Why is proper bathroom ventilation so important? Here’s the answer!

A well-designed bathroom is not just about the proper placement of the sanitary ware, but also a properly designed room ventilation system. What is it for? Is its presence really that important? What are the consequences of a lack of ventilation in a bathroom? You’ll find all of that below. Have a look!

Bathroom ventilation: is it a necessity?

Before we get into whether bathroom ventilation is a necessity, it’s worth explaining exactly what it is. The term refers to a system that removes polluted air from a room and supplies fresh air in its place. In a bathroom it plays an especially important role — it also removes excess vapour produced during each household member’s bath or shower.

Is it really necessary? Absolutely! Regulations governing bathroom ventilation are strictly defined for every type of building, both private and public. However, it’s not just because of potential criminal liability that every bathroom should have it.

What are the consequences of no bathroom ventilation?

Properly functioning ventilation is important for correct air circulation throughout the entire home, as it is largely through this route that stale air from other rooms is extracted.

It is, however, primarily responsible for the condition of the bathroom itself. A lack of bathroom ventilation brings a host of problems that not only damage the building but also affect the household’s health. Moisture settling on walls, the ceiling and even cabinets will soak into them, creating an ideal environment for the growth of fungi and bacteria, and even harmful mould.

Ineffective ventilation will leave the bathroom stuffy, which greatly reduces comfort. Unfortunately, that’s not the biggest issue — the illnesses such living conditions can cause in occupants can be far more serious. Above all, there’s general malaise, but not only that. Very often there are allergies, as well as more serious respiratory conditions.

How to tell that your bathroom ventilation is inadequate?

You can spot problems with the proper functioning of bathroom ventilation very easily. How? Just look around the room after a bath or shower. What should you look out for?

One sign of ventilation failure is water vapour condensing on wall tiles, the floor, the mirror or the window, if there is one in the bathroom. If the issue is severe, you’ll see droplets on the ceiling as well. It’s also worth checking the walls and ceiling to see whether mould has appeared. Its presence indicates the problem is well advanced.

Perpetually damp towels or moisture lingering on furniture surfaces, or even on toiletries kept in the bathroom, can also indicate insufficient ventilation. If you have bath mats in the bathroom, they’ll be damp too.

How can you improve bathroom ventilation?

One of the fundamental systems is natural (stack) ventilation. What if it’s not delivering the expected results? The first thing to check is the ventilation grille above the shower or the bath (that’s where it’s usually installed, though not necessarily). Just place your hand over it — you should feel air movement.

A lack of airflow may indicate that the shaft is blocked at some level, causing the ventilation to fail. In such cases the ducting should be cleaned — report the issue to the building management if you live in an apartment block, or book a specialist service if you own a house.

If the problem is more severe, mechanical ventilation can be a good solution. Installing a small electric fan will efficiently remove moisture. It’s also worth remembering that a bathroom with a window but no ventilation system isn’t the best solution. A tightly closed window (for example due to the weather or a sense of security) won’t expel moisture, causing it to build up in the room. So even in bathrooms with a window, it’s worth ensuring there’s another ventilation system in place.