While condensation is very common in UK bathrooms, you shouldn't have to deal with excessive amounts.
From investing in the best bathroom extractor fan to opening windows after a shower, most of us know the basic ways to keep excess moisture at bay. But what if you're doing all the right things and still experiencing significant condensation?
Below, our ventilation experts reveal five little-known mistakes that could be causing your bathroom to steam up – and that you may not have thought about before.
1. Not heating your bathroom
It might be tempting to leave your heating off to cut back on energy bills, but this could lead to bathroom condensation getting worse, according to Rob Stevens, HVAC trade manager at Aspect.
He explains that because your walls, tiles and mirrors will be colder, water vapour from your hot shower will condense into droplets. That's why he recommends maintaining a reasonably consistent temperature by using heat emitters, such as radiators or heated towel rails.
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Rob is HVAC Trade Manager at property maintenance company, Aspect. He has more than 15 years’ experience across air conditioning, ventilation and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems.
2. Turning off your extractor fan too soon
One of the biggest mistakes that Michael Zohouri, founder of Pyramid Eco, sees is people switching off their extractor fan too soon – either because it's too noisy or they're worried it's wasting electricity.
However, both Michael and Rob Stevens agree that it has to be left on for at least 20 minutes after your shower – otherwise, you're just asking for condensation to settle on your walls and windows. The best bathroom extractor fans, like the Envirovent SIL100 model from Amazon, usually have a timer, so you don't have to think about it, though.
Michael Zohouri is the founder of Pyramid Eco, bringing over a decade of experience to the company. His expertise spans energy-efficient retrofitting projects, including insulation, solar and heat pump installations.
3. Taking hotter, longer showers
There's nothing better than a long, hot shower in the winter, but as nice as they are, they could result in more bathroom condensation, since more moisture is being released into the space.
"Keep your shower warm rather than very hot, and avoid lingering in it. Set a timer if it helps!" says Rob Stevens. "Shorter, less steamy showers release less moisture into the air, helping to reduce condensation in your bathroom."
4. Running a bath with hot water first
Instead of filling up your bathtub with boiling hot water, try starting with the cold tap to reduce the amount of steam that builds up, and then gradually introducing the warm water, recommends Rob Stevens.
Most people tend to start the other way round, but this can cause unnecessary moisture to settle on cooler surfaces, such as windows, walls and mirrors, before they've even got into the bath.
5. Leaving water on surfaces
Wiping down wet surfaces in your bathroom will make all the difference in reducing the amount of condensation that forms, even if it is a slight inconvenience. By using either a squeegee (and catching the drips with a cloth) or one of the best window vacs daily, you'll help to reduce the amount of moisture that evaporates into the room.
"After a shower, water left on the shower tray, screen and bathroom tiles will gradually evaporate back into the air, adding more moisture to the room and potentially making condensation worse," says Rob Stevens.
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"You’re always going to create some steam and condensation after a shower or bath. You just need to make sure there is a way to deal with that moisture afterwards. If you're not getting it out of the room, it's going to end up somewhere," concludes Michael Zahouri.
For more advice, read our expert guide on how to stop condensation in your home or what causes condensation to form on windows. Worried your ventilation isn't up to the job? Read the signs your bathroom extractor fan isn't working properly.
