If you find that you’re getting more condensation in your bathroom in winter, you are not alone. Condensation gathering on glass and other surfaces is a nuisance that can lead to unsightly problems like streaks in your glass and mirrors, or even damp and mould.
Why Do You Get More Bathroom Condensation in Winter?
Condensation occurs when water-laden, warm air meets cold surfaces. This is especially common in winter, when the warm air from your central heating meets surfaces that are even colder than usual, because of the low temperature outside. When warm air comes into contact with cold surfaces, the air cools quickly, converting water vapour back into water droplets. This is why you get condensation on your windows during winter.
In your bathroom or wetroom the principle is the same. The cold surfaces of appliances and tiles meet the hot water from your shower, causing condensation in the bathroom.
How to Stop Condensation in a Bathroom or Wetroom
The general advice for combating condensation is to reduce the amount of moisture in the air. For a wetroom, this is not very practical. While you will never be able to completely get rid of condensation in a bathroom or wetroom, there are some actions you can take to reduce it;
Install an extractor fan to limit bathroom condensation
Circulating air is an effective means of removing moisture from the atmosphere. Investing in an extractor fan will allow air to circulate while drawing out the moisture-heavy air. Remember to leave your extractor fan on until the moisture is dispersed; don’t just switch it off when you leave the bathroom.
Enable air to escape from the room
Opening windows lets the warm, moist air escape your wetroom or bathroom. You should ensure that your wetroom is well-ventilated at all times. While the installation of an extractor fan is important, leaving the wetroom or bathroom door open when not in use and opening windows will also help to reduce ambient moisture levels.
Wipe down all bathroom and wetroom surfaces
Wiping down the surfaces with a towel after using your shower will help eliminate mould. It might seem like a pain to do this every time, but for the sake of a few minutes you could prevent all sorts of issues caused by condensation.
Don’t allow water and moisture to stand for long periods. Use a rubber squeegee to remove excess water from floors and surfaces after showering. Removing excess standing water will also prevent the build-up of watermarks and calcium stains, keeping your wetroom looking new for longer.
Use a dehumidifier in your bathroom or wetroom
Dehumidifiers take the moisture from the air, collecting it as water. Placing one of these in the room, and leaving it running after you’ve used your shower will significantly reduce condensation. As well as electrical dehumidifiers, it’s possible to buy simple moisture-absorbers which can be left to stand in your wetroom or bathroom permanently. These are usually fairly subtle, and don’t take up much space.
Keep your bathroom or wetroom warm
An effective way to stop condensation in a bathroom is to raise the temperature of the room before turning on the water. A great way to do this is to install underfloor heating. Making sure the bathroom or wetroom is warm before showering will help to reduce the build-up of condensation in the room, because the surfaces which are usually cool will be warm. This means the warm water will not meet cold surfaces, which would ordinarily lead to condensation.
By planning good ventilation and heating methods into your wetroom at an early stage of its construction, you’ll be on your way to getting rid of condensation in the winter for good. Find out more about maintaining a healthy bathroom environment with our guide to cleaning a wetroom.
