are nine ways to prevent excessive moisture buildup in your bathroom.

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Do choose the right bathroom fan.

If you don&#;t have a window in your bathroom, chances are good the building codes in your city require a bathroom vent fan. These fans pull moisture-laden air out of the room&#;as well as bathroom odors&#;and vent them outside. You&#;ll find several types to choose from, including simple box fans that install in the ceiling, combination bathroom fan/light fixtures, combination bathroom fan/light/heater fixtures, and wall-mount bathroom fans for situations where you must vent the fan through the wall without much ductwork. More often, bathroom fans vent out through a duct running up to the roof.

Although most bathroom vent fans are quite simple, some have bells and whistles, such as motion sensors that switch the device on when you enter the bathroom and turn it off once you leave. Some units even have a heat exchange function, which uses the vented warm air to heat up incoming cooler air, thus preventing the fan from sucking out your home&#;s warmth during the winter months. You&#;ll also find fan/light fixtures with decorative globes and finishes that add a bit of style.

Don&#;t forget to measure your bathroom.

Typical building regulations call for a full air exchange&#;a measurement of the air movement out of a space divided by the square footage of that space&#;five times per hour, but most contractors and building experts feel that&#;s actually a bit low, and recommend you choose a fan that provides at least eight full air exchanges per hour. No need to bother with a calculator and mathematical equations, however; you&#;ll generally get close to that goal by choosing a bathroom fan with a cubic-feet-per-minute (CFM) capacity that&#;s the same as your bathroom&#;s square footage. For example, if your bathroom is 80 square feet, you need a vent fan with an 80 CFM capacity. Add an extra 100 CFM if your bathroom sports a jetted tub to compensate for the additional moisture tossed into the air by the water&#;s agitation.

Do make the right installation decision.

If you&#;re simply replacing an old bathroom fan with a newer unit, the project is within the realm of most handy DIYers, as you&#;ll be able to use the existing vents and electrical connections. If working with electricity is not within your comfort range, however, leave the job to a professional. And you&#;ll need a pro to install a fan in a bathroom that currently lacks one, as this project will require extensive electrical wiring and the installation of vents running to the roof.

Don&#;t install it in the wrong spot.

Once you&#;ve chosen the right capacity bathroom vent fan, make sure to install it in the right place. Ideally, your fan should be near the tub or shower, but not right next to an air conditioning/heating vent, as the forced air can create currents that disrupt the bathroom fan&#;s steady intake of humid air. And for proper bathroom ventilation, your exhaust fan needs to vent outside, not into the attic or another area of the house.

RELATED: 7 Mistakes Not to Make in Your Bathroom Remodel

Do let your fan run long enough.

Let the bathroom vent fan run throughout your bath or shower and, just as importantly, leave it on for at least 15 minutes after you&#;re finished to fully air out the space. Turning the fan off right after your shower or bath doesn&#;t give the device enough time to vent all the shower steam. If your mornings are very hectic, consider installing a bathroom vent fan with an automatic humidity sensor; these units detect when humidity levels are too high in and switch the fan on and off as needed.

Don&#;t forget to clean the fan.

Even the best bathroom fan can&#;t improve ventilation if it&#;s thick with dust and grime. At least twice per year, give the fan a thorough cleaning. The process is simple:

• Shut off the electrical circuit to your bathroom so you don&#;t risk a shock.
• Remove the fan&#;s cover&#;most are attached with wire pins on the sides, which squeeze together to release the cover.
• Use the upholstery brush or crevice tool on your vacuum to remove dust, cobwebs, and other grunge from the fan and its housing.
• Replace the fan&#;s cover.
• Turn the electricity back on.

Do wipe up puddles.

Never turn a blind eye to drips, drops, and puddles. Not only is a wet bathroom floor hazardous, but a puddle-free surface also ensures that the full bath dries out as quickly as possible during the 15+ minutes of fan run time, discouraging the growth of mold and mildew spores. Use an absorbent bathmat and wipe up any pools of water you notice ASAP.

RELATED: 8 Ways to Mildew-Proof Your Bathroom

Don&#;t leave your shower door or curtain closed.

If you have a shower door, leave it open after you step out to let the running fan circulate air throughout the entire space, getting the shower door, walls, floor, and ceiling to dry more quickly. On the other hand, if you have a curtain, avoid leaving it pushed all the way to one side after exiting. Keeping the plastic/fabric primarily flat and eliminating folds that trap moisture will prevent mold and mildew spores from multiplying. Close the curtain most of the way, leaving just a crack so that circulating air from the fan can do its work inside the shower.

Do open the window.

If your bathroom doesn&#;t have a fan, take advantage of the door and window(s) to let out steam. Whenever weather permits, open the window during your shower or bath and leave the window open for at least 15 minutes after you exit. If the window isn&#;t an option, keep the bathroom door open&#;just a crack, if privacy is an issue&#;during your shower, and then open the door all the way once you&#;re finished in the bathroom.

Showers, baths, and running faucets can cause moisture damage in your bathroom, including everything from peeling paint and warped wood to damaged drywall. You can help prevent these issues&#;as well as mold and mildew&#;by properly ventilating your bathroom. Here are some tips.

Common Signs of Poor Bathroom Ventilation

Recognizing the signs of inadequate ventilation is the first step in addressing the problem. Here are some telltale indicators:

1. Foggy mirrors that remain clouded long after showering
2. Persistent musty odors
3. Visible mold or mildew growth, especially in corners or on ceilings
4. Peeling paint or wallpaper
5. Water stains on walls or ceilings

If you notice any of these signs, it&#;s time to upgrade your bathroom&#;s ventilation system.

DIY Methods to Improve Bathroom Ventilation

For those comfortable with home improvement projects, there are effective DIY approaches to improve bathroom ventilation.

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Install a New Bathroom Exhaust Fan

An exhaust fan is the primary means of ventilating a bathroom. If you already have the necessary ductwork installed, replacing the old exhaust fan with a new one is an achievable DIY project.

The size of your exhaust fan should be based on your bathroom&#;s square footage. The general rule is to have 1 cubic foot per minute (CFM) of airflow for every square foot of bathroom space. For example, a 100-square-foot bathroom would require a fan rated at least 100 CFM. For bathrooms larger than 100 square feet or those with high ceilings, it&#;s wise to increase the CFM rating to ensure adequate ventilation.

Modern bathroom fans have features that improve their effectiveness and convenience. Consider looking for options that include the following:

• Energy Star certification for improved efficiency
• Humidity sensors that automatically turn the fan on and off
• Multiple speeds for customized ventilation
• Built-in lighting options
• Ultra-quiet operation for less noise disruption

When To Replace Your Exhaust Fan

Most bathroom exhaust fans have a lifespan of about 10 years. Here are some signs it&#;s time for a replacement:

• Excessive noise during operation
• Visible rust or damage
• Failure to remove moisture effectively
• Inconsistent performance

How to Install a Bathroom Exhaust Fan

The specific steps to install a bathroom exhaust fan depend on your bathroom setup and the exhaust system you install. Below is a general description of the steps required to provide some idea of what exhaust fan installation entails.

1. Turn off the power at the circuit breaker
2. Remove the old fan (if applicable)
3. Install a mounting bracket for the new fan
4. Connect the ductwork to the fan housing
5. Wire the fan according to the manufacturer&#;s instructions
6. Secure the fan to the mounting bracket
7. Install the fan grille
8. Test the fan for proper operation

Always consult the manufacturer&#;s instructions and local building codes before beginning a renovation project.

Bathroom Window Upgrade

If your existing windows don&#;t open, consider replacing them. You can also install a window fan for additional air circulation. Remember, while windows can help, they shouldn&#;t be relied upon as the sole source of ventilation, especially in colder climates.

Professional Bathroom Ventilation

Some bathroom layouts present unique ventilation challenges that require professional expertise to resolve. According to Angi.com, a new fan installation (including ductwork) can cost between $200 and $800. If your home doesn&#;t have a bathroom fan, you&#;ll likely want to hire a pro to install one.

Professional ventilation companies can also add other features that will help remove moisture from your bathroom. These include different types of fans or nontraditional types of vents.

Recirculating Fans

Recirculating fans pass air through a filter to remove odors before recirculating it back into the room. While not ideal for full bathrooms with showers, they can significantly improve air quality in small spaces. A recirculating fan is a good solution for half-baths where exterior venting is impossible.

Inline Fans

Inline fans are installed in the ductwork away from the bathroom, reducing noise while providing strong ventilation. An HVAC professional can help determine the best location and installation method for an inline fan.

Under-Floor Bathroom Venting

In multistory homes or apartments where traditional roof or wall venting isn&#;t possible, under-floor venting can be a viable alternative. This method involves running ductwork beneath the floor to an exterior wall. While more complex, it allows for effective ventilation in challenging layouts.

Soffits

A soffit is a lowered portion of a ceiling that can conceal ductwork while adding an architectural element to your bathroom. This approach allows for proper ventilation without major structural changes.

Energy Recover Ventilators

Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), or heat recovery ventilators (HRVs), provide continuous ventilation while minimizing energy loss by transferring heat or humidity between the outgoing and incoming air streams. This type of ventilation maintains indoor air quality while reducing energy consumption.

Our Conclusion

Adequate, consistent ventilation is important for reducing mold and mildew in your bathroom. Improving ventilation is usually the solution to odors, peeling wallpaper, water damage, and mold growth.

You can usually replace your exhaust fan or upgrade your windows without professional help. More complicated ventilation systems, like under-floor venting, require professional assistance.

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