If there is one room in the house where you’ll find condensation, it has to be the bathroom; those piping hot baths cause condensation on all the surfaces and moisture can damage timber, plaster and masonry. Running a hot bath or shower is going to lead to condensation regardless of the condition of the building, so it isn’t really something to worry about, as long as you take steps to remove the water droplets as soon as you can.
Create an airflow
As soon as you step out of a hot shower or bath, wrap yourself in a towel and open the windows; it isn’t a good idea to open the bathroom door at this stage, as the moisture will get to the rest of the house. Once the moist air has been replaced, you can open the door; we recommend keeping a couple of dry cloths in the bathroom, which you can use to mop up water droplets from windows, walls and cabinets. It is important to check hard-to-reach places, as if water droplets remain for some time, mould could be the result. Using a good chemical cleaner, you should thoroughly clean and dry the bathroom on a weekly basis. Condensation will not damage ceramic tiles, but other materials like timber and plaster can be damaged if condensation remains.
Portable dehumidifier
This is a very effective way to remove excess moisture from a room; as soon as you have finished using the bathroom, place the machine in the room and turn it on for 30 minutes. This can also be used in other locations around the house, which is the best way to dry out the air. If your home is humid, investing in a couple of these machines can really help.
Cleanliness is important
Of course, every bathroom should be spotlessly cleaned, especially so if there is condensation; use chemical cleaning products and make sure you clean everywhere, especially hard-to-reach areas. If the bathroom is clean, mould cannot survive and keeping on top of condensation will prevent damage to materials.
Insulation
Good insulation helps to reduce the risk of condensation; if you have cavity walls, a foam can be injected that improves insulation, while double glazing removes the risk of condensation on glass and window frames. This applies to other rooms in the house and we work with a leading London damp-proofing contractor that covers all London Boroughs.
London damp-proofing
If your home has condensation issues, you should arrange for one of our certified damp surveyors to inspect the property. We offer a professional service at very competitive prices, our qualified surveyors use state-of-the-art equipment to help them accurately assess a building for the presence of rising and penetrating damp, condensation, mould, mildew, woodworm and timber rot.
Give London Damp Surveys on 0207 305 5997 during regular office hours or fill in the form on this website.
