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In this article we will be looking at how you can stop damp in your bathroom. This will cover why bathrooms are more prone to damp, as well as some quick tips to reduce condensation damp and mould.
So how do you stop damp in your bathroom?
To stop damp in your bathroom you need to improve ventilation and air circulation. This will stop the moisture that is created from settling on surfaces and creating condensation damp.
You can do this by allowing moist air to escape from the room. This can be achieved by something as simple as opening a window or fitting an extractor fan.
If you don’t have an extractor fan, you could use a dehumidifier to extract moisture from the air. You can also use anti mould and damp proof paints to stop damp and mould from forming.
Why bathrooms are prone to damp
Bathrooms are more prone to damp compared with other rooms in the home. This is mainly due to activities, such as running hot baths or taking long showers. All these produce a large amount of steam and condensation. If this steam and condensation is not extracted, then it will settle on surfaces in the bathroom.
The bathroom also tends to be one of the smaller rooms in the house. When multiple people are using it daily, the amount of moisture that is created, can be considerably more than any other room in the house.
Overtime all this condensation will settle on surfaces and start to form black mould. This is not only unpleasant to look at, but it can also be quite bad for your health.
5 Ways to reduce damp in your bathroom
There are several ways to reduce moisture in your bathroom. In this section we are going to be looking at 5 effective ways to reduce the amount of condensation that is formed in your bathroom.
- the first way to reduce condensation is quite simple. You can open a window when you are taking a shower or running a bath. By opening a window, you allow moisture to escape. This will allow the condensation to leave the bathroom and fresh air to circulate in.
- The 2nd way to reduce moisture in your bathroom is to use an extractor fan. These are usually quite affordable. However, you will usually need an electrician to install this if you do not already have one.
The good news is once they are installed, they can be turned on whenever you are using your shower or bath. The extractor fan will essentially suck the moisture out of the bathroom. This will result in better air circulation, so not only will the moisture be removed from the bathroom, but fresh air will be circulated in, and the moist air will not have time to settle on surfaces. - Another way to reduce moisture in the bathroom is to use a dehumidifier. If you do not have an extractor fan, or are unable to have one fitted, a dehumidifier is an affordable alternative.
These can usually be bought for under 50 pounds and you can simply turn them on to extract moisture from the air in your bathroom. - Another way to reduce the condensation in your bathroom, is to just produce less moisture. You can do this by having shorter showers, or by simply not running the water as hot.
If you take cooler showers and baths there will not be as much condensation produced. - Finally, you can use a decent damp proof or anti mould paint. This is not actually going to stop moisture and condensation. However, it will stop mould from forming and protect your walls from the moisture being produced.
There are many different damp proof paints on the market. However, a specialist bathroom paint such as Dulux Easy Care is a great option.
Best bathroom dehumidifiers
As we mentioned previously, a small bathroom dehumidifier is a really good way to extract moisture from your bathroom. It can be far simpler than installing an extractor fan, and generally it is quite a bit cheaper. This is mainly since you won’t have to pay an electrician to install it for you.
You can usually get a decent bathroom dehumidifier for under 50 pounds. Below are a Couple of our favourites that are worth considering.
PAIPU Dehumidifier – 900ML
Our first option is the PAIPU 900 ml Dehumidifier. This model can extract up to 300 ml per day.
This dehumidifier is extremely energy efficient with very low power consumption when in use.
It also turns off automatically when full. This means that you don’t have to worry about it overflowing once the reservoir is full.
Finally, it is also very compact and light weight, which means it can be easily stored and moved around.
This dehumidifier is ideal for any room up to 20 square metres, which makes it perfect for the average size bathroom.
To learn more about the PAIPU Dehumidifier – 900ML click here
Pro Breeze Dehumidifier
Another great option is the Pro Breeze Dehumidifier. This dehumidifier has a slightly smaller tank at 500 ml and extracts 250 ml per day.
It is lightweight and portable, so it can easily be moved from room to room and is very easy to store. It will also turn off when the tank becomes full, which means you don’t need to worry about it overflowing.
The Pro Breeze is also very quiet, so you barely notice it is there.
To learn more about the Pro Breeze dehumidifier and read some reviews click here
Best bathroom damp proof paint
Damp proof paint is another really good way to protect the surfaces in your bathroom. It will not stop the moisture however it will stop it from soaking into your walls and causing unpleasant damp and mould.
We have a couple of articles on internal damp proof paint and anti mould paints which you can check out at the following links below.
Best Interior Damp Proof Paint
Both articles talk about a range of different damp proof paints and anti mould paints. However, when it comes to bathrooms, our favourite choice is Dulux Easy Care bathroom paint.
You can see the main benefits of this paint below:
- highly moisture and steam resistant
- Guaranteed to protect against mould for five years
- 10 times stronger and more durable than standard Dulux matts and emulsions
- Produces a nice smooth finish
- Excellent coverage in only two coats
To learn more about Dulux easy care bathroom paint and read real customer reviews click here
Conclusion
When it comes to stopping damp in your bathroom, the most important thing is to improve ventilation and air circulation.
The main cause for damp and condensation in a bathroom is the sheer amount of moisture produced. If this moisture is not being removed, then it will settle on surfaces and cause damp. Eventually this will lead to mould and overtime can lead to even bigger problems.
To save money and look after your own health, the best thing to do is deal with bathroom damp early. You can do this by making sure that moisture is being removed on a regular basis. This will avoid any future issues and make sure that your bathroom is a pleasant damp free room.
