Ideally, bathrooms should offer a space for peace and tranquillity in the home, but you’re likely all too aware of a pesky factor that compromises this: condensation. At best, condensation causes small, pesky watermarks to appear on bathroom surfaces; at worst, it can cause black mould to form, which can lead to medical issues such as nasal congestion and throat irritation. As the most humid room in the home, condensation is inevitable. However, there are ways to mitigate its formation and reduce its harmfulness. This blog provides a handy guide to help you do just that.

What is condensation and how does it form?

Condensation is the process in which water vapour is converted to liquid. This usually occurs when humid air comes into contact with a cold surface, leading to the formation of small water droplets on the surface. By their nature, bathrooms hold a lot of moisture in the air, while they also contain numerous cold surfaces like mirrors and tiling. Warm air also holds more moisture than cold air, making condensation a frequent problem.

How to stop condensation forming

In short, you can’t. By their nature, all bathrooms produce condensation; what you can do, however, is take the necessary precautions to reduce it so that your mirrors and windows stay relatively mist free while reducing the risk of mould.

Two major factors concerning condensation reduction are airflow and heat. The most effective way to ventilate a room is simply to open a window or activate the extractor fan, as allowing the warm, damp air to exit reduces the amount of water in the atmosphere, reducing condensation as a result.

Keeping your bathroom door closed when the air is humid is also essential, as failing to do so may lead to condensation forming on other surfaces in the home. Maintaining a warm bathroom also helps reduce condensation as the surfaces will remain warm and are therefore less likely to attract water vapour. Heated towel rails are a great way to keep your bathroom warm, while underfloor heating is another great option, albeit a more expensive one. Like with other rooms in the home, double glazed windows will help keep your bathroom warm while adding extra value to your home if you decide to sell in the future.

Tips to reduce condensation

Bathroom wall panels

Aside from offering a stylish, cost-effective alternative to tiles, bathroom wall panels are warmer to touch than regular tiles, which reduces the likelihood of condensation build-up. What’s more, wall panels have a non-porous surface that protects against bacteria, while their tongue and groove system is easy to install and prevents water from entering through the cracks.

Wipe down surfaces

Simply wiping the surfaces down after using the bathroom will help reduce the formation of condensation and mould.

Extractor fans

Extractor fans are essential for bathrooms without a window as they extract moisture from the air and transport it outside. Remember to keep it clean to keep it running efficiently!

Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers perform the same function as extractor fans but collect the moisture as water. Leave it running while using the bathroom to reduce the likelihood of condensation forming.