A high-quality ventilation system is an indispensable element of the steam room. The absence or improper organization of ventilation in the bath is dangerous to human health. A properly equipped system will protect people from carbon monoxide and improve the comfort of staying indoors. We will talk about the features and technology of installing the ventilation system in the bath later.

Characteristics of proper ventilation for the steam room

Proper ventilation in the bath performs several functions at once:

• provides the room with oxygen;
• improves the comfort of staying in the steam room;
• removes carbon monoxide;
• allows economically expedient to spend firewood;
• evenly distributes air flow;
• protects the building from the formation of mold or fungus.

The best option for ventilation in the bath is supply and exhaust. For these purposes, equip:

• air inlet - through them an influx of fresh air into the steam room is organized, a fan with a ventilation tube is installed, additional air inflow is provided by open windows or through the door;
• exhaust hole - the removal of heated air from the room, through the furnace, blower or devices that improve traction.

To improve the supply and exhaust ventilation system, various methods are used. We offer you to get acquainted with one of the most effective ventilation systems:

1. The supply openings are located at the bottom of the room, next to the firebox.

2. Exhaust openings strictly on the opposite side from above. It is possible to organize two holes at once for better air control.

3. The height of the exhaust port determines the draft level. If the vent is low, additionally reinforce the system with a vent pipe.

4. With the help of special dampers, the air supply from the room is controlled.

5. The air in the steam room is renewed every 2-3 hours.

In addition, the individual parameters of the ventilation system are determined by the type of room, the version of the bath. For example, in a Russian bath, periodic ventilation will help renew the air. In addition, the size and location of the installation of the furnace are taken into account; in relation to this parameter, two types of ventilation are organized.

How to make ventilation in a steam room with a separate firebox

We offer a variant of the organization of ventilation in the steam room, the firebox of which is located in the next room. This scheme is popular in ordinary Russian baths. To bring the firebox to an adjacent room, a furnace tunnel is used. Among the advantages of this arrangement of the furnace, we note:

• lack of garbage in the steam room;
• the door to the room opens only at the entrance;
• the possibility of mounting heat-resistant glass for admiring an open flame.

There are two ways to install air inlets in a room:

1. Arrangement of a ventilation duct in the underground space. Removing it in front of the furnace room, installing ventilation grilles on the channel.

2. Floor supply of ventilation.

On the opposite wall, install the hood, diagonally in relation to the air inlet.

The main quality of the organization of proper ventilation is that the supply openings should coincide in area with the exhaust ones.

Ventilation scheme in a steam room with a firebox indoors

If the stove-heater is located directly in the steam room, then the organization of ventilation is different. In this case, air flows through the blower solve the problem with natural ventilation. This method is appropriate if the fire in the furnace is constantly.

If there is no chimney in the bath, and the stove operates in a short-term mode, a more advanced ventilation system is used. Familiarize yourself with the technology of arranging the ventilation system in the steam room:

1. Build a special brick podium on which the oven is installed. With its help, a ventilation duct is supplied to the furnace.

2. Lay the ends, build another box of bricks. As a result, the first design is installed at the top of the furnace channel, and the second - to the door of the steam room.

3. On a wall adjacent to a regular room, build doors in the places where the masonry passes. They heat the next room, if necessary.

4. An oven is installed on the podium, it can be mounted on a corner or on steel paintings. Finish the furnace with brick, install a brick screen, with two convection valves.

5. The exhaust ventilation system operates due to the furnace furnace.

Correct installation of the ventilation system is based on its correct adjustment. General rules for managing the ventilation system:

• at the beginning of the furnace furnace, all openings and supply and exhaust are closed;
• wait for the temperature to rise, then adjust the vents with valves;
• if it is necessary to increase the volume of oxygen in the room, open the inlet;
• upon completion of work, open the shutters for better ventilation of the steam room.

Steam room ventilation photo:

To determine the temperature and humidity in the room, use special devices. An alcohol or electric type thermometer will help measure the temperature. Please note that the use of the mercury version is strictly prohibited. Use a hygrometer to determine the humidity level.

The principle of operation of the ventilation system is based on the following factors:

• melting the oven, the air is gradually heated and exits through the convection door;
• the lower door remains open until the oven is fully heated;
• close the door from below and work with the top hatch;
• in the process of soaring, only the blower installed on the box opens;
• after using the steam room for its intended purpose, ventilate the room well.

Do-it-yourself ventilation device in the steam room

The main functions of the ventilation system in the bath:

• air supply during bath procedures;
• high-quality room drying.

The ventilation system in the bath should not:

• violate the temperature of the room, in the process of taking bath procedures;
• to separate temperature flows, that is, cool air is closer to the floor, and warm air is from above;
• remove unused air from the steam room.

In addition, the lack of ventilation leads to the appearance of unpleasant air in the room, the formation of mold and fungus, which are harmful to human health.

There are three main types of ventilation in the steam room:

• the natural option is the supply of air flows through the pressure difference;
• mechanical option - air supply using special mechanisms, when measuring these characteristics with instruments;
• combined option - the creation of artificial pressure by fans and hoods.

There are two types of air transport in the room: supply and exhaust. For these purposes, a hole located diagonally with respect to the inlet is equipped.

It is not recommended to install an exhaust outlet in the steam room on the ceiling; this ventilation system increases the warm-up time of the room. It is rational to install the hood under the ceiling, additionally equipping a damper on it to adjust the draft.

In addition, provide a ventilated floor in the bath. Thus, the life of the floor covering is increased, as it is in constant contact with water. Recommendations for the arrangement of floor ventilation:

1. During the installation of the foundation base, ensure the ventilation of the floors, build vents from the basement.

2. On opposite walls, build ventilation holes that provide air flow. Install gratings on them to prevent rodents from entering.

3. The finished floor should be slightly higher in level than the blower is located. Thus, it will function as a hood.

4. Install wooden boards with a small gap, at least half a centimeter.

5. After taking bath procedures, ventilate the room well and dry the floors.

Another way to organize the ventilation system in the bath is “According to Bast”. In this case, fresh air enters the room from the ward space, and exhaust from the hole located near the door. For these purposes, build an exhaust box made of wood, lined with foil inside.

Build a ventilation duct under the floor, next to a metal sheet that prevents heat from entering it. The size of the structure should not exceed twenty percent. Adjusting the flow of fresh air through such a system is quite simple. It is enough to open the vent and blower. In addition, it is possible to avoid the accumulation of an unpleasant aroma in the steam room. This method of organizing ventilation is appropriate if the firebox is located directly in the steam room.

Ways to organize ventilation in the steam room with your own hands

We offer the five most popular schemes for organizing supply ventilation in the steam room:

1. Scheme No. 1.

Install the inlet under the stove 50 cm from the floor, and the outlet on the opposite side, thirty centimeters from the ceiling. The forced movement of air masses is provided by a fan. Thus, it is possible to ensure uniform heating of the air. The height of the first opening regulates the draft force of natural ventilation.

2. Scheme No. 2.

Two ventilation holes are located on the same wall, always opposite the stove. The inlet is installed at a distance of thirty centimeters from the floor, and the outlet is thirty centimeters from the ceiling. Install a fan in the outlet, the cooled air, entering the room, collides with the stove, heats up and exits.

3. Scheme No. 3.

Position the inlet behind the stove, at a distance of about twenty centimeters from the floor. The inlet is installed at the same height, only near the ceiling of the opposite wall. A hood is installed in the second hole. The principle of operation of the system is based on the ingress of cooled air into the steam room, passing through the oven and pulling out the second hole.

4. Scheme No. 4.

This method is relevant for a steam room with a floor that has holes for water to drain. The inlet is installed behind the furnace, and the outlet is a drain pipe through which air is vented to the outside.

5. Scheme No. 5.

Relevant for a bath with a constantly working stove. The inlet is arranged opposite the stove, and the blower with a chimney acts as an outlet

If it is necessary to increase the temperature in the steam room, it is enough to close all the plugs. After taking bath procedures, they are removed. It is quite possible to organize these ventilation schemes on your own, without buying expensive appliances and special material investments.

How to make a vapor barrier for a steam room with your own hands

Vapor barrier in the steam room allows you to maintain the optimum temperature of the room. Special materials in the form of vapor-tight films, insulation and waterproofing will help create high-quality vapor barrier. The film provides protection of the insulation from the penetration of water vapor, while not letting in the moisture that is in the hot air.

Qualitatively equipped vapor barrier and ventilation system increase the service life of the room itself and its exterior finish. Since hot air rises, first of all, vapor barrier the ceiling with high quality.

For these purposes, use lahi, boards, about 6 cm thick. From above, they are covered with aluminum-based foil, cardboard with increased density or waxed paper soaked in drying oil. After fixing one of these materials, the ceiling is finished with clay and insulated.

In addition, the edged board will help to vaporize the ceiling. On the boards, cardboard impregnated with drying oil is installed, which is then sheathed with wooden clapboard.

Expanded polystyrene boards are a modern replacement for soft clay, they are distinguished by good thermal insulation and performance characteristics.

As vapor barrier materials for the walls of the steam room use:

• ruberoid;
• aluminum foil;
• glassine;
• film based on polyethylene.

Glassine and roofing material for thermal insulation of the steam room are rarely used. This is due to the fact that with strong heating, they emit toxic substances and unpleasant odors. The steam room is vapor-proofed with special foil materials. Allocate combined methods of vapor and thermal insulation. For example, NPP polypropylene, among its advantages we note:

• excellent resistance to moisture;
• resistance to temperature increase;
• laminated coating prevents the development of mold and mildew;
• combined thermal insulation.

In addition, it is possible to use rolled vapor barrier in the form of rolled foil or fiberglass boards. To seal the joints between vapor barrier materials, use foil tape.

The plates are installed on the ceiling with a small compensation gap of 20 mm. Thus, the effect of moisture on these areas is reduced. Please note that the vapor barrier in the steam room must be securely hidden behind the main finishing material, and a high-quality ventilation system is its complement.

Ventilation in the steam room video:

To determine the value of ventilation in the bath know its purpose:

1. Rapid heating of the room, uniform distribution of heat. Savings in heating costs.
2. Constant air renewal during soaring. This is necessary for the comfort and health of vacationers.
3. Rapid removal of moist air. Implementation of mandatory drying of the premises.
4. Preservation of the building for a longer time. No fungi or mold appear. Objects are not deformed, do not change color under the influence of moisture.

No or insufficient ventilation unpleasant odors gradually accumulate in the room, the air becomes damp. Fresh air is not supplied, it becomes difficult to breathe. There is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Without ventilation, all the warm air will gradually go up, and the cooling air will accumulate below.

Proper ventilation system in the baths

In baths made of natural logs any punching of holes to provide ventilation is considered superfluous. The lower crowns of the walls are laid with the installation of holes through which a moderate amount of fresh air passes. If there is a stove-heater in which the blower is simultaneously designed to bring air out, you can limit yourself to its presence. They let in air through the open door, a gap of 5-7 mm is enough.

Ventilation is designed for regular entry into the bath of fresh air, outflow of cooled and moist. For fresh air flow need to build vents. If they are not, then you can use the vents, doors. The hood also takes place through special openings; a furnace blower can be used; a chimney is of great importance in the outflow of steam. In order to be able to fully control the air exchange, the openings are equipped with shutters, by adjusting which you can stop or resume the flow and exit of air.

There is a wide range of ventilation systems:

1. For inlet and outlet located opposite each other, one level is used. In some cases, the low placement of the inlet helps to retain heat for a longer time. To activate the air exchange, a fan is installed, an air duct or a deflector can also be used. You can not place holes with an exact match in level. As a result of the rapid release of air, accumulations of cold at the bottom and warm in the rest of the bath can form.
2. The air currents directed by the operating ventilation device lower the pressure inside the duct. Exhaust air is drawn out due to a decrease in pressure inside the bath. To raise the pressure again, fresh air is supplied.
3. The vents can be arranged in this way: the supply air is 30 cm from the floor, the outlet located opposite does not reach the ceiling by 30 cm. Fresh air immediately heats up from the stove, rises, gradually leaving the room.

To ensure constant control over the speed and volume of incoming and outgoing air, dampers are created. It is advisable to make them retractable, slightly opening to the required distance. The length of the duct is determined by the dimensions of the bath, as well as the maximum volume of required incoming air.

When the room is only heated with a preheated stove, all openings should be covered. When the temperature becomes optimal for vaping, the shutters open slightly and are immediately regulated so that the air exchange does not change the temperature in the room. Both inlet and outlet openings must have a connector close to the same. To make the influx of fresh air stronger, you can slightly increase the outlet.

The inlet connector must not be larger than the outlet. This leads to a reverse draft, which contributes to the release of fresh air from the bath, and not its active circulation.

Ventilation in the Russian bath

In a classic bath, created according to the Russian model, no special holes, so air exchange should be performed in a more natural way. Normally, conventional ventilation is used to supply fresh air. You can open the door leading to the street and the window opposite to it. Sometimes forced exhaust is used with the door open. To better get rid of the accumulated dampness, you should sweep the leaves from the broom in a timely manner. Benches and other wooden objects can be dried when wet, sometimes sheets are swept. These procedures will not allow the formation of heavy steam, remove unpleasant odors and decay products from the room.

After the bath is ventilated and dried, need to start steaming. To do this, pour water on the stones in small portions. The prepared steam rises quickly and stays there for a long time, so it may turn out that it is already very hot at the top, and still cool at the bottom. With a strong temperature difference, you can wait until the steam sinks or use artificial methods to lower it.

It is enough to work with brooms to create movement in the steam room, the air will immediately mix. Waves with a towel or broom should be carried out closer to the ceiling.

You can make a fan: on the wooden handle there is a stainless steel loop, on which the fabric is stretched. Horizontal or vertical movements are made by this device to move warm and cold air. Sometimes they begin to use it in the manufacture of steam. To do this, one person pours water on the stones, and the second works with a fan.

in the steam room

In classical bath ventilation schemes, it is assumed air flow in the steam room from below. The hole is usually located below half a meter from the floor. The hood can be placed close to the ceiling by equipping a hole on the opposite wall. The regulation of the level of humidity and heat of the air is carried out by extending or closing the shutters.

The best option, especially for a small steam room, is to create an air inlet next to the stove. This is necessary to instantly heat the incoming fresh air. This arrangement will not allow strong drafts to form, helps to avoid a large temperature difference in different parts of the steam room. The heat from the steam room can not only be taken outside, but also moved to other rooms for their high-quality heating.

Proper ventilation works by bringing fresh air under the box. Air masses leave the device through the top opening. The steam room warms up quite evenly until the warm air reaches the bottom of the box. Hot air will gradually displace colder air, providing warming before leaving the room. The steam room simultaneously heats up and dries out.

In the bathhouse

The ventilation channel is directly connected to the duct, the diameter of which usually exceeds the chimney by no more than 20%. With such parameters, oxygen fills the room, and does not leave it. Air intake from the underground is not needed.

The walls of the stove, if it is in the dressing room, should be close to the floor. Shelves are not necessarily placed in a strictly horizontal position. They are able to slow down the rise of heat to the ceiling. For better absorption of warm air, it is better to equip the stove with several chimneys.

Sometimes during the heating of the bath in the room a large amount of smoke is formed and retained. This means that the air inside the dressing room is colder than in the environment. Cold air is somewhat more massive than warm air, so it often creates a shell in chimneys. In order to push out this air, it is necessary to equip an additional door for burning ash.

Forced ventilation

Ventilation in the bath with the help of electronic systems is carried out if it is impossible to provide good air circulation in natural ways. Fans can be installed on both supply and exhaust openings. They accelerate the movement of air masses, providing the room with fresh air, quickly removing moist.

Exhaust ventilation

In the design of this ventilation is always present exhaust fan. For air circulation, a supply air is also necessarily constructed. Sometimes cracks in the walls are used for fresh air to enter, windows or doors are slightly opened. The advantage of exhaust ventilation is to reduce the pressure in the bath. The action must be compensated by a constant flow of air from outside.

Ventilation with a powerful hood perfectly removes harmful gases, humid air with an unpleasant odor. It is possible to build such a ventilation system not only in the steam room, but also in showers, washing rooms, departments with a pool or in bathrooms. Usually, the basic set of the exhaust ventilation system includes a fan and a box. If the device is too noisy, a silencer can be used.

Forced ventilation

It is installed according to the exhaust principle, however the fan must be placed on the inlet. When the supply ventilation system is activated, an increase in pressure in the room is observed, which should be compensated in a timely manner by the release of air through the hood or gaps in the walls, floor, ceiling, through the windows, the door.

Supply fans are not considered convenient if they will operate in cold temperatures. In winter, they supply icy air, which must be additionally heated by pre-installed air heaters. If it is necessary to purify a large amount of incoming air, filters can be used.

Supply and exhaust ventilation

Combination of artificial inflow and exhaust air is often equipped with recuperators, silencers, filters. Additional devices provide comfort while in the bath, at the same time there is a constant, good air circulation. In order not to worry about ventilation, you can equip it with an automatic control unit.

Creating a design for supply and exhaust artificial ventilation often causes difficulties. It is necessary to calculate the optimal air exchange in all rooms of the bath at the design stage. The amount of outgoing air must match the incoming air. Sometimes air flows are not specifically balanced. In order to prevent the spread of excessive humidity or unpleasant odors from a certain room, the pressure is artificially reduced in it. To do this, the hood is mounted with greater intensity than in other rooms.

When arranging ventilation in the bath, you should take care not only of the steam room, but also of other important rooms. To save heating costs, you can use the warm air generated in the steam room, taking it out not to the street, but through other rooms. By adapting the ventilation system to specific requests, you can make the most successful option.

Many novice developers very often ask the question: Do I need ventilation in the bath? Why let cold air inside, if so much effort and materials went into its insulation? On the one hand, this is a paradox, and on the other, a necessity, and in order to understand this issue, you need to weigh all the pros and cons (if any) of installing ventilation in the steam room.

What threatens the lack of ventilation in the bath

In ancient times, when they knew absolutely nothing about ventilation, baths in Russia, like houses, were made without ventilation holes. But there is an explanation for this. Logs were used as building material. The lower crown of the logs was made free, which allowed fresh air to enter through the cracks in the log house. The temperature in the steam room was regulated by opening the front door. Here you have the simplest, but no less effective ventilation of the bath, which was used by our ancestors.

In modern construction, completely different materials are used, and the approach to the construction of buildings is somewhat different. But if, during the construction of the bath, you do not think about laying the ventilation system, then the consequences of this will not keep you waiting, namely:

• Rapid wear of materials that were used for cladding and insulation of the bath. Without proper ventilation of the bath, after several years of operation, the owner will have to change not only the lining, but also the floor, and, quite possibly, the insulation. Temperature fluctuations and moisture, which is an inevitable companion of a steam room, are a destructive force that destroys materials in 3-5 years.
• The appearance of an unpleasant odor. This will inevitably happen in an unventilated steam room, as dampness and heat are the perfect microclimate for mold and mildew to grow. It is almost impossible to get rid of the smell of mold and mustiness in such a room, since it is strictly forbidden to use chemicals in the bath. This is not only harmful, but deadly.
• Poisoned air in the steam room. First of all, without proper air exchange, the level of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide can rise sharply in the steam room. Probably, there is no need to tell anyone what will happen to a person with an increase in the concentration of carbon monoxide by at least 0.1%. In addition, the high temperature of the air in the steam room, which is filled with evaporated sweat from your body. Well, in general, there can be no question of any healing effect in such an atmosphere.

The above arguments are enough to understand the axiom: ventilation in the steam room of the bath is not just necessary, but vital.

What should be the ventilation in the bath

As a rule, the ventilation of the steam room is limited to two or three ventilation openings of the required section. One supply, and the rest for the removal of "exhaust" air. It should be borne in mind that for a comfortable state of health, the air circulation in such a room should be at least 5 times. This means that the entire volume of air in the steam room must change five times in 1 hour. There are several nuances that are required for the installation of any ventilation scheme.

• You need to think about the location and size of the ventilation holes in the bath at the stage of its construction, since it will be very difficult to make holes in the finished steam room.
• The dimensions of the supply and exhaust vents must match. In some cases, the dimensions of the hood may be larger than the inflow.
• Ventilation openings must be equipped with valves. This will allow you to regulate the intensity of air circulation, and when heating the steam room, they can be completely closed to raise the temperature more quickly.
• A very important parameter is the cross section of the ventilation vents. It is important to know that their cross section depends entirely on the volume of the steam room. There should be 24 cm2 of ventilation per 1 m3 of volume.

The device of the ventilation system in the bath room

We have already talked a lot about what kind of ventilation is. For a bath, the same laws apply, and ventilation in it can be:

• Natural. With this type of ventilation, the circulation of air masses is created due to the difference in temperature and pressure between the air flow and the hood. Good circulation of air flows can be achieved only by the correct installation of ventilation openings: the inflow is at the bottom, and the exhaust is at the top of the room. As you know from school courses in physics, hot air rises and cold air goes down, so such a ventilation device in the bath will not be very convenient in terms of warming it up.
• Combined. This method of ventilation assumes the presence of one opening of natural ventilation and one vent, with a fan installed in it. The inflow will be mechanized or exhaust - it all depends on the scheme you have chosen.
• Mechanical. Such a ventilation system independently controls the flow of air masses and their exhaust, temperature and humidity, using automation. From the point of view of comfort, it is in the first place, but prices - in baths, such a system is practically not used due to the complexity of installation, and the high cost of equipment, design and maintenance.

Examples of ready-made ventilation schemes

There are several working ventilation schemes in the bath, which provide good air circulation, despite the fact that the steam room does not get cold.

1. The air inlet should be located at floor level, behind the stove, and the exhaust holes should be near the ceiling, but on the opposite wall from the inflow. Thanks to this arrangement, the incoming, colder air will enter the steam room and immediately be heated by the heater. After that, it rises to the ceiling, goes around it and lowers a little to exit into the exhaust vent.
2. If your stove works constantly during bathing procedures, you can use this option, where the inlet is located 30 cm from the floor, on the opposite side of the stove, and the blower and chimney will play the role of an exhaust hood.
3. If your bath has ventilated floors, then you can make an inflow behind the stove, at a height of 20-30 cm from the floor. Cold air will enter the steam room, be heated by the stove and rise up. Colder masses will sink, pass through the ventilation in the floor and be discharged outside the room.

And here are several options for the location of the inflow and exhaust using an exhaust fan.

1. The air inlet is located 30 cm from the floor - behind the stove, and the hood is located on the opposite wall 20 cm from the floor. One caveat: a fan is installed in the hood, which will create air circulation.
2. The inlet and outlet vents are located on the same wall, but only one is at the top and the other is at the bottom. The supply air, located 30 cm from the floor, is equipped with an exhaust fan of a given power.
3. The inflow is installed behind the stove, at a height of 30 cm from the floor and is equipped with a fan. An exhaust hole is made on the opposite wall 20 cm from the floor. The blown air is heated by the stove and heats the entire steam room evenly. After that, it, cooling down, goes down, where it exits through the hood.

Important!
To calculate the fan power, you need to multiply the volume of the steam room by the air circulation rate. Example: Steam room 2 m by 3 m. Its area is 6 m2. Ceiling height 2 m. Total: 6 x 2 = 12 m3. Now we multiply 12 m3 by the recommended air circulation rate of 5 and get 60 m3 / h fan performance for our steam room.

The most common mistakes in arranging ventilation in the bath

One of the most common mistakes of those who decide to do the ventilation of the bath with their own hands is the location of the inflow and exhaust vents on the same level. From such an arrangement, except for a draft, there will be no sense. If you used this arrangement of ventilation holes, then the inflow should be done behind the stove and equipped with a fan, and the exit, at the same level, but on the opposite wall.

Another mistake of novice builders is that many try to seal the bathhouse as much as possible from air entering it, make small windows and forget about arranging floor ventilation. Yes, such a steam room will be heated very quickly, but it will be impossible to take wellness treatments in it.

In fact, there are many shortcomings, and it is simply impossible to count them all, but by following certain rules, you can build a dream bath with your own hands, without additional costs for correcting mistakes.

Ventilation in the bath is essential. First of all, ventilation is designed to ensure the safety of people who take bath procedures.

Everyone knows that when you breathe, you inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. In a tightly closed room, he will begin to suffocate after a while. And in the steam room, where the temperature is high and the concentration of water vapor, this will begin to happen even faster.

Relaxing on a shelf, there is no time to get to the saving one. The price of the wrong ventilation device can be too high.

The second important factor is the decay of the tree. Enjoying bath procedures and benefiting from them, smelling rot and mold, is very problematic. Therefore, proper ventilation in a Russian bath is a guarantee not only of its benefits, but also of the health of vacationers.

In the photo - rotting wood with insufficient drying of the tree

Experts believe that such a ventilation device in the bath can be considered correct, in which the air in the room is replaced three times in one hour. The ventilation scheme in the bath is selected depending on the type of structure and materials used in the construction of the walls.

General principles of ventilation in the bath

The correct arrangement of the bath and ventilation in it, regardless of the type of structure, is based on the following basic principles:

• Fresh air that enters the steam room should not violate its temperature regime;
• The already exhausted air, which contains the most carbon dioxide, should be removed from the room;
• The location of the air in the steam room should be layered: the hottest - under the ceiling, on the bench - the most comfortable and cold - near the floor.

Note!
There should be no draft in the steam room!

If all these principles are followed, then bath procedures will bring the maximum effect for which they are calculated - the restoration of mental and physical strength.

Ventilation device in a free-standing wooden bath

Wood is considered an ideal building material for a bath. Wooden walls "breathe", so the issue of air exchange is partially solved in a natural way.

However, even in a wooden building in a steam room, ventilation is necessary. At least for quick drying of the tree after taking bath procedures.

An important role in the air exchange processes is played by the operation of the sauna stove. When water is poured on, a column of hot steam is created, which rises up. As it cools, it lowers, pushing the used air out of the steam room.

Together, the above factors allow you to create the necessary humidity and temperature in the steam room, and ensure normal air circulation.

Let us consider in more detail the ventilation device in wooden baths. The main tasks for us, of course, will be to ensure the inflow of fresh air and the removal of already exhausted air. Our instructions will help you cope with these tasks.

Ensuring air flow

The correct frame is laid in such a way that the lower crowns are free. With this installation, it is possible to access fresh air from the street.

In addition, in any case, there will be gaps around the steam room door that are sufficient for it to enter. The stove in such baths is placed closer to the door so that it immediately heats up.

If the steam room is designed for 6 or more people, a separate air duct is brought to the heater, which supports the combustion process. If you make this duct double, then the problem of fresh air supply is solved once and for all.

Exhaust air removal

If the heater is heated directly from the steam room, then the exhaust air is ejected through the furnace into. If the oven is properly installed, no additional holes are required.

In order to dry the room after the end of the bath procedures, a small hole (up to 200x200 mm) can be cut in the wall. At the time of heating and work of the steam room, it is closed with a special plug.

If there is a window in the steam room, such a hole is not needed. Sometimes a window from the steam room is cut through into the washing room, and either a through hole to the street or another window is already made in the washing room. Thus, when drying, two birds with one stone are immediately killed, both the steam room and the washing room are dried.

Thus, the myth that ventilation is not needed for a wooden bath is confirmed when the following conditions are met:

• The steam room is calculated for 2-4 people;
• The lower crowns of the log house are laid freely;
• The stove-heater is heated directly from the steam room;
• There is a hole or window in the wall for ventilation.

Actually, such family baths are usually built on personal plots.

Ventilation device in a free-standing brick bath

A brick structure, as well as a structure made of foam concrete, expanded clay blocks and other capital structures, is another matter. Ventilation in a brick bath is more complex.

The first difference is that the floors in a brick building must be ventilated. The thing is that the floors in the bath are constantly in contact with water, and if they are deaf, then you will have to change the boards about once every three to four years. You can not even talk about unpleasant odors and mold.

The ventilation of the floor in the bath is laid even at the stage of foundation construction. To do this, special holes are made in the foundation on opposite sides. These holes will provide through air circulation under the floor and dry the log.

The second difference is the obligatory presence in the steam room of special supply and exhaust openings. There may be several. Two air inlets are made at floor level and covered with bars so that rodents do not penetrate.

There are 4 most popular schemes for the ventilation device in the bath, from which you can choose the most suitable for you.

• Scheme No. 1. The air inlet is located behind the stove at a distance of 50 cm from the floor. An exhaust hole is cut in the opposite wall no higher than 30 cm from the floor. A bath fan is installed on it, which will circulate air.

According to this scheme, the air in the steam room is heated evenly, the incoming air is heated from the stove and rises. Cooling, it goes down and exits through the outlet. The lower it is located, the stronger the air flow will be. When using a fan, a ventilation valve can be installed on the outlet.

• Scheme No. 2. Suitable for those baths where the stove is heated from the steam room. In this case, the inflow is done directly under the stove. The flow of fresh air is sucked in by the stove, supporting combustion, and provides an inflow directly into the room.

The exhaust hole is located above the floor and a corrugated pipe is connected to it, which rises up to the level of the roof and goes outside. In other cases, the ventilation duct is made in the wall.

Note!
If the walls of the bath are made of expanded clay concrete blocks, then it is best to lay the ventilation ducts during construction.

• Scheme No. 3. According to this scheme, ventilation for the bath is arranged through cracks in the floor. In this case, the supply hole is made in the wall near the stove at a height of 30-50 cm from the floor. The air, heated up, rises and exits through the cracks between the floorboards into the basement. From the basement space, it is thrown out with the help of a special pipe.

Note! For the normal functioning of this type of ventilation, it is necessary to leave gaps between the floorboards of 5-10 mm.

• Scheme No. 4. This scheme is suitable in cases where the stove also heats other rooms.

Fresh air is sucked in by the stove through holes in the floor and, passing through the firebox, goes into the steam room and into the washing room. It is removed from the premises through the holes located below, above the floor level.

There are also combined ventilation schemes, but for their do-it-yourself device, consultation with a specialist is necessary.

To clearly understand how ventilation is arranged in the bath, the video in this article will help you.

Bath procedures heal and relax. However, without good ventilation in the steam room, being in it can end in problems. In addition, if wooden shelves and walls are not dried regularly, they will not last long.

Wood from the abundance of moisture will inevitably begin to deteriorate. However, it is not so difficult to make effective ventilation in the bath with your own hands. There are several schemes for its device in this room. You can always choose the best option for self-implementation.

The main types of ventilation for baths

The classic Russian bath is a small room. Not all types of ventilation can be implemented in it. Often in complex air exchange systems in this case there is no need. And most owners of country cottages and summer cottages, who build a steam room with their own hands, prefer to look for the simplest solutions.

All variations of ventilation systems are divided into:

• natural;
• forced (supply, exhaust and combined).

Air distribution in the steam room with proper ventilation

In the first case, ventilation is built so that the processes of air exchange in the room occur due to natural draft and convection. In the second, the air is forced to move around the room with the help of a fan installed on the exhaust, inflow, or both directions at once.

To organize ventilation in the bath, you can use all these methods. However, the natural option is more preferable. It is cheap, non-volatile and does not require supervision of electrical equipment. But in some cases it is not enough.

Air flow during natural ventilation

For example, it was decided to make a steam room in the house itself, and not in the form of a separate building on the street. Then only exhaust or supply ventilation can help. It is not recommended to equip a combined supply and exhaust analogue with a heat exchanger or electric heater in a bathhouse due to the high cost and complexity of installation. And in the steam room, such an option with additional air heating is simply not needed.

Air circulation in the bath, depending on the location of the stove

Ventilation schemes for steam rooms and baths

It doesn't matter if there is a fan in the duct or not. Ventilation in the bath is always done so that there are two ventilation ducts (windows or openings to the street). One input goes to the supply, and the second output to the exhaust. Moreover, ideally, they should be located on opposite walls and have doors, valves or latches to adjust the draft.

On the one hand, proper ventilation in the steam room should ensure a constant supply of oxygen inside, and on the other hand, it should not draw heat too quickly outside. If the air exchange is made too intense, then no firewood can be saved for such a bathhouse. All heated air will immediately go outside.

Temperature distribution in a ventilated steam room

The wood stove and electric heater continuously burn oxygen during operation. And the ventilation in the bath should also continuously replace it so that those who come to take a steam bath do not feel discomfort. Therefore, bath ventilation windows should have valves that will allow you to regulate the volume of air supply and exhaust.

The most effective schemes for placing ventilation windows in the bath are considered (direction "inflow" - "exhaust"):

1. On the wall near the stove - on the wall opposite above the shelf.
2. On the wall by the stove - through the cracks in the floor and further into the outlet of the dressing room.
3. On the wall under the shelf - in the chimney.
4. Through an outlet in the foundation and a crack in the floor - on the wall under the ceiling.

Types of hoods

In the first case, cold air is heated at the stove and goes up to the opposite wall, where the shelves are located. When implementing the second version of bath ventilation, the heated air masses first rise to the ceiling, and then, due to the draft, they fall and are pulled out through the cracks between the floor boards.

In the third scheme, a small pocket with stagnant hot air is created above the shelf. But such ventilation still draws oxygen into the steam bath and in sufficient quantities.

The fourth option involves the presence of vents in the subfield. It is more difficult to execute it in an already built bath with your own hands. In a poured concrete foundation, punching holes for ventilation is a problematic task. But with it, floor boards below the ground will always dry quickly after bath procedures and will last longer.

Methods for locating ventilation in the bath

The entrance window should be located at a height of 20–40 cm from the floor, and the exit window should be 15–20 cm below the ceiling. It is best if both of them are the same size. And both should be provided with blinds or a valve.

Exhaust and supply ventilation is usually done with a duct fan, which is mounted directly into the duct. It should be chosen for a bath with increased protection against steam and high temperature. All mechanical and electrical components of this fan must have improved waterproofing. IP protection here should be chosen at least "54".

You can always ventilate the steam room by simply opening the doors and windows in it. You don't even need air vents for this. So the internal hot air is replaced by cold external air in just a couple of minutes.

Hot air circulation in the steam room

However, it is difficult to call proper ventilation through open doors. In this case, all the steam ends up in the dressing room, where it instantly turns into condensate on the walls and interior items. This type of “volley” ventilation should be resorted to only in extreme situations.

Important nuances of the do-it-yourself bath ventilation device

If everything is done correctly, then you need to plan ventilation in the bath at the design stage. In an already finished building, it is more difficult to make ventilation holes even in wood than at the same time as laying a log house. The area of ​​​​the vent should be about 200-300 square meters. see. This is more than enough for the majority of small square steam rooms.

Bath ventilation scheme

Another important point is the dowels in the walls, which fasten the logs together. If they are metal, then when creating vents, it is important not to run into these rods.

It is better to generally move the vents away from them as far as possible to the side. It will still not be possible to completely get rid of moisture, so the metal of the fasteners should be kept away from it.

Steam room plan with ventilation

Vents are not recommended to be placed on the same wall. In this case, the ventilation will be such that the air flow will immediately go from the bottom up, without circulating through the steam room. Holes should be made in height no more than the section of the log (beam). The required opening area is easier to select by increasing its length. It is impossible to build an outlet between two logs. This is more difficult to perform and can lead to damage when the log house settles.

Forced ventilation in the bath

The outlets of the steam room ventilation ducts from the outer wall must be protected from precipitation. If water gets inside the holes, it will be inside the wooden walls. And for a long time after that, the wood is unlikely to stand without decay.

When making ventilation in a Russian wooden bathhouse, the outlet vent should be led into its wall, and not into the ceiling. Bath steam should go immediately to the street. There is nothing for him to do in the attic. There are wooden rafters, to which excess moisture is contraindicated.