Definitely agree on the gloves and goggles—seen too many close calls myself. Speaking of ventilation, did you go with a standard exhaust fan or upgrade to one with humidity sensors? I've been debating if the sensor models are worth the extra cost... seems handy, but I'm not sure if it's just a gimmick or actually helps prevent mold long-term. Curious what others think who've tried them out.
I haven't personally installed one with humidity sensors yet, but I've worked on a couple jobs where the homeowner had them. Honestly, they seem pretty useful—especially if you've got family members who tend to forget to switch the fan on after showers. The sensor kicks in automatically, which could definitely help keep moisture levels down and prevent mold buildup over time.
That said, I'm always a bit cautious about relying too heavily on tech. Sensors can fail or get finicky, and then you're back to square one. If you do go that route, I'd suggest still keeping an eye on things periodically just to make sure it's working properly. Maybe even pair it with a timer switch as a backup? Might be overkill, but better safe than sorry...
"Sensors can fail or get finicky, and then you're back to square one."
Haha, exactly my worry. I installed one of those humidity-sensing fans last year, and while it's mostly been great, it does have its moments. Like, sometimes it'll randomly kick on at 2 AM when no one's showered for hours—maybe my house is haunted by a very clean ghost? 😅
But seriously, pairing it with a timer switch is actually a pretty solid idea. Wish I'd thought of that earlier. I ended up just wiring mine so I can override it manually if it gets too quirky. Still beats yelling at the kids to turn the fan on every single time, though...
Curious if anyone's tried those smart switches you can control from your phone? Seems handy, but also feels like another thing that could glitch out on me at the worst possible moment.
"Curious if anyone's tried those smart switches you can control from your phone?"
I gave one a shot in our guest bathroom, and honestly... mixed feelings. It's super convenient to remotely check if someone left the fan running, but occasionally the app lags or disconnects, especially after updates. I ended up wiring a manual override too—just feels safer knowing I can physically switch it off without relying on Wi-Fi. Maybe I'm overly cautious, but tech glitches at 2 AM aren't my idea of fun.
I get where you're coming from about the tech glitches. I've installed a few smart switches for clients, and while most love the convenience, there's always the occasional hiccup. Seems like every update fixes one issue but creates another... typical tech cycle, right? Your manual override idea sounds pretty solid though—might suggest that next time someone asks me about installing these. Better safe than sorry when Wi-Fi decides to take a midnight nap.
