Poor bathroom ventilation can make matters of personal care awfully unpleasant. While newer, local building codes have learned to account for this issue, many older homes are equipped with bathrooms that do not offer enough ventilation to make the acts of showering or going about ones daily bathroom-related affairs as comfortable as they ought to be.
If your current bathroom doesnt seem to offer you the right amount of ventilation, you can take certain steps to increase air flow and improve your bathroom environment. Blair Harris is the director of Sales and Marketing at A&R Mechanical Services, a Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning company that has been serving Amarillo, Texas since 1992, and she thinks that anyone with poor bathroom ventilation ought to try the following in order to combat the problem:
Using an Exhaust Fan
When it comes to improving bathroom ventilation, the use of a fan is truly key. If your bathroom comes equipped with a built-in exhaust fan, dont wait until after youve emerged from the shower to turn it on. Instead, make a habit of running your bathroom fan while you shower so that it can combat all of that added moisture in the air and help keep the atmosphere as cool as possible. If you dont have an exhaust fan in your bathroom, bring in a local plumbing and HVAC company to see if installing one is an option.
Installing a Bathroom Window
You may add a window on one of your bathrooms exterior walls. Not only can a window improve your bathrooms appearance, it can also help tremendously on the ventilation front. If youre not keen on the idea of having a permanent draft in your bathroom, keep in mind that just because you choose to install a bathroom window doesnt mean that youll always have to leave it wide open. By cracking the window for even a few minutes, you can introduce a stream of fresh air into your bathroom and make it more comfortable in the process.
Cleaning Your Vents
If your bathroom air doesnt seem to be circulating well, clogged or dirty air vents could be to blame. To remedy this, try giving your vents a thorough cleaning. If youre not sure how to tackle the task yourself, hire a local air duct cleaning company to do the job for you. You might be surprised at what a difference a single vent cleaning makes.
Adding More Vents
If running your exhaust fan doesnt seem to be doing the job and your bathroom is not a good candidate for a window, another option for improving ventilation is to hire an HVAC company to install custom ductwork. By adding more vents, you can turn an otherwise stuffy bathroom environment into an airy and pleasant one.
Leaving the Bathroom Door Open
Its natural to want privacy while you shower, but if you live alone or have a bathroom thats only accessible via your bedroom, you can leave the door open a crack to improve ventilation and prevent the buildup of moisture and steam. If your living situation isnt conducive to this solution, make a habit of opening the bathroom door once you get a chance to throw on some clothes after showering. This process will at least allow some of that hot air to dissipate, making your post-shower bathroom atmosphere just a bit less stifling.
Opening that Shower Door
If your shower happens to come equipped with a glass door, opening it once youre done bathing can also improve bathroom ventilation. This will help the steam travel through the air more quickly, and in some cases, it might also help reduce the chances of a mold or mildew buildup.
Your bathroom is one of those places that you just cant avoid, so you should do what it takes to make it as comfortable as possible. If the air flow in your bathroom isnt what youd like it to be, contact an experienced plumbing and HVAC company to learn about your options for improving the situation.
