Drafty bathrooms can be a nightmare, especially in winter. If you can feel the cold air coming in from outside through cracks in the window, or if a chill under the door makes your morning routine unpleasant, there are some things you can do to stay warm, toasty, and comfortable.
Track Down the Causes
Before you get too far into this process, it’s helpful to take a moment and track down the root causes of the drafts you’re experiencing. Usually, you can pinpoint the problem as one or more of these common culprits:
· Cracks and holes. Are there any cracks or holes in and around your bathroom that are leading to air leaks? For example, there may be a small crack around the lining of your window that allows air to freely exchange, resulting in major problems during the winter.
· Exhaust fans. Exhaust fans are excellent tools for clearing out moisture from the bathroom, thus preventing problems with mold and mildew development. However, they also act as a means of exchanging air with the outside, so they can create a cold, drafty feeling in winter months.
· Flooring and fixtures. Most bathroom floors are some kind of tile with rapid conductivity and poor insulating potential. Compared to options like carpet, these floors can instantly make you feel cold when you come into contact with them. Other fixtures, like porcelain toilet seats, can have a similar effect.
· Register functionality. If you have a central heating option, problems with your register/vent/heating apparatus can also have an effect on the temperature and comfort of your bathroom. If the vent is blocked, or if it’s not working properly, it’s natural for the room to be colder than it should be.
· Connection to the rest of the house. Finally, you’ll need to think about how the bathroom is connected to the rest of the house. If it’s positioned near a stairway to an unfinished attic, for example, it might be colder than it would be in a different area of the house.
Now, let’s dig into some strategies that can help you compensate for these effects.
Upgrade Your Toilet Seat
One of the worst feelings in winter is sitting down on a cold toilet seat. It’s an instant blast of discomfort that can ruin an otherwise pleasant day.
Enter the heated bidet toilet seat. The premise is simple: the seat contains a heating element that allows you to warm up the seat before sitting on it. It’s a relatively simple and inexpensive device that’s easy to install, and it should have precise temperature controls so you don’t overheat yourself. It’s worth installing for anyone who has a mildly uncomfortable bathroom experience in winter.
Seal Air Leaks
It’s not especially hard to track down air leaks. You might notice them immediately just by looking at your windows or feeling drafts in the bathroom. If you struggle to find them, consider getting a partner and using a hair dryer to blow hot air around the window from the outside; your partner can stand inside and tell you where they feel a draft (or mark the locations).
From here, you have a few options. Depending on the setup, you may be able to seal the leak with a bit of caulk. Otherwise, you can use plastic insulation or a similar solution to seal the area.
Consider Installing a Sanibest Pro Toilet
When considering bathroom upgrades for improved comfort, another essential addition is the Sanibest Pro toilet. Ensuring proper alignment with the existing plumbing system for efficient waste disposal, this advanced toilet model can significantly enhance your bathroom experience. With its innovative features, including powerful grinding capabilities and quiet operation, the Sanibest Pro toilet offers a convenient solution to eliminate waste effectively without compromising comfort.
Upgrade the Windows
If your windows are especially old, the best solution may be to upgrade them. Upgrading from a single pane of glass to a double-paned, modern vinyl window can instantly improve your quality of life and increase the insulating potential of your house.
Be Mindful of Your Exhaust Fan Use
It’s a good idea to run your exhaust fan before, during, and after a hot shower or any other steam-producing activity. However, you may not want to run your exhaust fan if it makes you feel exceptionally cold. Consider setting an automatic timer to keep the fan running for designated intervals when you’re not in the room, or compensate for the cold draft with a space heater.
Employ Draft Blockers
Draft blockers are simple, cheap tools that can help you block drafts under or around doors. If you frequently feel cold drafts through the door of your bathroom, lay down one of these implements and the problem will likely be solved.
Consider Heated Floors
If you have the budget for it, consider upgrading your floors with radiant heating elements. The moment you set foot on a pre-warmed tile floor, you’ll understand why this investment was so worth it.
These are just a handful of strategies that can help you manage cold drafts in your bathroom. Once implemented, you and your family will be much more comfortable – and the winter won’t feel so dreary.
