As temperatures drop and condensation begins to take over homes in the UK, there is one easy test that homeowners are being urged to undertake. You might think that your extractor fan is working because you can hear it humming away in the bathroom or over the hob.
However, just because it’s making the right noise doesn’t mean that it’s doing the right thing. Over time, fans get clogged with dust and grime and this can stop them working as efficiently as they should. As fans are so crucial for protecting against damp and mould, it’s a good idea to make sure yours is working.
What does an extractor fan do?
An extractor fan is one of the best defences you have against damp and mould. They work by pulling steam out of the room using a fan, and preventing condensation and damp from settling in.
It’s important to keep your extractor fan running properly as without it condensation will settle on surfaces. If condensation is left to sit, it creates the perfect environment for mould spores to flourish.
How to test if your extractor fan is working
Clare Bennett, head cleaner at Middlesbrough cleaning company Bust The Dust, has a quick and easy test she urges people to try if they want to check that their fans are working.
She said: “The extractor fan is one of the most overlooked things in the home. People hear it humming and assume it’s doing its job, but in a lot of the bathrooms we clean, the grille is so caked in dust it’s barely pulling any air at all.”
In order to test it, all you need is a single sheet of toilet roll or a tissue. Hold this piece of paper below the fan’s grille and turn the fan on.
If the paper is pulled up and held against the fan, everything is working properly. However, if it barely moves or drops straight down then it’s likely that your fan is blocked.
Clare added: “If the steam isn’t going out of the fan, it’s going onto your walls, ceiling and windows. That’s when you start seeing black spots on the silicone and in the corners of the ceiling, and once mould gets going in winter it’s hard to keep on top of.”
How to fix your extractor fan
If your fan is blocked, most of the time it’s a pretty simple fix. All you need to do is switch the fan off with the isolator switch which can usually be found outside the bathroom or near the ceiling. Never remove the cover whilst the fan is live.
Once you’ve switched the power off, you can pull or unclip the front cover and soak it in a bucket of warm soapy water.
Then, use a small toothbrush to give it a good scrub. Let it dry completely before clipping it back on.
While it’s drying, use the brush attachment on your vacuum to clear loose dust around the opening but be careful not to push the brush inside the fan.
