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Putting you on the Spot- Spot Ventilation

By
Home Inspector with NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Putting you on the Spot- Spot Ventilation - Wenatchee and Quincy Home Inspection Services

I find as a home inspector one of the most misunderstood principles with homes is interior ventilation. It seems to be a bit of human nature to not use the exhaust fans as much as we should.

As we create tighter envelopes on homes it becomes much more important to be able to create the necessary air changes to create a good indoor air quality. Here is a very good article on this subject.

Houses need to Breath

But this is about spot ventilation.

Spot ventilation is the use of localized exhaust fans (e.g., kitchen, bath fans laundry room etc…) to quickly remove pollutants and moisture at their source as they are generated. It is a very important tool to improve air quality and reduce moisture levels within the home.

Now here we have an example of this principle that is a bit on the odd side.

                                             Indoor hot tub_This looks so inviting

Indoor hot tubs can create some extensive moisture and chemical pollutants in a closed environment. Indoor hot tubs produce a lot of steam and when the filter is overused or dirty off gassing of chlorine or bromine.
 
The number of vents and fans to properly handle the volume of air that needs to be expelled will depend on the size and volume of your hot tub.

                       Creative Ventilation Solutions              A little closure to enjoy the professionalism
(when in doubt a shop vac will do)

If you’re unsure about your ventilation needs will be you should consult a professional to find out what is adequate.

“A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind”

Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

 

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

Fred Hernden, CMI
Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque area Master Inspector

Nice post Donald. The shop vac on the bar stool is very inventive... lol, looks like Mr. Handyman strikes again! Necessity is indeed the mother of all invention!

Jul 29, 2012 12:21 AM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Donald.

I guess the codes don't say you "cannot use a shop vac as means of air evacuation".

At least they were thinking a little bit when it came to needing to have an exhaust fan in the hot tub area. I would recommend a very big CFM fan for this application. Loose the shop vac and do it right.

Thanks for the "REDNECK SHOT OF THE DAY".

Have a great day off today.

Best, Clint McKie

Jul 29, 2012 12:23 AM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Fred, The stool is a sweet touch ; ) I did have to giggle a bit. What is real nice is there is about a 6 foot drop off right behind it.

 

Clint, I really do not know about how much thinking was involved ; ) We did have some creative use of materials. Re-purposing with a purpose ; )

Jul 29, 2012 12:42 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Don the whole setup sucks---but then again maybe not :)

Jul 29, 2012 02:14 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Don, I am not so sure that houses need to "breathe" as much as they need to "communicate":)

Jul 29, 2012 02:27 AM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Charlie, That is sucking sucker if I ever saw one ; ) I need to go communicate with my home :) 

Jul 29, 2012 05:22 AM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Donald, I have seen numerous homes with damage caused by indoor pools and hot tubs, or rather the moisture (I never really thought about the chemicals).  Ventillation is the obvious answer (that so many of us miss).  Great information!

Jul 29, 2012 06:56 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

A shop vac! HA!!

Ain't never seen that one!

I did go into a basement once to see a hot tub right in the middle of the family room floor.  Like I said, once.

Jul 29, 2012 08:27 PM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Chris, Usually there are more issues with hot tubs because they are not as well planned out.  Ventilation is huge for both of those items though.

 

Jay, I saw one that was put in a front room once. Craziness in my book ; )

Jul 29, 2012 10:49 PM