If you find that the waste smell is overpowering or getting a little too strong it’s worth noting that all exhaust vents should be at least 600ml above the roof of your dwelling so the first place to start is to double-check the height of your exhaust pipe.

If your pipe is the regulation height you can extend the pipe to enable smells to reach a higher altitude before escaping into the atmosphere. This can be a particularly handy tip if you live in an area where there’s little natural airflow (like a gully for example).

We need to keep those ventilation pipes free from obstruction to maintain the airflow.

Build up in ventilation pipes can be caused by many different reasons:

• Condensation can pool in horizontal pipes
• Particles can be sucked into the housing for the fan over time
• Spiders and mud wasps can build webs and nests if the vent cap isn’t secured

Ventilation is also used to manage smells. If you like to keep your bathroom smelling clean and fresh, the fan operation will be at the top of your priority list. That’s why we always recommend having a spare fan on hand for emergencies.