Extractor fan in bathroom

vikkic

My fairly large bathroom is fully tiled floor to ceiling with a small double glazed window. After a bath or shower the room is running in water even though I leave door open and have dehumidifier in hallway. I'm assuming this is due to the tiles and am currently replacing suite and tiles with aim of just tiles round bath/basin where needed. Will an extractor fan solve this problem, and if so am I able to install it into a double glazed window as I'm in a first floor flat with a flat above.

Cheers
Vikki

bruce2110

it would be easier (i think) to put an extractor fan through the wall once you have removed all your tiles ect, personally, i have never installed an extractor fan through a double glazed window so i dont know how easy/difficult this would be!!

most extractor fans come as a kit, with internal and external pannels included, this will require some electrical work which i recommend getting a professional to complete for you

hope this helps!

bruce2110

star1_2

Have you considered a fan mounted in the ceiling .... might be easier than making a hole in the wall or through a double glazed window. I've used in-line fan units sold for showers in a couple of bath rooms, they vent out to the soffit boards (providing you can get access to these) .... Screwfix sell them, and they work well too !!

Hope that helps.

bruce2110

good idea star1, having these types of extractor fans do make the electrical work easier as well!!

djohn2002uk

Star 1, you need to read the OP again. Ceiling is out of the question, there is a flat above. Wall seems the only option here as you wouldn't be able to get the double glazing sealed after cutting through it without the manufacturers maybe doing it at a cost.

star1_2

I helped put one into a property with a flat roof above, the ceilings were lined with plasterboard, by using expanding ducting in a rectangular profile availaibe from Wickes I think - we were able to use the Screwfix in-line shower fan, they also sell box to round convertors, this was fitted at the edge of the celing to minimise the needs for long runs, via/inside the roof void and out, it was installed above their ceiling, but below the concreate slab of the solid floor/roof above, fairly easy to do and was completed in less than an hour, it was then vented to outside through an overhanging sofit area.

As i'm sure you will appreciate the orional poster needs to assess the suitability of all the suggestions we make - for their particular instalation and see whats feasable and whats not - the type of constuction of their ceiling and any voids is not mentioned.

vikkic

Yes, the problem is the flat above mine. I can't see that anyone else in the block has an extractor, which seems a bit strange to me as I can't be the only one with the problem. I'll look into the wall option as I'm getting about 2 litres a day from my dehumidifier so I've obviously got a damp problem! Can't grow plants, but can grow mould like nobody's business!

djohn2002uk

Star 1, I appreciate what you're saying but anything above the ceiling is under someone elses floorboards and therefore could be construed as in their property.

star1_2

(djohn2002uk) yes - but it would be upto the origional poster to understand the demarcation lines that exisit in their particuar property situation, and act accordingly - we're unable to think of every permutation or issue, the person actioning the solution would neeed to make sure they abide by whats feaseable and legally permitted for their situation! similar to assessing the technical suitability of the suggestions we are making - i'm sure we agree on that one! :rolleyes:

Turning to the mention of the (apparent) excessive amount of moisture being generated .... I think investigation needs to be undertaken into whats causing this .... (I'm sure others will share and have other ideas too) - is it caused by excessive showers?, steamy baths? (introducing moisture into the air?) or is moisture comming from some other source (ie. a leak)? or are wet clothes being dried in the room? Simple changes to what is being done - may see a considerable reduction in the moisture content.

There may be other causes that are not easily rectifiable .... ie . hold/cold spots - if a wall is poorly insulated where the hot meets cold will cause the condensation and generation of the mould mentioned. Therefore it may be better to always keep the room warm (if this is possible) to reduce this happening.

Lastly - there will always be moisture in a bathroom/kitchen and a need to remove it .... but the significant amounts extracted by the de-humidifier seam to be high .... I would undertake some investigtion and possibly change the way moisture is getting into the atmosphere (if at all possible). Sounds like ventalation/fan is still required - but this won't solve the mold problem, it will need to be considered as part of a 'combined solution'.

Again - these are mearly suggestions (as is anthing that anyone posts on these boards) - people need to assess the suitablility of all ideas that people provide as to their particular circumstances !

robowen

Warm air + Cold tiles = condensation.
We solved our problem by getting rid of all the tiles in the bathroom and only placing a selected few around the bath and sink. We have a separate shower cubicle all tiled except ceiling. Strangely.....no condensation We've no vent except an opening window.

Vents can be installed into double glazing units. Glazing firms can do this for you....its not hugely expensive. The current glass would have to be replaced completely. Drawbacks are : the glass is open to cracking and the unit seals failing.

rob

beefster

Any builder / handyman worth tuppence will put an extractor thru the wall in a couple of hours. The crucial tool is a 4 inch/100mm core cutter and a drill to match. all available for your hire shop if you are a DIY'er. The difficult bit from a flat / appartment point of view is the electrical supply within a bathroom.

If you want to link it to the light switch where it comes on with the light and has a run on timer, you need to get into the ceiling space.

Low voltage fans are available too which gets around the legislation of spacing of a mains operated item and a water source..... I think!! someone will put me right if not.

The electrical supply will be your main concern I think.