Condensation in the bathroom is incredibly frustrating and is unfortunately a very common problem in the majority of homes. After you’ve just jumped out of the shower or a long and relaxing hot bath, you notice those water droplets forming on your fresh walls, windows, and mirrors.
So what should you do ? Should you stop taking a hot shower all together? Is this a cause for concern? and how to actually prevent condensation from occurring in the first place? Read on to find out!
How does condensation in bathrooms form?
Moisture
Condensation in the bathroom is generally caused by moisture that’s been released into the air and mixed with water vapour. When it makes contact with cold surfaces such as your bathroom walls or tiles, the droplets form as it gets cooled by these cold surfaces.
Bathroom condensation is not just an annoyance; it can be a serious health hazard. As dampness accumulates on the walls, ceilings, and fixtures in your bathroom, it creates an ideal breeding ground for mould and mildew. Not only does this make your bathroom look unpleasant, but it can also cause harmful airborne particles to enter your humble abode.
Black mouldy growth can form and will linger for long periods of time once it forms inside the walls of your bathroom or behind tiles. Eventually, it can lead to structural damage as well as expensive repairs.
You don’t want that.
What are the symptoms of mould?
Mould spores can cause respiratory issues including asthma attacks and other allergies, as well as skin irritations and rashes.
Long term effects
Mould growth is especially harmful for those with a weaker immunity. Moreover, if you live with an elderly or children with pre existing allergies then you might want to take extra caution in preventing mould as they are more susceptible.
Prevent Mould
Air filters can be a great way to help manage bathroom condensation and the associated health hazards of mould and mildew. By actively circulating air and cleaning out any pollutants, air purifiers will help reduce the amount of moisture in your bathroom. This is because they help to eliminate airborne pollutants, as well as reduce humidity levels by absorbing and filtering out moisture.
Wipe down all Surfaces
Wiping down the surfaces in your bathroom dry will also help prevent any build up of mould. It’s not exactly a lot of fun having to do this every time you use the bathroom, though it only takes a few seconds and it will save you a great deal of time in the long-run.
Clean the Bathtub
Regularly clean your bathroom properly. This includes the showers, basins, bath tubs and everywhere else. As mould will form on wet surfaces, it is important that you dry up anywhere that is wet ( this also includes under your toiletries, soaps, shampoo etc) . Clean each product in turn and wipe dry to prevent mould growth. If you want, you can use a special mould wash to help.
The importance of Ventilation
To avoid these problems and ensure optimal health, proper ventilation must be installed in any bathroom space where condensation is present. Proper ventilation will help keep excess moisture levels at bay while also providing a comfortable environment free from musty odours or any associated health risks.
With the right ventilation system in place within your bathroom, you’ll create a haven of peace and tranquillity that provides both aesthetic appeal and improved air quality for its occupants.
Nevertheless, there are a number of ways in which you can deal with condensation in order to keep your bathroom less prone to disgusting build-ups of mould.
How can you prevent condensation in the bathroom?
For the most part, you’ll never be able to completely avoid condensation – it’s like that annoying colleague that you have to speak to at work every now and again; you could just quit your job, but then you’d have no money to eat. So if you want to avoid condensation altogether, you should just never wash yourself again. But then, you’ll smell, and nobody will want to be around you. It is a vicious cycle.
So, let’s jump into some of the more practical ways to prevent condensation happening in your bathroom.
Open Your Windows
First and foremost, if you want to start preventing condensation, begin by opening your windows.
Another great way of reducing the condensation levels in your bathroom is by installing double-glazing windows. Single glazing is invariably colder and promotes more condensation.
Install an Extractor Fan
Not every bathroom has a window, if this is the case in your home, don’t panic! Having an extractor fan installed can really help to reduce your condensation levels. Without a window or an extractor fan, all of the moisture in the air will have nowhere to go, leading to a number of issues. The extractor fan basically takes the moisture in the air and transports it outside – just be sure to clean it thoroughly and often for the best results.
Bathroom Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers extract the moisture from the air and collect it in a small water bowl. Simply leaving one running whenever you are using the bathroom will significantly reduce the build-up of condensation.
As we’ve mentioned before, cold surfaces will draw in condensation so you want to ensure your bathroom is as warm as possible. Having your central heating radiator switched on, or alternatively installing underfloor heating and heated towel rails in your bathroom can help with this problem.
Anti condensation paint
This won’t just make your bathroom shine – it can help keep you healthy! By preventing the buildup of moisture on your walls, ceilings, and fixtures, anti condensation paint helps reduce the potential for mould and mildew growth.
Say no to hot showers during winter times?
The colder months are an especially difficult time for bathroom condensation. The cold air causes moisture in the bathroom to form quicker, resulting in higher humidity levels. This in turn leads to a greater amount of condensation forming on surfaces, leading to the growth of mould and mildew.
In order to counteract this, it is important to have good insulation during the winter months so you can increase the temperature of the cold surfaces and prevent the moisture in the air from condensing.
Prevent your Bathroom Mirror from Steaming up
Bathroom mirrors can quickly steam up and become covered in condensation. There are a couple of solutions to prevent this from happening. You can fit a new mirror with a heated demister pad – this will keep the surface of the mirror warm, so there’s no chance for any condensation to form.
If you’re anything like me and you enjoy checking yourself out in the mirror when you’re all wet and sexy then try out this cool hack: simply lather your mirror in shaving cream and then wipe it off with a towel – believe it or not, this will keep the mirror mist free for a while!
In conclusion, there are a variety of ways to prevent condensation from occurring in your bathroom. From opening windows and installing double-glazing to using an extractor fan or dehumidifier as well as heating systems like radiators and heated towel rails, you can make sure that the air is kept warm enough so that moisture doesn’t have a chance to form on surfaces.
