Do I need an extractor fan in my bathroom?

Extractor fans are strange contraptions - not every bathroom has one and not everyone knows what they’re for. The primary purpose of an extractor fan is to provide ventilation in your bathroom suite so as to avoid condensation resulting from steam rising after a hot bath or shower. This is to prevent mould and damp forming which can cause health problems for you and your family. Another reason to install an extractor fan in a WC or bathroom is in order to get rid of bad smells more quickly after using the toilet. Imagine a bathroom without a window or extractor fan - it would quickly start smelling musty, damp and horrible with the walls holding onto moisture and with mould growing wherever it can, as unventilated conditions are perfect for bacteria to thrive in. But what if your bathroom already has a window and seems perfectly well-ventilated? Some extractor fans can be ugly, noisy and annoying, and may seem like a superfluous addition to your suite. Building regulations stipulate that if you are carrying out building work in an existing room then you must retain or replace any existing extractor fan or passive stack ventilator, however if there is none existing then you don't need to put one in. In a new building or extension you are required to provide adequate ventilation with an extractor fan, regardless of whether or not you have a window too.

personally I would install an extractor fan for ventilation reasons. I'm a damp proofer aswell as some other trades ventilation is the key to avoiding damp in bathrooms if you choose to install an extractor powered from the light switch then it should always vent steam and moisture in the air when the light is on most bathrooms are not bright places due to frosted glass so 9 times out of 10 the light will be used. hope this may help many thanks barry