Wet walls, fogging windows, damp surfaces: if you’ve got these in your bathroom, chances are you’ve got a ventilation issue. Your bathroom fan is likely your first culprit, but there’s also a chance you’ve got deeper underlying ventilation problems you need to address. Today, we’re going to look at when your fan needs cleaning or maintenance, when to replace a bathroom exhaust fan, and when you need a ventilation inspection.
Signs Your Bathroom Fan Needs Maintenance
A fan in need of cleaning and maintenance can sneak up on you. If you’ve got any of the following issues, it’s time to inspect and clean your fan.
- Foggy Mirrors: If your mirrors didn’t fog before, this is one of the first indicators of reduced fan performance.
- Damp Surfaces & Humid Air: If the surfaces and air in the bathroom remain damp even after a shower, this is a more serious indicator.
- Stale Air & Musty Odors: If the air doesn’t clear for a long time after using the bathroom or there are persistent musty odors, you may have little to no airflow.
If you’re having any of these issues, it’s time to clean your fan. Get a stepstool or ladder so you can reach the unit and find its make and model, then search online for cleaning and maintenance instructions. Generally, you’ll need to disconnect the fan from the ceiling and clean it thoroughly of dust with paper towels and surface cleaner.
Replacing Your Bathroom Exhaust Fan
If cleaning doesn’t resolve these issues or your bathroom exhaust fan isn’t working, getting a replacement is the best place to start. Your best option is to get a ventilation consultation from a home performance company. They can recommend and install the best bathroom ventilation problem as well as troubleshoot ventilation issues (see below). If not, make sure to pick a high-rated bathroom exhaust fan that matches the dimensions and setup of your old fan.
Dealing with Underlying Ventilation Issues
If a fan replacement doesn’t solve your problems, or if you get an inspection of your ventilation, you may have serious underlying issues beyond a busted fan.
- Ventilation Inspection: If you haven’t already, you’ll want to have your ventilation system checked. This includes ductwork, exhaust vents, HVAC, and more. Make sure to get a full home evaluation, not an energy audit, for the best results.
- Vent Cleaning & Sealing: Sometimes the issue is minor; the vents haven’t been cleaned in a while, and dust has built up. Vents might also be leaking and will need to be sealed to suck out air of a room properly.
- Ductwork Repair & Installation: Your fan may be installed incorrectly into your ventilation and ductwork system. It may be best to repair, replace, or install additional ductwork and exhaust vents in your home.
Your St. Louis Ventilation and Fan Installation Experts
At Greenmark Home Performance, we believe in combining ventilation inspections, ventilation services, and bathroom renovations into a single service. Our full evaluations will provide you with the information you need to make a well-informed decision, including air quality testing to determine whether mold issues are due to poor ventilation. Our St. Louis offices are standing by to help: start your estimate today or call us at (314) 845-9144!
