BATHROOM EXHAUST FANS VENTING
Your bathroom exhaust fan helps to keep your bathroom fresh, and more importantly, it removes moisture vapors generated from bathing and other activities. This prevents condensation on walls and fixtures. Without proper exhaust, moisture condensation can do serious damage to drywall, wallpaper, window coverings, and cabinetry in your bathroom. It may also lead to serious mold issues.
DRYER EXHAUST VENTING
Your clothing dryer removes moisture from your laundry and exhausts the moisture vapor out through a duct to prevent moisture problems in your laundry room, much the same as your bathroom exhaust fan does in the bathroom.
A FREQUENT PROBLEM IN CHICAGO METRO AREA HOMES
Many homeowners believe their bath fans and dryer ducts are venting outside. Too often, this is not the case. We regularly find bath fans and dryers venting into their attic space. When configured this way, moisture from bathing and laundry is released into the attic where it collects on attic surfaces and insulation. This can cause mold issues, significantly reduce the effectiveness of insulation, and eventually lead to costly structural damage. It may also be a problem if you are planning to sell your home. Proper bathroom fans and dry venting are standard checklist items for Home Inspectors.
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STRUCTURAL DAMAGE IN THE ATTIC
Moisture left unaddressed can lead to the deterioration of wood structures that support your roof and the frame of your home. The moisture weakens the wood by slowly destroying individual wood fibers, layer by layer.
INSULATION DAMAGE
Attic moisture can also destroy or retard the performance of your attic insulation. Insulation loses its insulating capacity when wet. When your insulation is not doing its job, you pay for it in utility costs all year round.
MOLD LOVES MOISTURE
Mold thrives in moist environments and can expand rapidly. Once mold colonies expand in your attic, spores easily pass down to living spaces. For occupants suffering from allergies, asthma, or other breathing disorders mold can lead to serious health problems. There are dozens of mold species, some more dangerous than others. It is near impossible to determine a mold species by the naked eye. If you have mold in your attic, we recommend hiring a professional mold company to ensure total eradication.
SIGNS OF TROUBLE
If you are seeing dark stains on wood surfaces, you likely have mold developing. If the wood is soft and flaking, it is deteriorating from moisture. Correcting problems at this stage could be very expensive.
AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVE
Have all of your bath exhaust fans and the dryer exhaust checked! Both should be connected to a sealed and insulated duct that routes the moisture outside. The duct should be connected to a dampered roof cap that prevents moisture from reentry.
NOT SURE ABOUT YOUR EXHAUST?
Call Attic Air For a Free Attic Assessment today! 630-830-3870 .