Getting adequate ventilation in your bathroom is not only good for cosmetic reasons (such as stopping your bathroom mirror from steaming up the moment you turn on the shower) but also imperative for preventing the buildup of mold, especially in the grouting. Mold and germs are not only unsightly, but can also lead to respiratory problems, including aggravation of asthma, and allergies.
Effective ventilation involves a constant turning over of the volume of air in your bathroom by regularly sweeping out the old air and replacing it with new. But achieving this can be difficult, if not impossible if you’re not implementing the right strategies. In this guide, we’re going to investigate how professional bathroom designers ensure adequate ventilation so that you can avoid mold and other nasty consequences of excess water vapor. The last thing you want is for you and your family to get sick because of avoidable mold buildup.
Install A Modern Extraction Fan
The purpose of an extraction fan is to remove humid air from the bathroom and force new air to flow in. Extraction fans are usually built into the walls and covered by a vent to stop birds and other animals from crawling in, however, sometimes they can be fitted to window panes.
Many extraction fans work on a simple system whereby you turn the bathroom light on, and the fan revs up automatically, regardless of whether you’re doing anything to produce moisture or not. Other fan models, however, are more sophisticated and only switch on when they detect that moisture levels have passed some critical threshold. Arguably, these types of extractor fans are superior because they only turn on when you need them, and switch off when you don’t. On many basic light-switch depended systems, fans run on a timer and only switch off after an interval, which can be annoying if you decide to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
The good news is that the market has responded to the needs of customers, and there are now a variety of smart and quiet extractor fans suitable for the bathroom. The best choices are those between 0.5 and 1.2 scones.
Use A Mobile Dehumidifies
In some situations, you might not want to go to the effort of having a proper extractor fan installed. Installing an extractor fan often requires removing a section of wall and having a professional make the fitting, so if you live in rented accommodation, then this is probably out of the question.
A temporary solution, however, might be to use a mobile dehumidifier. A dehumidifier won’t work as quickly as a bona fide extractor fan, keeping your bathroom mirrors demisted during and after you take a shower, but it will help to remove excess moisture quickly while it’s not in use.
The upside of a dehumidifier is in its ability to keep moisture levels in the bathroom low all day long, without making excessive noise. In this sense, it may be more effective than a traditional extractor fan. The downsides are the fact that you’ll have to empty the reservoir from time to time, and you may notice a slight uptick in your electricity bills.
Leave Windows Open When You’ve Finished Showering
So long as it’s not minus ten degrees outside, leaving your windows for a few minutes once you’ve finished can help eliminate the worst of the moisture from your bathroom. This is good practice because it stops a layer of moisture condensing on cold bathroom surfaces prone to mold buildup, like the tiles in your shower.
Take Steps To Prevent Mold From Becoming Established
While ventilation is important, it’s only valuable because it prevents the buildup of mold and bacteria. The real aim of the game is to prevent mold from becoming established in the first place.
There are several ways that you can do this. Perhaps the most obvious is to clean your bathroom regularly. Regular cleaning eliminates mold spores and helps to prevent mold from getting a foothold.
You can also take steps to make your bathroom more resistant to mold if improving ventilation isn’t an option. First, try opening the blinds. Mold likes to grow in relatively dark and dank places and is damaged by the sun’s UV rays. Bright lights help to sterilise your bathroom naturally, without the need for chemical cleaners.
So, there you have it: a guide to keeping your bathroom mold-free with effective ventilation. Try implementing a couple of the strategies outlined here and see the difference they could make to your bathroom.
