How to correctly design and make ventilation in the bath yourself

Ventilation in the bathhouse is a mandatory structural element. Without proper air exchange, even the highest quality wooden structure in several years may require major repairs.

The need for ventilation in the bathhouse

Without ventilation, when using the bath, you can encounter dampness, a bad smell and a lack of clean indoor air. High-quality ventilation in the steam room is a criterion not only for a favorable atmosphere, but also for the safety of visitors. If ventilation is not arranged correctly, the following negative consequences may occur:

1. Wooden parts, even with proper ventilation, are subject to significant stress and serve a maximum of 20 years. The lack of ventilation can reduce this period by several times. Therefore, it is recommended to take care of the ventilation device in advance so that you do not have to carry out major repairs in an unplanned time.
2. The air will stagnate in the bathhouse, because of which the wooden parts will begin to rot. This can cause discomfort to visitors.
3. If stagnant air is not removed from the premises in a timely manner, the use of such a building can harm the human body. In the steam room will accumulate gases that people exhale and emits a functioning stove, as well as the smells of progressive fungi and mold.
   

   With insufficient ventilation, fungi and mold begin to appear in the bath rooms

Another important ventilation function is the provision of heat exchange. Humid air practically does not allow heat to pass through, so without recirculation of the air flow, the stove will only heat the surface around it. For this reason, the ventilation inlet is often located at the rear of the furnace at a low height from the floor. Thus, the air has time to warm up and spread heat through the building. Otherwise, cool air will be supplied into the room, in connection with which the temperature regime will be violated.From this we can conclude that without a proper ventilation, not a single bath building can do.

Bath ventilation device, schemes

Natural ventilation functions due to air convection, which occurs in the event of temperature changes in the building and outside it. Hot air will always go up, and cool air will go down to the floor base.

The main task of ventilation is to provide the necessary amount of cool air and replace it with hot air. Therefore, the outlet should be placed on the opposite wall with respect to the air inlet channel. Otherwise, the mechanism will not function correctly.

Quite often, novice masters make a mistake by placing slots for ventilation at the same level: they will form a closed stream that will not affect most of the room, so it will always be cool in the lower part and stuffy and hot in the upper part. If everything is done correctly, then warm air will rise and move to the street through the exhaust shaft. Vacuum will be created in the building, and fresh air will be drawn in through the tributary near the floor base. After a while, it will begin to heat up, rise and displace part of the hot air through the hood. With this method, constant convection and natural ventilation occurs, while human intervention is not required.

As an exhaust device in the bath, you can apply:

• vents;
• stove chimney;
• window leaves.

Air can be supplied through:

• open doors;
• ventilation vents;
• the crowns of the walls (relevant for chopped baths).

Each vent that is required for the ventilation mechanism must be equipped with a shutter and an adjustable grill. This will allow you to control the air exchange and eliminate drafts.

To correctly build the ventilation mechanism in the bath, you need to familiarize yourself with the principle of its design.

There are several natural ventilation methods. Each has advantages, special functions and certain limitations on the application.

Volley airing

In a small Russian bath, volley ventilation is often used. This method consists in ordinary ventilation, which is carried out after the procedures or between trips to the steam room. Such ventilation allows you to immediately change the air and dry the surface of the steam room.

In volley ventilation, the role of slots for ventilation is performed by a transom and a door, which are placed on opposite walls. To change the air, they will need to be opened for a short period after the procedures. Air can move towards the doors or in the opposite direction. It depends on the direction in which the pressure differential will act. Such ventilation is needed to refresh the air, but not to cool the walls. Therefore, airing should be no more than 2 minutes.

The possibility of such ventilation should be provided in any bath. This will quickly dry the internal bases of the walls, ceiling and shelves, as well as extend the life of the bath elements.

Chimney venting with outflow

For ventilation, you can use a stove-stove with a chimney. In the process of fuel combustion, hot air will be drawn into the blower and exit through the chimney.To carry out an influx of cold air, you will need to make a gap of the order of 6-8 mm at the bottom of the door. Another option is to tightly close it when taking procedures. In the bathhouse during the combustion process, air from the street can be drawn in through the lower crowns. To do this, they need to be customized, leaving a gap of several millimeters.

Ventilation by outflow of air through a chimney is only possible while maintaining fire in the stove. If fuel does not burn, air will cease to circulate. A more advanced ventilation mechanism will be needed.

Ventilation through products

The exchange of air, which is carried out through special openings, is a universal ventilation mechanism. It makes it possible to gradually replace the air in the steam room several times during the adoption of procedures (about 6-7 times in 60 minutes). If you properly plan such ventilation, there will be no draft or lowering of temperature.

The air outlet is generally located under the ceiling structure, above the upper shelf. The optimal size is 16–20 cm. It can be made in the shape of a circle or square. The hood will need to be closed with a removable plug or a sliding door, with which it will be possible to change the dimensions of the hood and the level of air exchange.

When arranging products, it is important to consider some rules:

1. It is not recommended to place slots on the same level. Cool air that enters the steam room will immediately fly out into the exhaust slot. Accordingly, it will not be able to fully recycle, but at the same time a draft will form.
2. The linear dimensions of the hood should not be less than the dimensions of the inlet recess. Otherwise, fresh air will not be able to enter the bathhouse.
3. If you want to increase the outflow of hot air, the dimensions of the hood are increased relative to the inlet. Another option is to arrange 2 hoods on 1 inlet slot.

The inlet slot should be arranged at a height of approximately 0.2–0.4 m from the floor covering. It can be placed on the same wall as the hood, or on the opposite side. An advantage is the placement near the furnace, so that the penetrating air has time to warm up and gets into the soaring zone already hot. The inlet must be closed with a metal grill so that air is drawn into the building by jets, rather than by a solid stream.

Forced ventilation

A mechanical ventilation system is necessary if:

• the total area of ​​construction is quite large;
• the structure is made of bricks, blocks or stones;
• the steam room has large dimensions;
• pipes for ventilation can not be placed correctly;
• The furnace is designed for high power.

To implement such a system, you should use:

• valve for air flow;
• deflector;
• fan.

You need to purchase a heat-resistant fan designed for baths, with a degree of protection against dust and moisture at IP 44 and above.

Fresh air will flow naturally through the bottom opening. Extraction of heated air will be ensured by mechanical devices.

Video: ventilation device in the bath

Preparing for the installation of ventilation: drawings and layout

To correctly carry out installation work, you need to select one of the existing schemes:

1. The inlet is arranged downstream of the furnace. The output channel is installed on the opposite wall under the ceiling structure. In this case, the exhaust pipe should be mounted vertically. Its length must be calculated so that the upper part of the pipe rises slightly above the ridge of the roof.This will ensure full operation of ventilation during strong winds. Correctly selected dimensions of the pipes for air outlet can provide reliable ventilation. Additional adjustments can be made by installing dampers.
   
   

   The exhaust pipe should be installed vertically, preferably on the opposite wall.

2. The inlet and exhaust openings are located one above the other. The application of this scheme is only advisable if only one wall of the building can be used for the ventilation device. Openings for air are placed opposite the furnace. The inlet should be raised 30 cm from the finishing floor. The output window must be lowered 20 cm from the ceiling. The air that passes through the lower inlet will heat up from the stove and rise toward the air outlet. For full system performance, mechanical exhaust devices (fans) will be needed.
   
   

   Ventilation holes are placed on one wall, if there is no possibility to use the opposite wall

3. In addition to the main ventilation ducts, an additional exhaust hole was made in the floor. This scheme involves ventilating not only the steam room section, but also the space under the floor. The inlet should be installed in the wall behind the stove. It must be raised above the floor by 20 cm. Hot air will pass into the basement through the gaps of the ventilated floor. Then he will return to the steam room and begin to move towards the exhaust outlet. From this place, the exhaust air will go out.
   

   For the device for ventilation of the space under the floor, holes are made in it and air intake channels are arranged

4. Ventilation through the blower and furnace pipe. The scheme applies if the bath is used regularly. The input hole is arranged in the lower part, however it is placed opposite the stove, and not behind it. The height above the floor base is 20 cm. The extraction of warm air is ensured by a blower and a chimney. In order for ventilation to work effectively, you need to choose the right location for the furnace. It is recommended to equip it inside the steam room. If the stove is placed in an adjacent room, the efficiency of the ventilation mechanism and the furnace itself will be much lower.
   

   Extraction of exhaust air is ensured by a blower and a chimney

Tips for choosing and buying materials

To make a ventilation system, you need to prepare the following materials:

• bricks or stones;
• ducts for ventilation;
• gate valves;
• Metal sheet;
• sand;
• cement;
• wall paneling;
• fasteners (self-tapping screws, nails and screws).

From the tool you will need:

• hacksaw for metal;
• construction knife;
• container for preparing the mixture;
• putty knife;
• level;
• hammer;
• screwdriver;
• electric drill;
• mixer.

Work is recommended to be carried out in protective clothing. Additionally, gloves and a respirator can be used.

The ventilation mechanism for the bathhouse will depend on the type of construction and the material of manufacture. It can be a separate structure or several rooms in the building. The first option is the most preferable - in this case, you can easily plan and build a ventilation mechanism by choosing the budget method.

If the bathhouse adjoins residential buildings, it is necessary to take care of its drying in order to protect the walls from decay. The temperature in the steam room will be elevated, so the walls should be heat resistant. In this case, ventilation should be forced.

Baths can be made from the following materials:

• logs;
• brick;
• gas block;
• wood (frame type of construction).

In bath houses made of brick and wood, the ventilation duct can be arranged in the wall.For the inflow, you need to lay an air duct or use vents in the base. You will also need to buy an exhaust fan to remove hot air.

If the bath is located in the base, then you will need to install a deflector. This is necessary to provide the required traction.

Paired from gas blocks should be equipped with an iron duct. To do this, you should buy ready-made ventilation pipes made of iron. You can also arrange a duct made of galvanized sheets. To do this, give it a round shape and securely seal the joints. A duct of this type runs over the wall. The diameters of the exhaust and supply pipes should be the same.

Calculation of ventilation for baths of different sizes

The methodology for calculating recesses for ventilation is indicated in normative acts. Calculating the dimensions of the recesses for natural ventilation is much more difficult than for mechanical ventilation - there are many factors that do not depend on people. The main criterion for the effectiveness of the ventilation mechanism is the frequency of air change. For residential premises there is a minimum parameter of multiplicity, while it is necessary to take into account both the temperature in the building and outside it. The temperature inside can vary insignificantly, which simplifies the design process.

Table: Natural ventilation performance (m³/hour)

The air flow rate in different situations can be different. Accordingly, it is rather difficult to accurately calculate a suitable air exchange rate. For this reason, it is recommended to use the experience of specialists: for most steam rooms, it is enough that the area of ​​the holes is 200-300 cm².

It is also required to calculate the volume of air that is supplied and discharged from the bath. To determine it, you need to multiply the volume of the room by the rate of air exchange - a number that will show how many times the air in the building should change to fresh within 60 minutes. In a bath with a volume of 10 m³ with a multiplicity of 1.5, you need to make an influx of cool air of 15 m ³/hour. If the volume of the room is 25 m³ and multiplicity 2, you need an air flow at a speed of 50 m³/hour.

Accordingly, first of all, it is necessary to calculate the volume of the premises and identify the required volume of cold air for each of them, while it is important to take into account the coefficient of multiplicity:

• room for washing - 50;
• toilet - 50;
• dressing room - 3;
• steam room - 5;
• massage room - 5.

The result should be rounded so that the number ends at 0 or 5. Next, summarize the volumes obtained for the inflow and exhaust separately. If it turned out that the air flow is greater than the outflow, then to balance the balance, it will be necessary to increase the exhaust volume for rooms in which the air exchange rate is minimal. Otherwise, it will be necessary to organize an auxiliary air flow. According to the results obtained, it is necessary to determine the cross section of the ducts.

In ventilation mechanisms, air speed should correspond to such indicators:

• for natural ventilation - ≤ 2 m / s;
• for mechanical ventilation - ≤ 5 m / s.

The cross section of the fans can be round or square. The former are easier to connect. Fixing hardware can be found in any supermarket for construction.

Table: cross-section of round ducts

For a supply and exhaust duct with air consumption ΣWpr = ΣWt = 165 m³ / h, the flow velocity should be a maximum of 5 m / s. According to the table, you need to select the parameter that corresponds to this value.The nearest larger air flow rate is 221 m³ / h. Therefore, the cross section of the duct will need to be made equal to 125 mm.

Walkthrough: how to set the ventilation in the bath yourself

Ventilation should not:

1. An influx of cool air harm the temperature regime in the bath.
2. It is incorrect to separate the temperature flows. This refers to situations where it is cool only at the floor base, but not on the shelves where people are located.
3. To exclude the wrong air from the steam room - not hot, in which there is a lot of carbon dioxide.

Care should be taken to ensure that the floors in the bath are ventilated, as they regularly come in contact with the liquid.

If this is not taken care of, then the floor will need to be replaced every 5 years. For a floor ventilation device, you will need to do the following:

1. In the process of laying the foundation, floor ventilation should be performed - small vents should be made from opposite sides of the basement.
   

   Ventilation products for floor ventilation must be foreseen at the stage of foundation pouring

2. Two ventilation holes should be left near the opposite walls of the steam room - for fresh air. To prevent rodents from entering the bathhouse, it is recommended to close the windows with bars.
   

   Floor ventilation holes must be closed

3. In the process of installing the furnace, it is necessary to ensure that the level of the finish screed is higher than the blower - in this case, it can function as a hood.
4. Reiki should be placed so that between them there are gaps from 0.6 to 1 cm.
   

   Floor boards should be nailed with a gap of about 1 cm

5. After taking the procedures, the floor base must be thoroughly dried each time.

Preparing ventilation holes

As an example, the most difficult situation will be considered - the external and internal wall cladding has already been completed. The recesses may be in the form of a square, circle or rectangle. You will need to perform the following steps:

1. Mark the location of the hole on the inner lining of the steam room. Before performing work, it is important to know not only the location of the recess, but also its dimensions and parameters. The air inlet is located behind the stove, approximately 30 cm from the floor. An exhaust duct is made on the opposite wall under the ceiling. At this stage, it is recommended to prepare ducts and metal grilles. This will allow you to control the dimensions of the air and not do too much work.
2. Prepare a drill bit for long wood. The value should exceed the thickness of the walls of the bathhouse, taking into account the casing materials. At the center point of the drawn air, a through hole should be drilled from the inside of the steam room. The drill exit at the outside of the structure will be the center of the air. Around it, draw the dimensions of the hole that was prepared in the steam room.
   

   A hole is drilled in the center of the future ventilation duct, around which a full air circuit is drawn further

3. Remove cladding details at marked boundaries. If the bathhouse is lined with lining on both sides, then it will only be necessary to carefully dismantle the slats. If steel sheets were used from the outside, a grinder should be used.
4. Inspect trim details. If they are damaged, they need to be repaired. Through ventilation ducts, through holes must be made that should be located as close as possible to each other. It is important to regularly check where they protrude from the outside of the wall. The drill must always be placed perpendicular to the surface. Similar recesses need to be drilled over the entire area of ​​the air. The more of them, the easier it will be to make a hole in the wall.
   

   Holes drilled along the air circuit should be located as close as possible to each other

5. Remove the jumpers between the drilled holes with a chisel and chisel. It will not work to make a through hole on one side of the wall - it is problematic to get with the used tool. Part of the work should be done from the inside of the steam room, and the second part from the outside. It is not necessary to carefully level the bases of the recesses, it is important to take care only that the duct can easily fit into the channel.
   

   It will not work to make a full-fledged hole on one side of the wall, because the length of the tool used is not enough

It will take a lot of time to prepare the hole. Even qualified specialists most often do no more than 2 products per day. Next, you need to proceed with the installation of the duct and grille.

Video: large diameter hole in the log

Installation of air ducts and grilles

Pipes made of plastic or galvanized metal are suitable for the duct.

The length should be determined based on the length of the passage. The grill is selected taking into account the dimensions of the hole. In order to be able to adjust the ventilation efficiency, a shutter must be mounted on the grill. The sequence of steps for installing elements:

1. The planes of the recesses should be insulated with mineral wool in one layer. Next, you need to carefully install the duct into the prepared place. To securely fasten the pipe in the required position, use construction foam. After it hardens, the surplus must be cut off.
   

   Holes must be insulated with mineral wool around the entire perimeter.

2. If there is insulation between the cladding and the wall, the gap between the wall and the recess in the cladding must be treated. This will allow you to seal the place of the slot and prevent the penetration of liquid on the structure of wood.
3. After this, you need to fix the grilles. The fixing method depends on what material the walls are made of. You can use silicone sealant, screws and other fasteners.
   

   It is better to fix the plastic grill with silicone sealant

4. Additionally, you can install a valve for ventilation. It is fixed in the same way as the grill.

In the end, check the ventilation functionality with a smoldering match or other smoke source. It must be brought to the entrance recess and observed how and how quickly the air flows in the steam room will move. It is recommended to experiment with natural ventilation at different positions of the valves, from minimum to maximum.

Underfloor ventilation

Ventilation in the furnace is often carried out in a separate channel, which passes under the floor base. It should be brought out near the firebox in the place where the sheet of metal is located. This is required in order to protect the floor of the bath from sparks and coals. To create a ventilated channel, you will need a box. Its diameter should be 20% larger than the diameter of the chimney. Air will penetrate from the environment, not from the underground. Otherwise, a bad smell will occur.

To create ventilation under the floor yourself, you will need:

1. Take the box along the walls to the street. It should be placed close to the wall. The box is sold ready-made. The connection can be done using special fittings.
   

   For the installation of a ventilation system under the floor, it is better to use a finished box made of metal or plastic

2. Close the inside of the box with a grill, and the outside with an insect net.
3. Install a second duct for mechanical ventilation. If the furnace is placed in the room, you will need to create a podium for both boxes. From the wall where the recess is prepared, it is necessary to lay 3 rows of stones on the edge. One row should be placed near the wall, the other two in the middle and near the extreme part. The height of the masonry is 24 cm. The masonry must be done to the screen of bricks. In the upper part, the structure must be blocked with stones.
4. In the place where the stove is located, you do not need to put the last two stones so that air can be blown out from the box under the stove. Then the end part is laid.
5. To prevent the floor base from being scratched, a rubber gasket must be placed under the door along the width of the door.
6. After laying out the podium, it is necessary to mount the furnace on it. To ensure that the loads on the box are distributed evenly, it is best to mount the furnace on metal plates or corners, one fastening element on each side. Next, the furnace is covered with bricks and a brick screen is constructed with two doors for convection. Doors are purchased ready-made. They are made of metal. These doors will provide heating of the bathhouse with warm air and ventilation of the room.

The lower doors must be open during the kindling of the furnace. Heated air will exit the upper doors. Part of it will go down, heating up again. When the process is completed, it is necessary to cover the lower doors and leave open only the upper ones. Cool air will enter the stove through the duct, heat up and leave through the upper doors. Such a procedure will ensure heating of the space until the building is filled to the bottom of the duct with hot air. Further, warm air will be forced out by the cold and in this way will heat other rooms through which it will be directed to the street.

Video: ventilation and floor ventilation in the dressing room

The functioning of the bath depends on a correctly designed and correctly installed ventilation system. After analyzing the design features of the bath and conducting work on the preparation, you can independently arrange high-quality ventilation in the bath structure.