What dangers lie in ventilation vents?

It so happened in life that I had to move several times, and I learned from my own experience how important it is for the ventilation to work properly. Seeing these inconspicuous squares under the ceiling, you just want to decorate them with something so that they don’t stand out from the overall look. But you shouldn’t do this; working ventilation vents protect you from many troubles, especially in apartment buildings.

Vent vent can be dangerous

In multi-storey buildings, a common communications network has been designed and built: water, drainage, heating, gas supply, ventilation. Each performs its task throughout the entire house. Any violation or unauthorized redevelopment of pipes leads to a violation of the overall system. A gas explosion and flooding of several floors may occur. Against this background, the ventilation possibilities seem very modest. But I don’t recommend underestimating them, because if the ventilation doesn’t work, then:

• there is no circulation and renewal of air;
• unpleasant odors occur;
• mold and mildew appear;
• the service life of finishing materials is reduced several times;
• the level of humidity in the room increases;
• the guarantee of the health of residents disappears.

People often look for the reasons for the deterioration of living conditions in an apartment, without thinking that when condensation appears on the windows and the first signs of mold, they must first check the draft in the ventilation.

What is the danger?

In old houses, most often after installing plastic windows, people complain about increased humidity and the appearance of an unpleasant odor. The paradox lies in the collision of the old layout and new technological advances. Hermetically sealed windows do not eliminate drafts, and narrow ventilation shafts are unable to provide a constant flow of air. And if one of the neighbors closed their vents or covered them with wallpaper, then the whole floor or vertical becomes bad.

Another reason is the reluctance to regularly check the ventilation and clean it. You have to pay for it, and no one wants extra expenses. But when toilet smells or other unappetizing aromas begin to be heard from the neighboring apartment, then a check will have to be carried out.

The danger also lies in unauthorized redevelopment with disruption of general communications. The air supply is limited and dangerous situations arise.

When a gas leaks, most of it escapes through the vents, but if they do not function, then the danger of an explosion increases several times.

How to protect yourself

Clogged ventilation passages become a source of proliferation of bacteria that cause allergies, pulmonary diseases, and asthma. Air stagnation causes wallpaper to deteriorate due to high humidity. The most unpleasant moment lies in the appearance of uninvited guests - cockroaches - from the vents.

Lucky are those who live in a friendly building where neighbors get along well with each other. Then insect control is carried out by agreement in all apartments and utility rooms at once. If this is not the case, cockroaches migrate from one kitchen to another through the ventilation. The solution is to install a very fine mesh on the vent.

But you will have to monitor it, wipe it and replace it with a new one if the cells become clogged with dust.

To avoid problems, you must:

• regularly check the draft with a lit match or lighter;
• clean the vents in your apartment yourself or call specialists;
• do not close the vents and do not carry out unauthorized redevelopment that violates the air ducts;
• If possible, make friends with your neighbors.

It is much easier to solve many issues together, especially when they relate to the general safety of the residents of the house.