Cutting a hole in Bathroom Blind to allow ventilation (with pic)

[Towcester]

Just removed loads of mould off bathroom ceiling, sanded and painted 3 coats of mould resistant paint. Don't want to have to do it again for a long time.

My family tend to take longish showers. The window is open but for privacy the blind is rolled right down so barely any steam escapes and the walls can be dripping by the time the shower has finished and blind opened.

See below pic but idea 1 would it be to cut a hole in the blind where it matches the top window to allow steam to escape?. It would be high enough that we keep our privacy and when the blind is rolled up it would look normal. Not sure of the material but it was from Hillary's Blinds some years ago and it's pretty much bomb proof so not sure how I would cut it cleanly.

Idea number 2 is to lower the blind to the level where the top part of the window can be opened and allow the steam to escape. Hopefully this will still be high enough to provide privacy (though my head would stick over blind a bit).

Is this an odd thing to do also like idea 1. Worried it will look crap and would it work?

I would keep the old brackets in situ in case we want to revert (maybe if we sell up etc) but would need to add a new set if brackets lower. Never drilled into tiles before. Is it hard? Watched a video about using masking tape etc but of course they always go smoothly in those videos. What are the chances of cracking a tile? Which drill bit is it? The timber one with pointy end? Any tips?

Pic is the window and blind. The right side of window opens at top and below. There is a towel rail and 12v fan but still getting mould so these ideas are the last thing I can think of.

Any other ideas?

It will look crap. I’d upgrade the fan. How is it controlled- time switch or humidity sensor? If the former, make sure it runs for longer, and if the latter, adjust it to about 60% RH.

Remove the blind.
Replace the extractor fan with a stronger model.
Open both windows AFTER your shower (and keep the door closed).

Honestly I’d bin the blind and (if you’re worried about privacy- I wouldn’t be) whack a few leafy plants on that windowsill and call it a day.

Unless it on the ground floor your frost window should be ok for privacy
But yes upgrade extractor fan.
Open the window after.
In our ensuite we actually put plastic / acrylic on the ceiling above the shower - doesn't get mouldy now.

Bin the blind and replace it with venetian.
Upgrade the extractor.
Tell your family to leave the door ajar slightly when using the shower, surely it is not hard to work out someone is in the shower.
If that too difficult - get a door latch with a chain.

We have a voile as well as the frosted glass for privacy.

I don't want my neighbours seeing a naked body walking around even if it's not "clear".

Fan is operated by light switch and stays on 10 minutes or so after light is switched off. When i got it i stalled the electrician explained that you can only have a 12v fan over a shower. We could have a stronger one a bit further away but that would be further from the source of the steam and main area of mould. Alas, we went with his recommendation but perhaps he cheaper out on the choice of fan. Might look into getting an electrician to upgrade it. What would I look for brands/models wise and how much roughly given the hole in the wall and electrics should ve in place. Must say I barely noticed any improvement after it was installed.

The blind does not just provide privacy, it stops the window ledge and window getting absolutely drenched. Had a damp problem below the bathroom in the past which almost certainly was caused by this. I know you could regrout and silicone to prevent this and I will get that done soon but having the blind massively reduces risk of this damp returning.

Ok,
Setting aside the idiot architect and builder who thought a full window in the shower was a good idea, I think I have a solution. Initially I thought, like a pp, just get rid of the blind, but I see it blocks the shower water from going all over the window sill and making the wall damp from your update.

Move the blind down the window. See attached. That way you can pull down the blind when showering AND have a window open to let out the steam. The shower water isn’t going to go as high as the top window. Open the top window while showering. It’s frosted glass and up high so no one’s going to be able to look in and see anything. Leave the window open and close the bathroom door after your showers until it dries out.

The extractor fan is ok. There aren’t any powerful enough to result in not needing a cracked window given your family takes long steamy showers.

I would replace the blind with a waterproof window shutter like this shutters.co.uk/new-to-shutters/shutters-by-room/bathroom-shutters which will protect your window ledge and provide privacy whilst allowing you to keep the window open. I'd also check whether the loft insulation has moved away from the bit of ceiling where it is getting mouldy, because if the ceiling is cold then water will condense on it much more easily.

Don't listen to those who tell you you don't need a blind.

At night when you've the light on the frosted glass does f-all. I only found out when I came home late and DH was bathing dc and it was like looking through plain glass. I have evening showers and had been putting on a show for passers by, I even remember some lads whispering 'it's her' to each other when I was out once 😬😬

You can get blinds which go up from the bottom
www.bottomupblinds.co.uk/

In line fans are way more powerful but will need ducting out. Another option is a dehumidifier in the room/space outside the bathroom and then leave the door open after use.

You could install a second fan in the actual window itself.

10 mins post shower may not be enough - you could set the timer to 20 mins?

Why did the electrician put the fan over the shower and not in the wall above the window?

I had the same problem so I have cut up a cheap shower curtain and hung it from a pressure mounted curtain rail just below the level of the open window. It obscures enough to be useful but means the walls don't get as wet after the DCs shower.

It seems to be working and looks fine. I did buy a washable one and have hemmed it so I'll have to see how it copes longer term, I'm worried it might get moldy on the bits I have sewn.

@Joshitai that is basically my other idea so think I will likely go down that route. It should work and is a bit similar to what @CornedBeef451 describes but I will use the existing blind.

Bit scared of drilling I tiles though. Would hate to crack one. Are the brackets for this type of blind generic (will leave existing ones in place).

Change the blind to a PVC/Waterproof venetian blind?

Just make sure you have a masonry bit on your drill. 🙂
I would just use the existing brackets..you can fill in the holes with a bit of silicone sealant.

The shutters are a good idea- not sure what your budget is for this.
I agree you need some blind/shutter something for night, but going from the top of the bottom window down will be enough to obscure even a 6ft person from shoulders down.

Ask the electrician to separate out the fan and the light switch so you can control each independently. We did this because we live in the north of Scotland and never use the lights in summer. That way you can leave the fan on for a good half an our without the lights.

Pull the blind up a few inches whilst showering with the window open. Leave the blind up and the windows open for at least half an hour preferably an hour after showering. Door closed.

You already have an extractor fan. Presumably it doesn't work well.

1. What is the height of the lowest part of the existing fan above floor level? This is important. Accurately, though I suppose to the nearest 10mm would do.

Yes, measured from the floor.

2. can you see a make or model?

3. do you have access to the ceiling, in the loft or something?

You've got frosted glass- you don't need a blind! Maybe buy a dehumidifier

Don’t bin the blind without replacing it with something that works better. There’s a house behind me without a blind and if I happen to look outside at the wrong time of day I get an eyeful. Full frontal of whoever happens to have stepped out of the shower. Not pleasant.

Blinds2go do loads of waterproof Venetians.

Please tell me more about the ceiling! I'm thinking I need this but don't know where to start.