Do I need a bathroom extractor fan?
Bathrooms create a lot of steam in a short time. Without proper ventilation, that moisture can sit on walls, ceilings, grout, silicone and furniture.
Why ventilation matters
Good ventilation helps remove warm, damp air before it turns into condensation. That protects paint, plaster, silicone, grout, furniture and the general feel of the room.
Opening a window can help, but it is not always enough, especially in winter, internal bathrooms or busy family homes.
What an extractor fan does
An extractor fan pulls damp air out of the bathroom and sends it outside through a wall, roof or duct route. The right fan depends on the room size, duct length and where the fan can be fitted.
Timer and humidity-controlled fans can be helpful because they keep running after the shower has finished.
When fitting a new bathroom
Ventilation should be planned early, not added as an afterthought. The route for the ducting, the electrical supply and the outside grille all need to make sense.
Bathroom electrics should always be handled by a suitably qualified person because bathrooms have specific safety zones.
Signs ventilation needs attention
- Mirror and windows stay wet long after a shower.
- Paint peels or dark marks appear on the ceiling.
- Silicone goes mouldy quickly.
- The room smells damp or musty.
- There is no fan in a bathroom without an opening window.