Poor ventilation can cause all sorts of problems, from stale air and lingering smells to condensation. Here are 5 tips to improve ventilation in your home.
This might sound like an obvious one, but people often neglect to open any windows when drying clothes in a room or when cooking or showering, especially when it’s cold outside. However, simply opening your windows when doing these things is a great way to improve ventilation, especially if you do so using certain methods.
Cross ventilation is where you open window on opposite sides of the room to create a current of air, drawing fresh, cooler air into the room and pushing warm, stale air out the other side. To ensure maximum efficiency, the window facing into the wind should be opened less than the one on the opposite side of the room.
Hot air rises because it is less dense than cold air and the stack ventilation method takes advantage of this. As the hot air rises, a vacuum effect is created, drawing air up from lower levels. Therefore, opening windows lower down and opening a roof window will cause fresh air to be sucked in and old hot air to be pushed out.
Extractor fans are important additions to ensure better ventilation in high-humidity areas in your home, such as kitchens and bathrooms, to reduce the likelihood of condensation and damp problems. Extractor fans and exhaust hoods draw hot and humid air away so that moisture doesn’t build up on your walls and ceiling. As well as helping keep condensation and mould growth under control, extractor fans also help remove toxic smoke and gases from a room.
It may be that your ventilation problem is underfoot; if so, no amount of window opening will help. If the underfloor cavity of your home is suffering with damp, then the integrity of your floorboards could be at risk. If this is the case, then it is likely that your air bricks are blocked or damaged and will require replacement.
Are you struggling with poor ventilation in your home and are looking for a lasting solution? Our damp experts in Dorset & Hampshire are ready to provide you with the guidance and solutions your need. Contact our team today on 01202 737739.
