Bathroom Condensation - How to Treat Your Walls

The bathroom in your home is one of the most moisture-rich environments. From showers and baths to just washing your hands, you can use litres of water a day in this room alone. As a result, bathroom condensation is very common and can lead to more significant complications in the future. Thankfully, modern technology and our advancing knowledge of condensation has meant that there are now a number of ways to treat your walls to reduce or entirely prevent condensation from occurring.

What is condensation?

Condensation occurs when warm water vapour comes into contact with cold surfaces. In bathrooms, this water sits in the air after activities such as showering or washing. It forms as droplets that sit on areas such as the mirrors or windows. You may also notice these on your ceilings and walls - an issue that can affect paintwork and mark newly decorated surfaces.

While all bathrooms will experience this to some degree, those with good ventilation systems can manage it effectively to prevent condensation from becoming an issue. If you have a bathroom without any windows or poor air circulation, condensation can lead to more pressing problems such as black mould. In large quantities or around those suffering from respiratory allergies, this type of mould can present a significant issue.

How to spot condensation

The first signs of condensation are droplets on the surfaces in your bathroom. You may notice water collecting in certain areas, such as on the insides of windows or on non-absorbent surfaces, such as your bathroom tiles. Black mould, which presents itself as dark, fuzzy fibres in the corners of your bathroom or along your bathtub, is also a sign that condensation is becoming a problem. In really bad cases, there may also be a strong musty smell emitting from the room.

How to prevent/treat condensation

The best way to minimise the build-up of water droplets on your bathroom walls and surfaces is to ensure the room has good ventilation. If you have a window, keep it open during and after a shower or bath. If not, turn on the extractor fan to remove the moisture-rich air as quickly as possible. To help reduce the risk of black mould forming, wipe down surfaces with a towel after the droplets occur and consider using a dehumidifier to remove the moisture from the air.

For a long-term solution, anti-condensation paints work by providing an insulating layer that prevents moisture from forming on the walls. They are designed to repel water and work to alter the temperature of the walls. These paints can be used on any indoor wall or ceiling and are an effective way to prevent mould from growing in your home.

Here at Sealant & Tools Direct, we’re proud to support homeowners in designing rooms that meet their needs - both practically and stylistically. Our Ronseal Anti-Condensation Paints come in two sizes and are easy to apply. If you would like more information or would like to speak to a member of our team, please do get in contact here today.