In the absence of good air exchange in the bathroom, unpleasant odors and excess moisture accumulate. This creates ideal conditions for the development of harmful flora. In the bathroom, mold and fungus, very unhealthy, immediately appear, equipment and furniture can deteriorate, and finishing materials are gradually destroyed.
A properly organized ventilation system helps maintain a healthy indoor climate. But how to prevent possible problems associated with its malfunction, and what to do if the hood stops working?
We will talk about the signs and causes of poor ventilation system performance, how to assess the performance of ventilation ducts using simple improvised means. We will also analyze typical malfunctions and explain how to repair ventilation in the toilet and bathroom with your own hands.
The content of the article:
- How is the ventilation system arranged?
- Diagnosis of problems with the hood in the bathroom
- Signs and Causes of Ventilation Failure
-
Ways to fix ventilation in the bathroom
- Method # 1 - cleaning the grill and ventilation ducts
- Method # 2 - optimizing air flow
- Method # 3 - arrangement of forced ventilation
- Method # 4 - repairing the hood fan
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
How is the ventilation system arranged?
To find and eliminate the cause of the poor-quality operation of the system, you need to understand the device and principle of operation ventilation in the bathroom and toilet.
Air circulation in apartments and houses occurs due to two types of ventilation: natural and forced. In the first case, air enters the premises through windows, doors or ventilators and is removed through special channels located in the upper part of the wall in the kitchen and in the bathroom.
Having risen along the vertical duct, air masses, together with excess moisture, dust and carbon dioxide, go into the ventilation shaft. The whole process is carried out due to the difference between the pressure and temperature of the indoor and outdoor air.
For sanitary facilities, where the level of humidity is always high, the problem of effective ventilation is especially relevant. The exhaust air in the bathroom and toilet should be removed at a rate of 25 m³ / h, in combined bathrooms - 50 m³ / h. These are the minimum standards
The efficiency of a standard ventilation system is affected by the degree of tightness of windows and walls, the condition of the ventilation ducts, and weather conditions. Therefore, the operation of natural supply and exhaust ducts is often unstable.
If the power of natural ventilation is not enough, a controlled forced system is installed in the bathroom. The quality of its work does not depend on external factors, but is determined by the performance of the fan, which increases the intensity of air exchange and speeds up the procedure for removing exhaust air, displacing it by the street. Fresh air enters the bathroom from the living rooms.
Diagnosis of problems with the hood in the bathroom
Special diagnostics aimed at checking the draft will help to assess the condition of the ventilation system. The event is held in several stages with the help of improvised means or special devices.
It is better to check the work of natural ventilation in the cold season. Before that, it is recommended to provide an inflow of fresh air: open the window or set the windows to ventilation mode. In sanitary facilities, the door should be slightly opened.
The easiest way to diagnose at home is to test with fire. You need to take a lighted match, lighter or candle and carefully bring the flame to the grill of the ventilation duct, which removes the exhaust air from the bathroom
The functionality of the ventilation ducts is assessed by the behavior of the flame brought to the grate:
- tilts towards the grate - the system is working, the thrust is normal;
- remains unchanged - no traction;
- leans towards the room - there is a reverse thrust.
It is worth considering that this technique is unsafe and highly discouraged for use by gas service specialists. If there is a leak in the house, the gas will accumulate in the ventilation shafts. Under such circumstances, an open flame can initiate a fire or explosion.
A safer way is to test with a thin sheet of paper. As in the previous case, it is brought to the ventilation hole. The paper is grasped by the bottom end and held upright near the wire rack.
If the paper is forcefully attracted to the grate and held onto it, ventilation works well. Brief adhesion or slight deviation towards the hole indicates weak traction. If nothing happens and the sheet remains stationary, the system is faulty. Paper repulsion is a sign of reverse thrust.
The outflow of air can also be felt through tactile sensations. To do this, you should wet your hand and bring your wet palm to the vent. The presence of air flow is determined by the cooling breeze.
These diagnostic options will only give a general idea of the performance of ventilation in the bathroom. It is possible to obtain a quantitative assessment of the efficiency and determine the conformity of the state of the system to the norms using special instruments - anemometers.
Anemometers measure the air flow rate in the ventilation duct. They are often used by professionals, but simple models are quite suitable for home use.
The device is brought to the ventilation grill at the distance specified in the instructions. After a few seconds, the display shows the airflow rate (V). Having fixed the resulting figure, you need to calculate the volume of air passed through the system using the formula:
Q = V x S x 360,
where
- S - cross-sectional area of the ventilation duct in m²;
- V - air flow rate.
The result is compared with the standard parameters. The optimum value for a bathroom is 25 m³ / h. The norm for combined bathrooms should be twice as much.
We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with inspection rules work of ventilation ducts in the apartment.
Signs and Causes of Ventilation Failure
When the ventilation system does not cope with its functions, problems arise. This affects the comfort of residents and can result in unpleasant health consequences.
The impaired air exchange in the bathroom can be judged by the following signs:
- high air humidity;
- deposition of abundant condensation on the mirrors and walls of the bathroom;
- unpleasant musty odors;
- the formation of rust on metal surfaces;
- destruction of finishing materials and "swelling" of furniture coatings;
- emergence fungus and mold on the ceiling, walls and corners;
- the hood in the bathroom blows in the opposite direction;
- loud noise from air ducts.
Before fixing a malfunction, you need to find out the specific cause and understand exactly where intervention is required. There can be several reasons for ventilation breakdown. The main and most common is the clogging of the ventilation shafts. Insufficient air flow also causes problems with traction.
Frequent "culprits" of disturbed air flow are tight doors and high sills in bathrooms. When using such structures, traction will be present only when the doors are open. Indoors, unpleasant odors and steam begin to accumulate
This usually happens after the installation of sealed PVC windows with double-glazed windows and additional sealing contours. They impede the flow of fresh air currents, significantly weakening the thrust.
Malfunctions in the functioning of ventilation are also due to damage or wear of the exhaust fan mechanisms, clogged filters in the grilles, and corrosive processes. Such factors lead to a deterioration in air quality and increase duct resistance.
Another reason for poor ventilation is the repair or re-equipment of the system at the neighbors.
There are several possible scenarios for the development of events:
- as a result of modernization of the layout or installation of additional equipment, ventilation ducts are blocked;
- during repairs on the top floor, the mine is clogged with construction waste;
- the creation of a strong forced inflow from below provokes reverse draft, preventing air circulation.
Although these actions by neighbors are not deliberate, they are classified as administrative violations, for which a fine is provided.
The appearance of the backdraft effect can be facilitated not only by repairs in neighboring apartments, blockage of the air duct and excessive sealing of the premises. The correct design of the exhaust system of the house, installation of ducts and additional equipment is of great importance.
Significant deviations from the vertical of the air ducts have a negative effect on the operation of the exhaust ducts, unsuccessful roof construction projects, high heat transfer rates of external walls, which will help to reduce warming.
In addition, the deterioration of air exchange is often associated with the season. Ventilation works best during the cold season. In summer, due to the practically identical temperature inside and outside, a so-called "airlock" is created in the room. With an increase in external temperature marks, natural draft always weakens.
Ways to fix ventilation in the bathroom
Having found out the reason, you can start working on troubleshooting and optimizing the functioning of the ventilation system. How to do this, we give further detailed instructions.
Method # 1 - cleaning the grill and ventilation ducts
In most cases, the ventilation system stops working due to a banal blockage. According to generally accepted rules, residents of high-rise buildings do not have the right to repair and clean engineering communications at home. To do this, it is recommended to call specialists from managers and other organizations that have permission for such types of work. But there are a few things you can do yourself.
First of all, you need to check your section of the mine going from the bathroom: remove the grate and look inside, highlighting with a flashlight. Under no circumstances should the channel be lit with a lighter or a match. When dry debris ignites, the fire will instantly spread throughout the ventilation duct.
Thoroughly clean the ventilation grill and filters, which become heavily soiled over time. It is better to do this every few months. The elements are removed, washed under running water and cleaned with a hard bristle brush. Alternatively, you can blow out the mesh with a jet of compressed air.
Anything can be in the mine: construction waste, cobwebs, dust, dead birds and rodents. Debris seen in an accessible, visible area should be carefully scooped up with a spatula, spatula or toilet brush. Then you can vacuum the area near the entrance.
After completing the measures for cleaning the channel, it is advisable to check the ventilation again using one of the listed diagnostic methods. If the problem persists, then the ventilation mine at home is clogged. So that her cleanyou need to contact the housing office or the landlord.
Method # 2 - optimizing air flow
The second way to improve the operation of the ventilation system is to optimize the air flow. Since the natural circulation of air masses is often disrupted due to the tightness of metal-plastic windows, let's start with them.
On the one hand, modern window structures retain heat, on the other hand, they impede the operation of ventilation. How to proceed in this case?
There are several options:
- frequent ventilation of the premises;
- installation of a window valve at the top of the frame;
- mounting wall inlet valve.
Keeping the windows open at all times is not the best solution in winter. It is much more reasonable to install a supply valve on the wall or order window designs with a built-in valve on top.
The supply valve is fixed in a through hole made in the wall. A protective grill is placed outside, and a sound-absorbing box inside. When installing an angle valve with flexible duct, the hole is made at an angle to the floor
An additional method for improving air exchange in the bathroom is door depressurization. If a high sill is installed in the bathroom, it is no longer worth removing it.
The problem with door tightness is solved by installing door valves, decorative grilles or rings. Grilles are available on the market in different shapes and sizes. You can pick up both a small round and a long rectangular structure
Alternatively, cut the bottom of the door leaf by about 2 cm. So the door will not fit snugly against the box, which will allow air to enter the room more freely.
Method # 3 - arrangement of forced ventilation
Due to the peculiarities of the arrangement and high humidity, the natural ventilation system in the bathrooms does not always give the desired effect. In addition, if neighbors have additional equipment installed in the ducts, this often provokes reverse draft, disrupting air exchange.
In this situation, cleaning and optimizing the inflow will not help to restore the normal operation of the ventilation system. In the absence of sufficient traction after applying the previous methods, there is only one way out - fan assembly.
Fans with a low-voltage asynchronous motor are most suitable for a bathroom. They are safe, reliable, and have low noise characteristics.
Criteria for choosing a suitable bathroom fan:
- Performance.
- Noise level.
- Power consumption and engine type.
- The degree of protection of the enclosure.
- Additional options.
The minimum performance value for a bathroom is 50 m³ / h. But it is safer to calculate the required indicator in each case individually according to the formula:
Vvent = V x (6... 8),
where
- V - the volume of the room;
- (6…8) - the limits of the frequency of air exchange, recommended for the bathroom.
To calculate the volume of a room, you need to multiply the area by the height.
If the ventilation system has a reverse draft, it is worth choosing a more powerful fan that can suppress the resistance in the duct.
It is desirable that the noise level of the device does not exceed 40 dB. It is also important to make sure that the equipment is capable of working in high humidity conditions and is protected from water ingress. The optimum degree of protection of the housing for installation in the area of the shower stall or above the bath is IP25. It is indicated on the box.
The consumed electric power depends on the speed of rotation of the blades and is about 50-200 watts. There are models with several speed modes.
Non-return fans help prevent odors from entering the bathroom from other rooms. The valve closes the section after switching off the device
Depending on the place of installation, there are wall and ceiling fans.
By the type of construction, there are:
- axial - easy to install, easy to use, average in performance;
- centrifugal - high power, noisy.
As additional functions, the device can be provided with a timer, humidity and motion sensors. The timer turns on the device simultaneously with the lighting and turns it off automatically, taking into account the preset delay time.
A useful option for the bathroom is a humidity sensor. It turns off the fan if the moisture level is exceeded. Models with motion sensors are installed in the toilets. They start the device, detecting movement within the range of sight and angle of view.
We talked in more detail about the types of fans and the intricacies of choosing the best in next article.
Installing the fan with your own hands is easy. It is necessary to supply power, adjust the dimensions of the exhaust outlet, fix the device inside the ventilation pipes or at the outlet of the socket, depending on the type of construction, and connect the switch.
Method # 4 - repairing the hood fan
If the room is equipped with forced ventilation, a sudden deterioration in air exchange may be due to the fact that the extractor fan in the bathroom has stopped working for some reason.
Untimely elimination of mechanical failures leads to problems with the electrical part. Therefore, if you notice any signs of a malfunction, it is necessary to urgently check
Fan breakdowns are divided into mechanical and electrical.
Typical signs of mechanical problems include:
- extraneous noise during work;
- reduction of shaft rotation speed - turning off manually requires considerable effort;
- shaft stop - rotation in the off state manually is impossible or occurs with significant effort.
Electrical breakdowns are accompanied by the smell of burnt wiring, activation of circuit breakers when the fan is turned on, interruptions in operation, and difficulties in the process of changing modes. The rotation speed may also decrease, but the shaft will rotate freely by hand when the instrument is turned off.
The most common problem is contamination of bearings, insufficient lubrication of moving parts.
In the presence of extraneous noise and a decrease in speed, you should:
- disassemble fan;
- clean the bearings from dust and dirt;
- lubricate the parts with a few drops of engine oil;
- assemble the device.
If the lubrication does not help, noise and shaft beating persist during operation, most likely the fan will have to be replaced. Also, replacement is made when any of the parts is destroyed, for example, an impeller.
When the device does not turn on, it is worth checking the serviceability of the switches and the power cord, the voltage on the electric motor, the performance of the capacitor, and disturbances in the power supply circuit. You will need a multimeter for this.
A common cause of fan failure is a blown fuse. In this case, users recommend trying to solder a copper wire jumper in place of the failed part and wrap it with insulating tape.
Please note that in the absence of knowledge in the field of electrical engineering and a lack of understanding of the features of the fan device, it is better not to repair yourself. It is more expedient to contact specialized workshops.
In practice, in most cases, it is more profitable buy a new devicethan repairing a broken exhaust fan in the bathroom.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
How to clean the ventilation duct from dust and dirt with your own hands:
How to eliminate noise and vibration in an exhaust fan: detailed instructions for disassembling the device and lubricating parts:
Analysis of one of the typical fan faults: what to do if the fuse is blown:
It is easier to prevent faults than to fix them. Therefore, it is worth annually testing the ventilation in the bathroom, keeping the ventilation grilles clean, and periodically cleaning the accessible areas at the entrance to the ventilation duct. It is also advisable to take measures to improve the circulation of air masses - to ventilate the premises, install window or wall valves.
If the ventilation stops working, try to determine the cause of the malfunction and use one of the appropriate methods to repair and optimize the system. In case of serious breakdowns, contact the specialists of the management companies.
Would you like to supplement the above information with helpful comments? Or if you still have questions about troubleshooting the hood, ask our experts and other site visitors - the feedback form is located below the article.
