Bathroom condensation can be an irritating problem and one that is costly to put right. Here we take a look at how bathrooms get condensation, the consequences of this and five solutions to remedy the problem.
How Bathrooms Get Condensation
There are a number of factors that cause bathroom condensation. In most cases, it is due to the relatively small size of the room and the content of the air being too saturated with moisture. Typically the air in the bathroom becomes saturated due to steam from running showers and baths. However, it can also occur from hanging wet towels and clothing in the bathroom too. Once the air is saturated, it starts to deposit water droplets on surfaces that are cooler than the air. This means that walls, ceilings and windows quickly become damp.
The Consequences of Condensation
Over a prolonged period, condensation can cause a number of problems in the bathroom. It can lead to stained walls and ceilings, damage and peeling of wallpaper, rotten window frames and window sills. Another common symptom of condensation in the bathroom is mould – usually seen as black spots. This mould can create spores which are air-born, and often lead to health problems, especially in the young and oldest members of your household.
5 Ways to Remedy Condensation
As you can image, fixing the damage caused by condensation in the bathroom can be expensive. However there are a number of free ways to remedy the problem, as well as other affordable options.
- Provide ventilation – ventilation is key when trying to eliminate, or reduce the amount of damage condensation causes. When in the shower or taking a bath, open the window and close the bathroom door. This will stop the moisture escaping to other parts of your house whilst providing a way for the moisture to leave your house completely.
- Install an extractor fan – an extractor fan will help to circulate the air in the bathroom, drawing new air in from outside whilst pushing the saturated air out. Extractor fans come in a wide range of price ranges so choose one which suits your budget and remember to maintain it.
- Lower the temperature of your bath or shower – by simply reducing the temperature of your bath or shower by a few degrees you will significantly reduce the amount of condensation in your bathroom. Although this won’t help eliminate the problem altogether, it can stop it getting worse in the short run.
- Try to maintain a constant temperature in the bathroom – use wall heaters and fans to try and maintain the temperature in the bathroom. This will ensure that the wall, ceiling and air temperature are all the same, so condensation is unlikely to form.
- Install thermal insulation – thermal insulation in the form of Climapor Thermal Insulation Tiles have been specially designed to help ensure walls, ceiling and even floors are a constant temperature, leading to less condensation. Made of extruded polystyrene, these tiles help to reduce heat loss in the bathroom, with the aim of getting the wall temperature and air temperature much closer. The tiles can be easily applied directly to bathroom walls using special adhesive and can then be papered, tiled or painted over to achieve your desired look. Climapor Thermal Insulation Tiles can also help you save money by reducing heat loss from the bathroom, leading to lower heating bills.