Whether you have just purchased a new home or are thinking about a remodel, the bathroom typically takes much of your consideration - as it should! The bathroom is one of the most action oriented rooms in the house and in most demand at times. In keeping this room operating in tip-top shape, be sure to consider the ventilation situation. Depending on your local building codes you might need a bathroom vent even if you have a window in the bathroom.
The purpose of a bathroom ventilation system is twofold. First, it provides comfort. After a hot shower the steam can fog up glasses and the mirror making things more difficult. Plus, bathroom odors need to be removed from time to time. However, the really important job for the venting system is the removal of moisture.
Allowing moisture to linger can create very serious problems. The one most prominent to many is the mold issue. Generally, mold needs a warm and moist environment to grow and thrive - exactly the environment an unvented bathroom provides. Mold can be a health hazard depending on the type and can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems. Additionally, it is visually unattractive. The second issue is that moisture will rot and decay your home's structure. Frequently, the damage is not visible until it is very far along making it difficult and expensive to repair. All of the issues can be avoided by properly venting the bathroom with a ceiling or wall ventilation system.
Be very wary of a contractor that wants to vent your bathroom into the attic or other space in the home. Just because the moisture is no longer in your bathroom doesn't mean it can't cause problems. The theory in venting to the attic is that the moisture will dissipate out the roof vents and not cause any harm. The first problem is that this presupposes that the attic space is being ventilated properly. If the attic is not properly ventilated then the water vapor can't escape and will cause the damage in your attic instead of your bathroom. Secondly, if the temperature is below freezing the water vapor will freeze on the surfaces in the attic - rafters, insulation, etc. - and once it warms up again it melts directly onto these surface where it can cause significant damage. This is particularly true if you have a frequently used shower. Vent your home properly and make sure ductwork is added so that your bathroom fan vents to the outside.
You can have contractor install a ventilation system for you but with a little bit of handyman skill it is a task you can undertake yourself. Check out the web for instructions on how to properly install a system.
A bathroom ventilation system is one area where you don't want to take shortcuts. Doing so can cost a lot of money!
For more information on bathroom ventilation systems and more visit www.NorthernAirPlumbing.com.
Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Northern Air Plumbing.
The purpose of a bathroom ventilation system is twofold. First, it provides comfort. After a hot shower the steam can fog up glasses and the mirror making things more difficult. Plus, bathroom odors need to be removed from time to time. However, the really important job for the venting system is the removal of moisture.
Allowing moisture to linger can create very serious problems. The one most prominent to many is the mold issue. Generally, mold needs a warm and moist environment to grow and thrive - exactly the environment an unvented bathroom provides. Mold can be a health hazard depending on the type and can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems. Additionally, it is visually unattractive. The second issue is that moisture will rot and decay your home's structure. Frequently, the damage is not visible until it is very far along making it difficult and expensive to repair. All of the issues can be avoided by properly venting the bathroom with a ceiling or wall ventilation system.
Be very wary of a contractor that wants to vent your bathroom into the attic or other space in the home. Just because the moisture is no longer in your bathroom doesn't mean it can't cause problems. The theory in venting to the attic is that the moisture will dissipate out the roof vents and not cause any harm. The first problem is that this presupposes that the attic space is being ventilated properly. If the attic is not properly ventilated then the water vapor can't escape and will cause the damage in your attic instead of your bathroom. Secondly, if the temperature is below freezing the water vapor will freeze on the surfaces in the attic - rafters, insulation, etc. - and once it warms up again it melts directly onto these surface where it can cause significant damage. This is particularly true if you have a frequently used shower. Vent your home properly and make sure ductwork is added so that your bathroom fan vents to the outside.
You can have contractor install a ventilation system for you but with a little bit of handyman skill it is a task you can undertake yourself. Check out the web for instructions on how to properly install a system.
A bathroom ventilation system is one area where you don't want to take shortcuts. Doing so can cost a lot of money!
For more information on bathroom ventilation systems and more visit www.NorthernAirPlumbing.com.
Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Northern Air Plumbing.
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