Correctly specified and professionally installed bathroom and kitchen extractor fans. We source the right unit for your property, install it properly and ensure it terminates to outside. Covering all of Greater Manchester.
It is one of the most common findings when we assess properties for condensation and mould: an extractor fan is present but it is either inadequate for the room, incorrectly installed or both. A fan mounted on a bathroom wall that exhausts into a void rather than to outside air does nothing to reduce humidity. A fan sized for a small toilet, installed in a family bathroom used daily by four people, cannot keep up with the moisture load.
The Building Regulations Approved Document F specifies minimum extract ventilation rates. For a bathroom, the minimum is 15 litres per second (54 m3/hour). For a kitchen with a hob, the minimum is 30 litres per second continuous or 60 litres per second when cooking. Many fans sold in DIY stores do not meet these standards, and even those that do on paper will not achieve rated performance if the duct run is too long, has too many bends or is blocked with lint and grease.
Our approach is to assess the existing situation before recommending any solution. We check the fan specification, measure airflow, inspect the duct run and identify any termination issues. We then provide a fixed price for a correctly specified installation.
We install, replace and upgrade extraction in bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms and WCs. The type of fan recommended depends on the room size, usage pattern and existing duct arrangement.
Standard axial fans rated at 15 l/s minimum, with options for timer-controlled and humidity-sensing operation. We recommend humidity-sensing fans for family bathrooms and timer-only fans for lower-use rooms. All units are IP-rated for safe use in wet zones. Suitable for wall or ceiling mounting with duct runs up to approximately 4 metres depending on unit.
Kitchen extraction operates at significantly higher flow rates than bathroom extraction. For cooking areas we specify centrifugal fans capable of 30 to 60 l/s with correctly sized duct runs. We install both recirculation hoods (where ducting to outside is impractical) and ducted extraction. Ducted extraction is always preferred where possible.
Utility rooms with washing machines and tumble dryers generate significant moisture and chemical vapour. WCs without external windows are legally required to have mechanical extraction. We install appropriate fans in both settings, ensuring compliance with Building Regulations Part F and ensuring duct runs are correctly sealed and insulated.
We frequently correct poor installations carried out by unqualified fitters or as part of broader building work. These are the standards every installation we carry out meets.
If you have already purchased a fan and need professional installation, we can fit it. If you would prefer us to source the right unit for your property, we will specify and supply it at trade cost. Either way, you get a correctly specified, properly installed system.
We install fans from Vent-Axia, Nuaire, Airflow, Manrose and Xpelair, as well as other quality brands. We recommend the unit best suited to your specific situation, not the one with the highest margin.
Approved Document F of the Building Regulations sets minimum ventilation rates for dwellings. Our installations always comply. Here are the key requirements relevant to extraction.
Minimum intermittent extract rate for a bathroom. Equivalent to 54 m3/hour. A common 100mm domestic fan typically delivers 85-95 m3/hour when correctly installed.
Minimum continuous extract rate for a kitchen. When extracting over a cooker, minimum 60 l/s is required. Hob extraction must be effective and ducted to outside where possible.
Minimum extract rate for a utility room. Higher rates are advisable where tumble dryers vent to the room. Condensing dryers are preferable in poorly ventilated spaces.
Minimum extract rate for a WC without an openable external window. All such rooms require mechanical extraction by law. Timer or continuous low-rate fans are both acceptable.
Bathroom wiring work is notifiable under Part P if it involves new circuits or work in zones 1 or 2. We certify all notifiable work to ensure compliance.
Fans installed within 0.6m of a bath or shower must be rated IP44 minimum. Fans in zone 1 (directly above or adjacent to water) require IP45 or above.
There are several common reasons. The fan may be undersized for the room volume, meaning it cannot move enough air to make a significant difference. The duct run may be too long, reducing airflow considerably. The duct may terminate into a void rather than outside the building. The fan may run on the light switch only, without a timer, meaning it stops before moisture has been removed. A correctly specified and installed fan with an appropriate timer or humidity sensor will resolve most bathroom condensation problems.
Extractor fan installation in a bathroom is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations if it involves new circuit wiring or work in zones 1 or 2 around the bath or shower. Our installers are Part P competent and provide certificates of compliance where required. We handle the full installation including the electrical connection.
A timer fan runs for a set period after the light is switched off, typically 5 to 20 minutes, ensuring moisture is extracted even after you leave the bathroom. A humidity-sensing fan monitors the relative humidity in the room and runs whenever humidity exceeds a set threshold, regardless of whether the light is on. Humidity-sensing fans are generally more effective in bathrooms used frequently or for long periods.
In most cases yes. We can replace a like-for-like extractor fan using the existing hole and duct, with minimal disruption. Where the existing installation was inadequate, such as a short duct that did not reach outside, additional ductwork will be required. We assess the existing installation before providing a quote so there are no surprises.
A simple test is to hold a sheet of tissue paper near the fan grille while the fan is running. The tissue should be drawn firmly against the grille and held there. If it falls away or flutters weakly, the fan is not pulling sufficient airflow. This could be due to a blocked filter, a blocked or crushed duct, or a fan that is undersized for the kitchen volume.
We cover Manchester, Tameside, Stockport, Trafford, Lancashire, Oldham, Rochdale, Wigan, Bolton, Bury and all surrounding areas. Call to check availability and book a free assessment.
Call today for a fixed price quote. Fast, tidy and done properly. We cover Manchester, Tameside, Stockport, Trafford, Lancashire, Oldham, Rochdale, Wigan, Bolton and Bury.
07791 561944Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm
