Window Ventilation And Light Problems
Most bathrooms have windows and these windows can be used
for ventilation, as well as natural lighting. I have worked on bathrooms
where the windows have been painted shut or are rarely opened. This
provides light but not the proper ventilation necessary to remove
moisture from warm showers or baths.
Moisture without proper ventilation can eventually lead to mold and
mildew and if left to long can lead to wood rot and termites. Moisture
over long periods of time can cause damage to your house and this damage
leads to money usually coming out of your pocket.
If you have a bathroom without windows, you should have a fan to draw
the moist air safely out of the house. This fan is usually operated with
an electrical switch, normally located next to the bathroom light
switch. In some bathrooms the light switch operates the fan and the
light at the same time.
If you have a bathroom where the light switch operates the light and the
ventilation fan at the same time, you could have problems with the fans
operation, due to long periods of usage. These fans seem to run for long
periods of time, especially if the bathroom light is left on overnight
or while on vacation.
Most of these bathroom ventilation fans can be replaced inexpensively
and easily. There is normally one screw to remove and an electrical
plug, to disconnect, which is located in the fan unit. These units can
usually be purchased for around $20 at your local home improvement
center.
If you don't have a window in the bathroom, you lose natural lighting
and natural ventilation. Now you are going to rely entirely on
electricity to ventilate and light your bathroom whenever it is used.
This isn't a good thing for the environment, especially if you spend
lots of time in the bathroom. A suggestion if possible would be to
install a window or a skylight to add some lighting and save electrical
usage.
I walked into a home one time for an estimate and found a painted window
in the bathroom. Someone had actually painted what looked like a window
with a nice view of a country farm. I loved it. Creativity can add
comfort to your lifestyle and should be used constantly.
If the bathroom is located in the center of the house, you'll have very
little options to provide the bathroom with natural lighting and
ventilation.