Extractor Fan in bathroom - essential?

M

musicfan

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Hi All
I have an extractor fan in our ensuite that comes on when the light is switched on. However, its making sounds sick and needs to be fixed . Just wondering how essential this is as there is a window in the ensuite for ventilation?
Thanks
 
Not essential at all. Fans are usually only used where there is no window.

Leave the window on half-lock (if it's an option) and it'll be fine.
 
I assume you do not have a window since you have a fan. If you don,t have an openable window, than a fan is essential(as per building regulations) you will certainly need it on when you shower.
 
I have on in my ensuite which was recently fitted and I leave the window on night vent. I got the fan because the ceiling keeps getting mould growing on it. Its still happening though even when the fan is on and also window on night vent. Any idea what else could be the cause? Could the fan not be powerful enough?
 
Thanks for that. I only got it fitted about 2 weeks ago, thats whats annoying me. Ah well, I suppose I'll just go get another and bring the one I have back and ask them if they've any idea what the problem is.
 
Ducky said:
I have on in my ensuite which was recently fitted and I leave the window on night vent. I got the fan because the ceiling keeps getting mould growing on it. Its still happening though even when the fan is on and also window on night vent. Any idea what else could be the cause? Could the fan not be powerful enough?
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Bleach. Mould - if present - will flourish in damp conditions. If you wash down the bathroom with a bleach solution it will kill off the mould. Worked for me.
 
Building regulations - for new builds- state that it is necessary to have a extractor fan in place for reasons mentioned above (mould,dampness). So it is worth replacing with a good one.
 
Ducky said:
I have on in my ensuite which was recently fitted and I leave the window on night vent. I got the fan because the ceiling keeps getting mould growing on it. Its still happening though even when the fan is on and also window on night vent. Any idea what else could be the cause? Could the fan not be powerful enough?
Click to expand...

This previous thread from myself might give some advice. At this stage I just clean the mould away with bleach every few weeks and it only takes a few minutes and a very small amount of bleach/parazone.
 
Hi Sueellen,

At the moment, I do use bleach to take it off and have also painted over it a number of times over the last few months so at this stage, I'd rather just get the problem resolved. I'm going to get a new fan this week and see if that works. I did call the electrician that fitted it and he said there was no reason the one he fitted shouldn't be working....but its not so I'll try another one.

Thanks for your replys...
 
Ducky,

We had the window on night vent and an extractor fan and found that the only way to prevent mould build up is to open the window fully after each shopwer/bath for a few minutes until the steam dispersed. We haven't had to remove mould since we started this routine.

Keeping the door of the bathroom closed at the same time stops the damp from getting to other parts of the house.

Our extractor fan is quite powerful but its not enough and the easiest way to ventilate the room quickly is to open the window.
 
I find a fan isn't enough where there isn't a window. Where this a window, I've never needed a fan. I'm about to install a large fan in an ensuite in an attempt to get rid of the mould which keeps coming back.
 
Well, what I'm really trying to avoid is having to open a window at 6.30am on a cold winters morning after a shower! I've tried leaving the ensuite door open and it does help but as you say, it could spread to the bedroom then. If a stronger one is not going to work either, I really have no idea what to do. My boyfriend is due to go to an electrical shop this week to find out a bit more about them so hopefully we can find a better solution.
 
Its on night vent which I thought would be ok but that doesn't seem to work. Every morning I'd need to turn off the alarm downstairs and then back up to have my shower. Not a lot of hassle but I'd rather just be able to flick the switch and for the fan to do what its supposed to do. :) I paid for an electrician to put it in only weeks ago and its no better than when there was no fan there at all.
 
you need air flow to prevent mould,when you go out leave the small vents in the house windows open and leave the bathroom fan on,eventually the mould will die.
 
sparkeee said:
you need air flow to prevent mould,when you go out leave the small vents in the house windows open and leave the bathroom fan on,eventually the mould will die.
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I don't think the room I have a problem with has any airflow even with all the windows open and the fan on.
 
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