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Your bathroom smells funny!

By
Home Builder with Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 CSL#642819

 

Your bathroom smells funny!

 

Ever wonder what the source of that foul odor is in your bathroom? When guests could over do you steer them away from the bathroom that gets used most. “Don’t use that bathroom, use the guest bathroom”. I’m not talking about the odors that can be resolved with a match or air freshener. There is a bigger more troublesome odor that you may need to address. That odor is the result of poor ventilation.

 

Moisture in your bathroom can be causing the room to have a musty odor. Think about the bathroom that you use to shower, bathe, brush your teeth, and all the water related tasks that we do. When you run the water, moisture is being released into the air, especially hot water. You can visually see this in the form of steam, or condensation on the walls and mirrors. 

 

I don't know what the requirements are in other states, but in California every bathroom must have an opening window or an exhaust fan, or both. This is because it is important to get fresh, dry air into the room. Can you imagine the mildew and molds that would grow if there was no air circulation?

 

“But Tom, I always use my ventilation fan or open the window”.

 

The purpose of the window and fan is to bring in fresh, dry air. If we can keep the room air dry, the chance of mildew and smelly lingering odors will be reduced. The trick is to actually use them correctly. Let’s talk about what that involves.

 

If you run the fan, or open the window while you shower in the morning, how long after finishing the shower do you shut things down? The secret is to let the fan run or leave the window open for much longer then you have been. Get the moisture out of the room. Ventilate the room while you shave, put on makeup, get dressed, load the truck; make an effort to put off closing the air flow into that room. This will greatly help in the reduction in moisture and the “musty” odors that can result from the lack of air circulation.

 

 

 

Comments (69)

Charlie Dresen
The Group, Inc - Steamboat Springs, CO
Steamboat Springs, CO e-Pro

Good advice - only having the fan on while you're in the shower really isn't long enough. Even in the dry climate we have here in the Rocky Mtns. you still need to make sure the bathrooms get fresh air cycling through.

Oct 07, 2011 12:00 AM
Scott Fogleman
Richmond, VA

great post and good suggestion to leave the windows or fan running longer.. i will share this with my sellers..

Oct 07, 2011 12:45 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Tom this an issue that affects alot of homes, from peeling paint, mold and odors and it all goes back to bad ventilation. i recently had an inspection and the hose from teh fan vented in the attic where some lovely white, green and black molds called home on the rafters and insulation

Oct 07, 2011 01:30 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Tom, good information. Its easy to turn off the fan or close the window when leaving the bathroom. Thanks for the tip to bring in the fresh air to eliminate the moisture.

Oct 07, 2011 01:33 AM
Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

Thanks for the tip TOm - I haven't had this problem but should it arise in the future at least I will know what it is and what to do about it! Congrats on the feature!

Oct 07, 2011 01:38 AM
Gabrielle Jeans
WebTech Dezine, Gabrielle Jeans Real Estate Coach - Toronto, ON
Real Estate Web Solution, Real Estate Trainer and Coach

Sometimes I am guilty of turning off the fan too quickly. Thanks for the tip Tom. Now i know what to do to get rid of excess moisture in the bathroom.

Oct 07, 2011 02:47 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

We may be talking about different smells here Rosalie.  :)  Either way, a functioning exhaust fan would be beneficial.

Codes are probably different, but the best solution is to get it outside. Putting the moisture in the attic or crawl space can create it's own problems. Great to see you Deb.

Well said Charlie, this is true anywhere.

Hope the sellers follow-up on the suggestion Scott.

I didn't read ahead, #47 Deb asked about this. sounds like they only transferred the moisture to a new area. One that nobody could see until it was inspected. Thanks Scott.

No problem Michael, glad to help.

Thanks Kristine, you must have good ventilation.

Glad to help Gabrielle.

Oct 07, 2011 03:48 AM
Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Great post! In Manhattan New York, most of the bathroom has air circulation but not an active fan. The condo building has a main fan for that particular unit lines. And windows in the bathroom are also a luxury, so I think keeping the windows open or cracked is the best way to avoid any funny smell.

Oct 07, 2011 05:01 AM
The Derrick Team - Indy Metro Realtors
Carpenter Realtors - Avon, IN
Your Pet Friendly Realtors

How about a moisture sensing switch to control the fan? It kicks on and runs till the humidity is below a critical amount. Ok a timer is a simpler solution.. ;)

Oct 07, 2011 05:22 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Interesting how different things are across the country Eileen.

Team Derrick - I think the humidity sensor is a great idea, wonder if it is feasible?

Oct 07, 2011 06:09 AM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Hi Tom, I was a liitle leery when I saw the title.... but a great post on a common problem and you have given solutions too!

Oct 07, 2011 06:14 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Good tip.  I don't run my fan as I should but I have a big bathroom and the door is rarely closed.  But I'll remember to leave the fan running longer.

Oct 07, 2011 07:46 AM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Tom - I know this exact smell.  Perhaps I've been in too many bathrooms?

Oct 07, 2011 11:19 AM
Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY
...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Tom: Great tip---I am guilty too of turning off the fan too soon--I always leave the door open tot he hall though hoping that will work--guess I need to re-think my tactic!

Oct 07, 2011 11:52 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Circulating the air is important Erica.

Sorry Sandy, they say the title is very important.  :)  

Sounds good Cindy.

You're just thorough Christine! Can never see too many bathrooms now can we?

I would think that leaving the door open does circulate with the dryer air. The problem is its still in the house. Do you get water running down the inside of the windows when it is cold outside Paula? This may be a sign that you have too much water in the air.

Oct 07, 2011 05:28 PM
Joan Congilose
New Jersey Properties - Manalapan, NJ
Helping Sellers & Buyers

I haven't come across any stinky bathrooms from poor ventilation yet but it is good to know. I have seen bathrooms with black mold on the ceilings from poor ventilation. Thanks for expaining how to correct the situation should we encounter it.

Oct 07, 2011 05:58 PM
Diane M. Phillips Realtor 443-286-4365
Frankly Real Estate Inc. - Manchester, MD
Specializing in Carroll Co., MD

Tom ~ Good information I didn't know that, I'm learning all sorts of stuff on your blog today! : )

Nov 28, 2011 04:58 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Consider me your personal tutor Diane. Just kidding, I appreciate the kind words and thanks for commenting.

Nov 28, 2011 01:36 PM
Joyce Godwin, Realtor, CRS
RE/MAX Elite Properties; Serving Cypress, Spring, Tomball, NW Houston - Houston, TX
RE/MAX Elite Properties

Hi Tom, Thanks for the info. I've always thought all bathrooms should have ceiling fans. We installed them in ours. My main purpose was to keep cool while rushing around and getting ready to go somewhere, but I think it has probably helped with bathroom moisture as well.  Of course, the ceiling fan is left running for awhile, not just after you immediately get out of the shower, but after the bathroom door is open as well. I live in the Houston area which is quite humid. In the summer, when it is the most humid here, people would hesitate to open windows because the air conditioner would most likely be on which could make utility bills go up, especially if you forgot to close the window a couple of times.  Exhaust fans are required in bathrooms here, in more recent homes at least.

Looks like a lot of other interesting info you have posted as well which I'm going to read.  Thanks again.

 

Feb 05, 2013 10:23 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I am glad to hear that you enjoy the posts Joyce, have you considered subscribing?

Ventilation is so important in bathrooms; I agree that they should all have exhaust fans.

Feb 06, 2013 03:21 PM