Is it safe to block the bathroom ventilation in my apartment bathroom?

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Feb 6th, 2018 3:15 pm

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Feb 5th, 2018 6:15 pm

ConsoleWatcher [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Jul 13, 2012; 8501 posts; 1050 upvotes; Occupied Ottawa

Feb 5th, 2018 6:15 pm

Is it safe to block the bathroom ventilation in my apartment bathroom?

I recently moved into a 2nd floor apartment. I like it, but one thing that is driving me crazy is the sound of the ventilation duct in my bathroom; since it's so close to the ventilation equipment it's very loud. I was wondering; would it be unsafe or damaging if I blocked it so I didn't hear the noise? I know there could be heat/mold issues, but I normally shower with the door partially open anyway so that helps. Also, I live alone so the shower would only be run once a day anyway.

If I did leave it unblocked, would installing a solid, tight-fitting bathroom door help with the sound from outside the room? Right now the door is hollow and doesn't fit snug against the frame.

11 replies

Feb 5th, 2018 6:18 pm

CNeufeld: Deal Guru; Mar 23, 2008; 13006 posts; 9976 upvotes; Edmonton

Feb 5th, 2018 6:18 pm

Yeah, I'd say your biggest issue is mold/mildew in your bathroom.

C

Feb 5th, 2018 6:24 pm

ConsoleWatcher [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Jul 13, 2012; 8501 posts; 1050 upvotes; Occupied Ottawa

Feb 5th, 2018 6:24 pm

CNeufeld wrote: ↑ Yeah, I'd say your biggest issue is mold/mildew in your bathroom.

C

It's something that concerns me, but I would make sure I didn't linger in the shower and would become hyper-vigilant about cleaning the bathroom surfaces with anti-mould cleaners.

Feb 5th, 2018 6:46 pm

CNeufeld: Deal Guru; Mar 23, 2008; 13006 posts; 9976 upvotes; Edmonton

Feb 5th, 2018 6:46 pm

ConsoleWatcher wrote: ↑ It's something that concerns me, but I would make sure I didn't linger in the shower and would become hyper-vigilant about cleaning the bathroom surfaces with anti-mould cleaners.

It’s your place, do what you like.

C

Feb 5th, 2018 7:04 pm

ConsoleWatcher [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Jul 13, 2012; 8501 posts; 1050 upvotes; Occupied Ottawa

Feb 5th, 2018 7:04 pm

CNeufeld wrote: ↑ It’s your place, do what you like.

C

I realize it's not a great idea, I'm just wondering it's one of those "ARE YOU CRAZY? YOU'LL SUFFOCATE! MOULD WILL GROW UNCONTROLLED IN YOUR WALLS!"-type ideas.

Another idea I had was to take a cloth or paper towel and cover the vent when not in use, with the suction keeping it in place..

Feb 5th, 2018 7:25 pm

CNeufeld: Deal Guru; Mar 23, 2008; 13006 posts; 9976 upvotes; Edmonton

Feb 5th, 2018 7:25 pm

ConsoleWatcher wrote: ↑ I realize it's not a great idea, I'm just wondering it's one of those "ARE YOU CRAZY? YOU'LL SUFFOCATE! MOULD WILL GROW UNCONTROLLED IN YOUR WALLS!"-type ideas.

Another idea I had was to take a cloth or paper towel and cover the vent when not in use, with the suction keeping it in place..

Your biggest risk as far as mild/mildew goes is when it’s hidden. You can do the maintenance and clean the areas you can see, if you want to do the extra work.

I wasn’t trying to be rude or sarcastic with my previous comment. If you want to do the extra work and maintenance required because you don’t like the noise, go ahead. It’s probably not going to radically affect your life one way or the other. You already know it’s not a great idea, and I doubt anyone will tell you that it is. I wouldn’t chose to do it in my house, but I’m getting more and more hard of hearing

Feb 5th, 2018 7:42 pm

crazdefool: Deal Addict; Dec 7, 2004; 1409 posts; 188 upvotes; Toronto

Feb 5th, 2018 7:42 pm

Are you talking about the exhaust vent? You can get quiet ones maybe talk to the landlord? You need to keep that open. If its a furnace vent you should be ok blocking it.

Feb 5th, 2018 9:29 pm

ChubChub: Deal Addict; Oct 9, 2010; 3139 posts; 1323 upvotes; Windsor

Feb 5th, 2018 9:29 pm

Is this a house where you're renting the 2nd floor? Or an apartment building with 21 floors, but you're on the 2nd one?

Regardless, the fan shouldn't be "THAT" loud; let the landlord know, and maybe (s)he can have someone fix it, or advise you on how to turn it off. I wouldn't block it off myself; if it is continuously running, it's probably doing it for a reason.

One who is offended by truth, has no place among those who seek wisdom.

Feb 5th, 2018 10:38 pm

jacquesstrap: Deal Addict; Nov 9, 2008; 1852 posts; 877 upvotes; Toronto

Feb 5th, 2018 10:38 pm

I'm assuming you are talking about a bathroom exhaust fan. If so, it is absolutely there for a reason and blocking it off WILL cause moisture accumulation and damage over the long term to the finish, and potentially structure behind the walls. As you are a renter, blocking the vent off would be negligent and you would be damaging someone else's property. Talk to your landlord first before you do anything.

Feb 5th, 2018 11:11 pm

MrMimizu: Sr. Member; Aug 13, 2011; 757 posts; 359 upvotes; Scarborough southwes…

Feb 5th, 2018 11:11 pm

ConsoleWatcher wrote: ↑ I recently moved into a 2nd floor apartment. I like it, but one thing that is driving me crazy is the sound of the ventilation duct in my bathroom; since it's so close to the ventilation equipment it's very loud. I was wondering; would it be unsafe or damaging if I blocked it so I didn't hear the noise? I know there could be heat/mold issues, but I normally shower with the door partially open anyway so that helps. Also, I live alone so the shower would only be run once a day anyway.

If I did leave it unblocked, would installing a solid, tight-fitting bathroom door help with the sound from outside the room? Right now the door is hollow and doesn't fit snug against the frame.

I lived in a 5th floor apartment and some piece of garbage smoked in theirs and it would always waft in through the bathroom vent.
I sealed it up with duct tape and left it like that the whole year I lived there.
No visible mould or mildew issues. Always left the bathroom door open.

Feb 6th, 2018 9:00 am

Smiley22: Deal Addict; Mar 14, 2006; 2199 posts; 2204 upvotes; Toronto

Feb 6th, 2018 9:00 am

Why would you want to block the vent. It is more circulation and moisture control. You could develop molds.

Feb 6th, 2018 3:15 pm

TotallyKiller: Deal Addict; Mar 31, 2005; 3354 posts; 303 upvotes; Calgary

Feb 6th, 2018 3:15 pm

A bathroom vent is only intended to be used for a few minutes following a bath or shower to get rid of the excess moisture. Is it so loud that you can't take it for 3 minutes a day?

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