How to Stop Condensation in a Bathroom and Prevent Mould

The bathroom is more likely to suffer from condensation than any other room in your home. This is because a large amount of moisture is produced when you shower or take a bath, increasing the humidity level in the room. If your bathroom is poorly ventilated, humid air will deposit moisture as condensation on surfaces and lead to mould growth.

Many bathroom surfaces are prone to condensation, like windows, mirrors, cold walls and ceilings. Excess moisture is what causes black mould. Small amounts of mould are relatively harmless, but prolonged exposure to mould can cause skin and respiratory conditions to develop or worsen.

This guide is split into three sections:

• Importance of Preventing Mould in Bathrooms
• How to Prevent Mould in Bathrooms
• Getting Rid of Mould in Bathrooms

Importance of Preventing Mould in Bathrooms

As well as looking and smelling unpleasant, black mould can also be a health hazard.

It’s hard to have a relaxing bath when surrounded by patches of black mould, especially since bathrooms are meant to be clean and sanitary spaces.

Mould can also pose a serious risk to your health if you are exposed on a long-term basis. It can thrive out of sight (e.g., behind a sink or on a windowsill) and could be causing you harm without you knowing it. With bathrooms being consistently warm and wet, mould can spread rapidly.

The Impact of Mould on Health

The effects of mould on our health can be serious. Mould is a type of fungus that releases airborne spores as it grows. Exposure to these spores can contribute to symptoms such as rashes, itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing and other respiratory irritation. Long-term effects of mould exposure can be more severe for those with a weakened immune system.

See our guide to the health risks of damp and mould and how to prevent them for more information.

Mould Exposure Symptoms

Symptoms of black mould exposure can include any of the following:

• Watery eyes
• Coughing or wheezing
• A constant cold or sniffling
• Tiredness or lack of energy
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Swollen glands/inflamed throat
• Skin irritations and flare-ups

How to Prevent Mould in Bathrooms

To prevent mould in bathrooms, you need to control and reduce condensation. The best way to do this is with improved ventilation. You can also take some simple steps to reduce condensation through your behaviour when you shower or take a bath. We will explore your ventilation options as well as share some tips in the following sections.

Reducing Condensation in the Bathroom

Improved ventilation is one of the most effective ways to control moisture in bathrooms and reduce mould, as extractor fans and ventilation units remove humid air and limit condensation on surfaces.

Ventilation systems are designed to be installed in areas that suffer from damp and mould-related issues, such as bathrooms. Permagard’s affordable Perma-Vent replaces moisture-laden air with fresh, clean air, forcing contaminants to leave the home. These passive ventilation units don't require electricity. Extractor fans use electricity to achieve the same results.

Perma-Vent Passive Condensation Units

When it comes to preventing condensation in your home, bathroom ventilation is key. Some of the moist air created when you bathe or shower would ordinarily circulate around your home, causing more widespread condensation issues.

A well-ventilated bathroom will reduce the amount of moist air circulating within the rest of your property. It's also a good idea to cross-ventilate your entire home. This involves opening windows at opposite corners of your home and allowing fresh air to circulate throughout your property.

Free Ways to Reduce Condensation in Your Bathroom

Condensation can also be controlled by small changes in routine in the home. You can reduce the risk of condensation by doing the following:

• Close the bathroom door when bathing/showering
• Open windows during and after bathing/showering to allow the moist air to escape
• Wipe down all surfaces, including bath units, windowsills and tiles to remove any excess moisture. You can use a shower squeegee or a cloth.
• Avoid leaving wet towels on the floor as this will cause mould growth and create a musty damp smell
• Remove any mould you see immediately with PermaPROTECT Mould Wash Concentrate to prevent further mould growth

Other Ways to Reduce Condensation

Condensation is more likely to occur in colder homes, as cooler surfaces allow moisture in the air to condense. Keeping your home at around 18°C or above, as recommended in UK guidance, can help reduce the risk when combined with good ventilation.

Homes which suffer from severe condensation usually have poor insulation. It is important to make sure all the rooms in the home are warm during the winter months, therefore increasing the temperature of cold surfaces.

Getting Rid of Mould in Bathrooms

A major mould infestation in your bathroom can cause damage to your home as well as your health. Luckily, mould infestations are relatively easy to manage and treat, provided you are proactive. Follow these steps:

Use Anti-Mould Wash & Anti-Mould Bathroom Paint on Affected Areas

You can remove mould from bathroom walls and ceilings by using an anti-mould wash and specially designed paint additives. These products combine to effectively kill mould in problem areas and prevent it from coming back.

The PermaPROTECT Mould Wash Concentrate is a fungicidal treatment designed to remove the mould from all bathroom surfaces. It works on tiles, wood and painted surfaces. Start treatment by pre-washing the affected areas and removing any dirt and debris.

Once the surface is clean and smooth, dilute the mould wash concentrate with water. You can now wash the prepared surface with the liquid, using a sponge, brush or cloth. Wait for the liquid to dry thoroughly before applying another coating to badly soiled areas.

The next stage involves the PermaPROTECT Anti-Mould Paint Additive. This can be added to any paint type, as well as tile grout and wallpaper paste. Simply add to your choice of paint and mix well. You can then paint over the affected areas in your choice of paint as per the manufacturer's instructions. The additive’s properties mean that the mould won’t return even in areas prone to condensation.

Permagard provides these products together with all you need to tackle bathroom mould in our PermaPROTECT Mould Remover Kit.

We also stock a PermaPROTECT Mould-Resistant Emulsion Paint that prevents black mould growth in bathrooms for up to five years. This powerful paint contains a biocide that increases mould resistance and protects against mildew and mould growth. It’s able to do this even in high-humidity rooms like bathrooms.

Anti-Condensation Paint for Bathrooms

We’ve discussed the importance of regular ventilation and reducing airborne moisture levels, but there is another way to help reduce condensation. PermaPROTECT Anti Condensation Paint is a water-based product that can be applied to bathroom walls and ceilings. It contains tiny glass beads that reflect thermal energy away from the walls. This raises their temperature and causes condensation to take up to 60% longer to form.

Getting Rid of Mould on Bathroom Ceilings

Getting rid of mould on bathroom ceilings can be tricky since scrubbing a ceiling is awkward. The mould may have started to damage the paintwork and start flaking it away. Although there’s plenty of advice for homemade recipes using household items, it’s always best to use a professional mould removal kit. Why? You need to remember that mould colonies are extremely resilient - it’s how they survive.

To truly eradicate mould, you need a specialist mould wash, designed to work specifically with painted ceilings. Our PermaPROTECT Anti-Mould Kit is designed to kill mould spores and help prevent regrowth, making it ideal for tackling mould on bathroom ceilings and other problem areas.

How to Remove Mould from Bathroom Tiles

Removing mould from bathroom tiles is more straightforward than removing it from a painted ceiling, but the task still needs attention. Unlike the smooth surface of a tile, any grout offers a perfect place for mould to thrive. PermaPROTECT Mould Wash Concentrate should be applied with a sponge and then left for one hour before rinsing. Make sure you’ve got plenty of ventilation when doing this, and wear a mask and eye protection. For more information, read our guide on mould removal from walls.

Permagard - Helping Solve Problem Condensation

Do you have a question about bathroom condensation or removing mould from your bathroom? Contact us on 0117 982 3282, and our damp proofing experts will be happy to help. There is no charge for our technical advice.

View our condensation control products and our PermaPROTECT mould products and treatments.

FAQs

How Do You Stop Your Bathroom Mirror from Misting Up?

As a large piece of glass found in almost every bathroom, mirrors are prone to condensation. Improving ventilation and reducing moisture in your bathroom will help to limit this. Solutions like applying shaving foam or soap and wiping it off can create a barrier that temporarily prevents it from steaming up.

How Can I Stop Condensation on the Toilet Cistern?

Due to the presence of cold water inside the cistern, humid air often condenses on its surface.

If this is a new issue, it’s worth investigating if there’s an issue with the mechanism that’s causing water to steadily leak into the pan. This causes the cistern to continually refill with cold, mains water - not allowing the water to get to room temperature.

You can also purchase DIY insulation kits to install inside the tank, raising the temperature of the outside of the cistern to prevent condensation.

Ultimately, the best way to remedy this is by improving ventilation to allow humid air to escape from your home, following the advice above.