Maybe it’s different in newer, tighter homes, but sometimes old-school ventilation still wins out.
I get where you’re coming from—older homes with leaky windows can be surprisingly forgiving. But after renovating a few places, I’ve learned that relying on “natural” airflow can be risky, especially if you ever upgrade those windows or add insulation. Here’s a quick rundown I use for my rentals:
1. Test the fan—if it’s weak, swap it out.
2. Even with a window, run the fan for 15-20 min after showers.
3. Squeegee the walls (sounds tedious, but it’s fast).
4. Check corners for early signs of mold every month.
It’s not glamorous, but I’ve seen mold pop up fast in “tight” homes, even with a cracked window. Sometimes the old-school way works, but I’d rather play it safe—mold remediation is a pain and expensive.
Honestly, I used to think just cracking a window was enough, too—until I had to deal with a nasty patch of mold behind a bathroom cabinet. That was a wake-up call. Your checklist is solid, especially the squeegee bit. It feels like overkill at first, but it really does make a difference. Have you ever tried one of those humidity sensors for the fan? I’m curious if they’re worth the hype or just another gadget collecting dust.
Humidity sensors are actually pretty handy, especially if you’ve got folks in the house who forget to flip the fan switch. I put one in during a remodel last year—honestly, it’s not just hype. It kicks on automatically when things get steamy and shuts off when the air’s dry. No more nagging or guessing. Only downside: if your fan’s noisy, it might run longer than you’d like, but that’s a small trade-off for keeping mold at bay.
