I love old houses and renovating them, so I tend to troll chat rooms full of discussions about how to get older homes to accommodate new technology that gives us the creature comforts our ancestors could only dream about.
I find that some DIY-ers have a lot of enthusiasm, but less knowledge or common sense when it comes to some of the projects. One in particular that seems to crop up time and again is about venting exhaust fans in attics and crawl spaces.
They want to remove the moist air from the bathroom (in particular) but then decide to just cut a hole in the ceiling or floor (if you can believe that!) and install the van. That's it. They just let the fan draw the water-filled air into the attic or crawl space instead of running a vent to the ceiling or foundation - whichever to get it out of the house.
Moisture control in the attic and crawl space is as important as moisture control inside the home. When trusses and insulation get damp, mildew and mold starts to grow. Not only is it a health hazard, the wood starts to deteriorate and weaken and the insulation is ruined, stops doing its job and must be replaced.
An attic fan or crawl space ventilating fan may help, but the best solution in this scenario is to install the vent to run the moisture-filled air outside.
It's one more step in the installation process, but, believe me, it is well worth the extra time and effort - not to mention the dollar savings in the long run.
If you are purchasing an older home, exhaust fan ventilation should be one of the items on the home inspector's checklist. Often, the fix can be a part of the purchase agreement and completed before the sale is final.
If you already own an older home, check to see where the exhaust fans vent and correct any problems right away. While you're at it, check the beams and insulation for mold and mildew. You might just save yourself a major repair in the future.
-Elaine of the AirFlow Technology Blog Team
I find that some DIY-ers have a lot of enthusiasm, but less knowledge or common sense when it comes to some of the projects. One in particular that seems to crop up time and again is about venting exhaust fans in attics and crawl spaces.They want to remove the moist air from the bathroom (in particular) but then decide to just cut a hole in the ceiling or floor (if you can believe that!) and install the van. That's it. They just let the fan draw the water-filled air into the attic or crawl space instead of running a vent to the ceiling or foundation - whichever to get it out of the house.
Moisture control in the attic and crawl space is as important as moisture control inside the home. When trusses and insulation get damp, mildew and mold starts to grow. Not only is it a health hazard, the wood starts to deteriorate and weaken and the insulation is ruined, stops doing its job and must be replaced.
An attic fan or crawl space ventilating fan may help, but the best solution in this scenario is to install the vent to run the moisture-filled air outside. It's one more step in the installation process, but, believe me, it is well worth the extra time and effort - not to mention the dollar savings in the long run.
If you are purchasing an older home, exhaust fan ventilation should be one of the items on the home inspector's checklist. Often, the fix can be a part of the purchase agreement and completed before the sale is final.
If you already own an older home, check to see where the exhaust fans vent and correct any problems right away. While you're at it, check the beams and insulation for mold and mildew. You might just save yourself a major repair in the future.
-Elaine of the AirFlow Technology Blog Team
Powered by Compendium
Comments for Be sure exhaust fans are properly vented to the outside