The way your kitchen and bathroom(s) are venting can contribute to your mold risk, and there are common mistakes people make when installing or altering venting that can be problematic. Venting is important in mold prevention because it prevents moisture and stagnancy, but improper venting allows for both environments to occur. The end result is a mold-friendly environment, but it can be prevented if you know what to look for.
Venting Mistakes in Your Kitchen and Bathroom
1. Not connected to the roof.
During new construction, most vents are properly connected to roof ventilation types, but this isn’t always the case. More often, vents are not properly connected to the exterior because the vent was installed after the house was built. Older homes are more likely to have this problem. The result of an improperly ventilated fan in a kitchen or bathroom is that moisture sucked from those rooms typically lands in the attic. The attic then gets too much moisture and becomes a mold haven. Even if you have a newly constructed home, it is worth a quick look in your attic space to make sure everything is vented properly.
2. Different vent types.
You may have different vent types installed on your roof, which can reduce the efficacy of the vents depending on the airflow they require. Some vents may work well together, but if you note that your vent types are different, you might find out if they are running correctly.
3. Lack of maintenance.
Vents also need to be cleaned or filters replaced as indicated depending on the type of vent. If you have a hood in your kitchen that is not vented to the outside of the home, it likely has a filter that needs to be replaced. Not only can filters get moldy, but unclean vents can strain the fan’s motor, which will reduce its life expectancy. If you need to make any replacements to your vent, it might be worth visiting Home Depot to see some of their ventilation parts. That could improve your ventilation. Make sure to also use a Home Depot coupon too. That will help you to save money on these parts.
4. Improper installation.
There are many details about attic venting and kitchen/bathroom venting that should be handled by a professional. Especially for attic ventilation, there should be balance and the proper amount of venting to keep the home efficient. For all venting fixtures, proper finishing and flashing are necessary to prevent roof leaks that could damage the wooden structures of the home. Basically, if you don’t know how to install it properly, make sure you hire a reputable professional to do the job.
Venting mistakes are a mold risk.
Avoiding moisture in the home has a lot to do with ventilation, and proper ventilation will ensure that your home stays mold free.