Ventilation in the toilet and bathroom serves to remove unpleasant odors and normalize the level of humidity. In its absence, the room is not only filled with "bewitching" aromas, it creates a favorable environment for the development of harmful microorganisms, mold and fungi, which are extremely difficult to remove. In addition, the ventilation duct, the outlet of which is located in the toilet, participates in the ventilation system of the entire apartment.
Types of ventilation
In order to determine which ventilation system you need to install, you should decide on its main varieties.
The main two types of ventilation are:
- Natural ventilation - operates without the use of special devices, air moves naturally from an area of high pressure to a lower one. Fresh air enters through windows and vents, displacing polluted air that moves through the vents in the kitchen and bathroom and exits through the shaft.
- Forced ventilation - involves the use of fans that move air quickly and efficiently.
From the point of view of the functions performed, ventilation is divided into three types:
- Exhaust ventilation. Air exchange is carried out through exhaust ducts, it is used when it is possible to combine mechanical and natural ventilation methods.
- Forced ventilation. It works by displacing exhaust air with clean air.
- mixed ventilation. As the name implies, it involves the combination of several types of ventilation, in this case, air is simultaneously injected and forced to be removed.
In apartment buildings, exits to the ventilation shaft are located in the toilet or bathroom, as well as in the kitchen, since, in accordance with sanitary standards, more air pollution is allowed here compared to residential premises. Air streams move from living rooms to these rooms, and then they are brought out through the ventilation ducts.
How to determine the quality of ventilation
Most apartment buildings are designed for natural ventilation, but it may not be enough for normal air exchange. Even with a properly organized natural ventilation system, there is no guarantee that this system will work effectively.
Identifying a problem with ventilation efficiency is quite simple. Hold a strip of paper up to the vent, with sufficient air circulation, it should stick to the grate.
In urban apartments of old buildings, strong traction is rarely observed, however, if during the test the paper does not move at all, everything indicates obvious problems and problems with ventilation, which can be caused by blockages, improper actions of other residents and some other reasons, which should be eliminated contact the management company.
If draft is present, but the intensity of air exchange is insufficient, the organization of forced ventilation in the toilet will help to improve it. Buying a small fan and connecting it will not take you a lot of money and time, but it will significantly improve air quality.
The toilet may have its own outlet to the ventilation duct, but in some cases it is located in the bathroom, and air exchange occurs through a hole in the wall between the bathroom and the toilet.
Fan selection
Fans are divided into three types:
- Axial fans. The most common variety. Differ in simplicity of a design, ability to remove rather large volumes of air.However, when resistance occurs, the performance of the device decreases in proportion to its value.
- Duct fans. They are rarely used in apartments, because they are quite difficult to install. Performance is superior to axial models.
- Centrifugal fans. Compared to axial ones, they are more expensive (2–3 times) and less productive (2–3 times), overall. However, they are able to create significant pressure, allowing air masses to overcome significant heights with minimal losses.
Choosing the Right Toilet Fan
In typical urban apartments, a vertical ventilation duct is usually installed, for which a centrifugal fan is the best option.
Worse results will be shown by a duct ventilation device. Such fans are best used when combining several ventilation ducts or when it becomes necessary to hide the device in a hemmed ceiling structure.
Mounting an axial fan only makes sense for short horizontal ducts.
We recommend paying attention to fan models equipped with additional options (you will need to lay a separate power line):
- With check valve. Due to its design features, such a fan will not allow air from the mine to pass back into the room. Residents of apartment buildings will benefit from the fact that they will no longer be forced to inhale the odors that enter through the ventilation from neighboring apartments.
- With motion sensor. The device will turn on when a person enters the toilet, and when he leaves, the fan turns off.
- With a timer. A certain program is set to ensure continuous operation of the fan for 2–30 minutes.
- With humidity sensor. Automatic inclusion of the device at achievement of humidity in the room of a certain level.
- with ventilation mode. The fan does not stop its work, but carries it out at minimum speed.
Installation of ventilation in the toilet
Sequence of work on installation of forced ventilation will be as follows:
- We install the purchased fan from the exit side of the ventilation shaft. If there is such a need, we expand the hole with a puncher. In the event that the situation develops, on the contrary, and the ventilation duct has an outlet that is too large, then a pipe of suitable dimensions is mounted, and the free space is filled with mounting foam. The fan is fixed using self-tapping screws or adhesive.
If the walls of your toilet room are tiled, then it is better to fix the fan with glue so as not to spoil it.
- We supply power to a pre-installed fan. The best option is to conduct a separate line at the repair stage. If the repair has already been made, there are two ways out: you can lay the wiring in the channels punched on the walls, and then return them to their original appearance, or be powered from the ceiling lamp. When implementing the latter option, you will need to purchase a plastic cable channel, which is mounted as accurately as possible from the lighting fixture to the fan. Electrical wires are hidden in it.
- We connect the installed equipment for ventilation using terminal blocks. Twisting for these purposes is prohibited. Wires are brought in through openings specially provided on the case of the ventilating device.
Don't forget to follow security measures. All electrical installation work is carried out only when the power supply system is completely de-energized.
As you can see, installing a hood in the toilet with your own hands is not a laborious process, it is quite simple. When performing the described actions, the exhaust system will start working when the light is turned on.
A few important points
If you are interested in how to make ventilation in the apartment so that your time and effort are not wasted, and the exhaust system works efficiently and without failures, listen to our advice:
- Mount the fan opposite the door. Its installation on the same wall with the door weakens the air circulation.
- Before installing the fan, be sure to clean the ventilation duct.
- The expansion of the vent increases the intensity of the hood.
- During installation, the hood is completely deepened into the shaft, only its grille looks out.
- Sealant can act as an adhesive during installation. Additionally, it will improve sound insulation, reduce the vibration of a running fan.
