By  Kerry Hale

How To Keep Your Bathroom Ventilated

  • Wednesday 18 September 2024
  • 6 minute read

Bathroom ventilation is key for keeping mould at bay and creating a healthy environment. Excess moisture can be particularly problematic in windowless bathrooms and wet rooms, but even bathrooms with windows can be affected.

This guide covers how to keep your bathroom well-ventilated, from choosing the right extractor fan to using a dehumidifier.

Benefits of good bathroom air ventilation

Ventilation is very important in bathrooms, letting air move freely and removing moisture and unpleasant smells.

There are several benefits of a good bathroom ventilation system, including:

  • Limits condensation
  • Prevents damp and mould, which can look unsightly and cause respiratory problems and skin reactions
  • Lengthens the bathroom’s lifespan so you won’t need to redecorate as often

How to prevent excess moisture in your bathroom

As the most humid room in the house, bathrooms are prone to condensation, which you might notice forming on the ceiling, mirrors or windows. At best, this can cause watermarks on your surfaces; at worst, it can lead to black mould.

Air needs to circulate to prevent excess moisture from building up, and there are certain steps you can take to help keep it moving.

1. Install an extractor fan

Installing a bathroom extractor fan is one of the easiest ways to keep your bathroom ventilated. In the UK, all bathrooms must be ventilated by either an extractor fan or a window.

How do extractor fans work?

Extractor fans pull moisture from the room using powerful rotating blades and vent it outside, helping prevent damp and mould. Mould can damage bathroom fittings like tiles, curtains and shower screens, so installing an extractor fan can help combat this.

There are different models and powers available, including high-tech extractor fans with adjustable timers and sensors.

Choosing the right extractor fan

The best extractor fan for your bathroom depends on your preferred size, aesthetics and the noise level you’re willing to take. There are three types available:

  • Axial extractor fans can be fitted to external walls and some windows, letting moisture and air escape outside.
  • Centrifugal extractor fans are often fitted to ceilings and are ideal for en-suites or bathrooms with no external walls. The air is ducted a short distance to an exterior vent, usually in the roof eaves or another wall.
  • Inline extractor fans are fitted to the ceiling with up to 40 metres of ducting distance.

How to install an extractor fan

To install an extractor fan, you’ll need:

  • Saw
  • Drill and suitable drill bits
  • Screwdriver
  • Stud detector
  • Pencil
  • Grill cover and fittings
  • Screws
  • Wall plugs
  • Flexible ducting
  • Step ladder

 

To fit a new centrifugal or inline extractor fan to the ceiling, follow these steps:

  1. Before drilling, use a stud detector to check the ceiling for supporting beams, wires or pipes. Ensure there’s enough room in the loft above and you can access the area to remove obstructions like insulation.
  2. Use a pencil to mark the area where you want to install your extractor fan, including the circular vent.
  3. Drill a hole in the circle’s outline, then use a pad saw to cut out the shape. Remove any excess material from the hole.
  4. Secure the fittings to the back of the vent to connect to the ducting pipe in the loft. When you’re happy with the placement, use a pencil to mark where the screw holes will go when attaching the vent to the ceiling.
  5. Drill the marked holes and secure the vent using wall plugs, screws and a screwdriver.
  6. Install the fan in the loft. It should be fitted horizontally to the loft floor and screwed in securely.
  7. Attach the ducting pipe to the ceiling vent at one end and the extractor fan at the other. On the other side of the fan, secure the ducting to the exterior ventilation (like roof eaves or a wall vent).
  8. When all the components are in place, the electrical connections can be made. You need a qualified electrician to do this to ensure your extractor fan is installed safely. You can operate your extractor fan with the bathroom light switch or a separate control.
  9. When the electrical work is complete, secure the grill over the vent in the bathroom ceiling and replace any loft insulation you’ve moved.

 

When fitting a new axial extractor fan to an external wall, the steps are mostly the same, however:

  • Ensure the fan isn’t obstructed by external pipes and doesn’t sit below a window.
  • To make the hole in the wall, drill numerous holes around the circle you’ve marked for the vent, then use a hammer and chisel to remove the brick or stone.
  • Ensure the ducting pipe sits flush between the internal and external walls and is fitted at a downward angle.
  • Place grill covers horizontally to keep rain out.

2. Keep windows open during and after showering

To let moisture escape, leave your bathroom window open during showering and for at least 15 minutes after. If your bathroom doesn’t have any windows, leave the door open instead.

Some plants, including spider plants and snake plants, can also help remove moisture from the air. Place a few of your favourites around the bathroom, including on the windowsill and in the shower.

3. Keep your shower door open after showering

When you step out of the shower, leave the door open to help remove moisture from the walls, door and floor. If you have a shower curtain, create a gap to let air circulate, but keep the plastic or fabric relatively flat to prevent moisture from getting trapped in the folds. This could lead to a build-up of mould and mildew.

4. Wipe down surfaces

To prevent mould from forming, use an old towel to wipe down your bathroom surfaces after a shower or bath. A squeegee is ideal for removing water from glass shower screens and tiles.

5. Install bacteria-reducing wall panels

Bacteria-reducing wall panels feature special technology that helps combat mould and bacteria on the surface. Mira wall panels feature BioCote ®  technology to reduce bacteria by up to 99.9%, and they perfectly complement our range of shower enclosures and shower trays.

6. Invest in a dehumidifier

If you’re struggling to tackle condensation in your bathroom, you may need to invest in a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers work by pulling moisture from the air and collecting it as water. Using your dehumidifier during or after showers or baths can reduce the amount of condensation in the room

7. Have a cooler shower

Lower the temperature of your baths and showers to keep steam and moisture levels down. If you like hot showers, try stepping out a few minutes earlier to reduce the humidity.

Follow our bathroom ventilation tips to keep condensation under control. For more advice about looking after your bathroom, explore our guides to removing limescale and tackling mould.

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