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AIBU?

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To want an extractor fan in bathroom

20 replies

Biscuits1011 · 30/11/2022 12:46

We rent privately. Through an estate agent. Lived here roughly 5 years. We’ve never had an extractor fan in the bathroom, but we’ve always cracked the window open a bit after showers and been fine. Recently because of the cost of living, heating costing a lot more, I’m not wanting to keep the window open much. We still open it while we shower, but it does get shut soon after as it’s an old house and doesn’t keep the heat very well anyway.

windows are all single glazed, so it’s hard enough warming the house.

we recently noticed black mould in the bathroom, I told the letting agent that I will of course get some spray for it, but we would appreciate having an extractor fan fitted. Landlord said no, that we should keep the window open and put the heating on more. I have the heating on 3 times a day for an hour each time, I can’t afford to put it on more!

aibu asking for one?! I’m now doubting wether I’m being cheeky asking for it.. but I guess ultimately it’s the landlords decision so I can’t do much about it.

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KnickerlessParsons · 30/11/2022 12:50

Keep the window open and close the door. It's what we do and it works (not rented).

Biscuits1011 · 30/11/2022 12:52

Well that’s what we do, but it’s freezing in there and it’s not exactly pleasant! And we still have the mould…

OP posts:

DelilahBucket · 30/11/2022 12:54

We have a brilliant extractor fan, but still have to open the window after a shower. It won't be the solution to your issue. The landlord is right that you do need to have the windows open in the house more often. Through them wide open for five minutes if you don't want them open a little all the time. If you do that in the bathroom the vast majority of the steam will leave very quickly.

TiptoeThroughTheToadstools · 30/11/2022 12:56

Buy a Unibond Aero 360, it costs about £10 from B&Q or amazon etc. We have a couple of these round the house including the bathroom and it does a great job, think it lasts about 3 months then you have to replace the filter. It's small and would fit on a shelf or window ledge

FlounderingFruitcake · 30/11/2022 12:56

Window open is a stupid solution. What if you go out straight after showers, e.g. to work - it would be a huge security risk. And even if you are at home then why the need to heat the rest of the house even if it’s not needed just to deal with bathroom condensation.

Hont1986 · 30/11/2022 12:58

Without adequate ventilation (and ''cracking the window open for a bit" doesn't sound adequate) then you will definitely grow mould. And the landlord is not going to keep renting to you if you are willingly growing mould in the property. So I guess it's up to you how long you want to stay there really.

ReadyForPumpkins · 30/11/2022 12:59

We have an extractor fan and still keeps the window open for 15min. It's the recommendation. The extractor fan helps to keep it drier. You don't replace it with not opening the window.

I'd close the door and open the window like another PP suggested.

Getoff · 30/11/2022 13:00

I think window open, even if only a crack, and bathroom door closed, is a reasonable solution. I think extractor fans are only a necessity for windowless bathrooms.

Biscuits1011 · 30/11/2022 13:00

FlounderingFruitcake · 30/11/2022 12:56

Window open is a stupid solution. What if you go out straight after showers, e.g. to work - it would be a huge security risk. And even if you are at home then why the need to heat the rest of the house even if it’s not needed just to deal with bathroom condensation.

Well yes there is that, the bathroom is on the ground floor so keeping it open while we are out isn’t happening.

OP posts:

monsteronahill · 30/11/2022 13:01

If you're opening the window and ventilating that way, it won't be more effective to have an extractor fan (a window is better!) and the fans normally turn off after a few minutes with the light being off, that won't do enough if it's mould issue.

If you've been there for five years heating and ventilating well and there's been no issue - the mould recently appearing is because you've changed how you're ventilating and heating the house - although bills are getting more expensive, that's not really a reason for your landlord to spend ££ installing an extractor fan when the bathroom can be ventilated properly another way as you've been doing for 5 years.

Extractor fans make the room continuously colder in my experience as even with cap covers they're open to the outside constantly!

Biscuits1011 · 30/11/2022 13:02

We do keep the window open! While we shower and for a while afterward! But we’re still getting the mould and I can’t keep the window open at all times as it’s on the ground floor and when we are out that’s not ideal.

OP posts:

Getoff · 30/11/2022 13:02

Throughout the 1990's I lived a small new-build flat, two showers a day, did not have windows open in winter, and had no issues with mould. The windows were all single-glazed, but the wood frames did have trickle vents in them.

CrochetIsCool · 30/11/2022 13:02

Last year we had a problem with some penetrating damp in one bedroom due to failed pointing and leaking gutter and some internal mold in the bathroom inspiye of opening the window regularly. Landlord sent a builder to assess work needed. In addition to the pointing and gutter repairs, he recommended additional wall insulation for the bedroom, an extractor fan in the bathroom which would come on automatically when moisture levels increased aswell as with the light and a a trickle extractor on the landing, again triggered by moisture. Landlord agreed to all of the work - sorry your landlord is not so good.

Biscuits1011 · 30/11/2022 13:04

TiptoeThroughTheToadstools · 30/11/2022 12:56

Buy a Unibond Aero 360, it costs about £10 from B&Q or amazon etc. We have a couple of these round the house including the bathroom and it does a great job, think it lasts about 3 months then you have to replace the filter. It's small and would fit on a shelf or window ledge

I will check that out, thank you.

OP posts:

FlounderingFruitcake · 30/11/2022 13:04

I’m confused my posters saying they have windows open with the extractor going. If you do have a fan aren’t you supposed to keep doors and windows shut to allow the warm damp air to rise and be sucked out by the extractor? And heavier dry air will get in via the gap under the bathroom door, and be at the bottom which exactly where you want it. Outside air from a mid height just mixes it all up and makes the extractor ineffective. Or am I missing something?

Sorry not relevant to OP though!

grrrcovid · 30/11/2022 13:22

I do think an extractor fan will help. I have a very good extractor fan, 6 inch rather than usual 4 inch. I have the window open a little when showering, with the fan on also, to help some steam escape. I shut the window as soon as I get out of the shower. The fan then does its work, and for 20 minutes after we turn the light off. Bathroom door is shut and toilet seat down too. My bathroom is the coldest room in the house, downstairs, outside walls, flat roof but this combination works for me. No mould in 8 years.

bathorshower · 30/11/2022 13:43

How long are your showers? We don't have an extractor, and don't have a problem with mould, but that's probably because we are able to heat to a reasonable degree, and have the most pathetic shower ever. If anyone is having really long showers, that will contribute.

When we've had heating issues, we've put a fan heater in the bathroom for 15 mins before using it to make the temperature pleasant for bathing, but without running the boiler specially.

leafblowaway · 30/11/2022 13:47

@monsteronahill "the fans normally turn off after a few minutes with the light being off

That is a timer you set, you can make it go on for shorter or longer periods. Ours are set to the longest timer which in ours are 15 minutes after the light is switched off. If you want yours on longer google your fan and see how to do it. It is inside the housing and hidden away. More modern fans have humidistats and keep going until they no longer detect moisture in the air. Some are now controlled via apps where you can customise a lot of the settings. A 6 inch fan is far better than a 4 inch fan plus type of ducting, length of ducting etc makes a difference to the fan's efficiency.

OP surely the landlord doesn't want his property to develop a mould problem. He really should get a fan installed.

Biscuits1011 · 30/11/2022 14:34

bathorshower · 30/11/2022 13:43

How long are your showers? We don't have an extractor, and don't have a problem with mould, but that's probably because we are able to heat to a reasonable degree, and have the most pathetic shower ever. If anyone is having really long showers, that will contribute.

When we've had heating issues, we've put a fan heater in the bathroom for 15 mins before using it to make the temperature pleasant for bathing, but without running the boiler specially.

Not overly long but there is me, my partner and 7 kids who shower most days!

OP posts:

Northernsoullover · 30/11/2022 14:36

If they won't put one in contact your environmental health department. They should be fitted as standard.

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