Bathroom humidity: what can be done about it?

The bathroom is a damp room by nature. Along with the kitchen, it is one of the wettest rooms in the house. During and after showering, bathing or washing, the humidity level soars. Is this so serious? How can this be effectively and sustainably addressed? Tackle humidity, foul odours, mould, and other problems that follow prolonged heavy condensation.

Humidity means the risk of mould, fungus, and saltpetre

Taking baths or showers produces steam. This water vapour then turns into moisture and the consequences can be very damaging. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's better to know the phenomenon of condensation to tackle humidity levels and its effects.
A damp bathroom is not the best. Even in a clean, well-heated, and insulated house, it is best to try to get rid of it or at least reduce the humidity level.
No one likes traces of mould on the ceiling, fungus in the shower, and the smell of dampness. So let's tackle condensation and other causes of humidity!
There are several options available to you. The most direct way is to absorb the moisture and get it over with or with a humidity-sensing bathroom fan. Another is to seal the walls or waterproof drywall and there are many techniques to reduce the humidity levels in your bathroom.

Absorbing humidity to end this bathroom plague

If natural ventilation and a ventilation system are the best ways to combat poor indoor air quality, they are also excellent techniques for dealing with humidity. So which ventilation system should you choose?
Among the options available to you, consider first natural ventilation. It is an inexpensive and energy-efficient way to continuously ventilate your bathroom. It's simple: provide a window in your shower room. Opening the window to ventilate is then a natural ventilation system that should be used every time you leave the bath and shower. It's basic, but it can be enough!
Are you familiar with CMV, controlled mechanical ventilation? It is a natural assisted ventilation device well known to households seeking to eradicate humidity, especially in the bathroom. This CMV, the sworn enemy of air pollutants, humidity level, mould, and other fungi, can be single or double flow. Motorised air vents allow the air in the bathroom to be continuously renewed. Therefore, getting rid of air pollution as well.
Close to CMV, there is also VMR or distributed mechanical ventilation, as well as positive ventilation. There are also specific devices for tackling humidity, particularly in the bathroom, such as humidity absorbers and other dehumidifiers. Their efficiency is excellent for small areas.

Fighting against humidity in the bathroom requires awareness. How do you tackle something you don't know is there? The Netatmo Smart Weather Station allows you to keep track of the humidity level in the bathroom, before showering, during baths, and after washing. Stay up to date for better airing and ventilation!

Waterproof barriers on bathroom walls

Absorbing the moisture as quickly as possible is, therefore, the first solution to tackle the humidity level. But it is not the only one.
To prevent water and moisture from attacking your bathroom walls, you can opt for resin injection on your walls. It creates a thin film that protects your walls. To tackle dampness in the walls of the shower room, silicone injection is also an option.
These methods are eco-friendly materials, practical, simple, and very effective against moisture. These waterproof barriers are not a substitute for good ventilation or natural ventilation, but it is still an idea to keep in mind. So, prioritise! And don't forget the many other techniques that exist to reduce humidity in your bathroom such as letting the sunshine in or even keeping indoor plants!

Monitor the exact humidity level in your bathroom in real-time with the Netatmo Smart Weather Station. Analyse the air quality in the bathroom, receive alerts when it's time to air out, and access your data directly from your smartphone.

5 last quick tips against bathroom humidity

Make sure that your seals remain waterproof: they are barriers against moisture, and they lose their effectiveness when they wear out.
Call in a specialist, a professional who can diagnose, advise, and help you install a humidity and condensation control system for the room temperature.
Choose certain materials when creating or renovating your bathroom.
For example, acrylic paint is the ideal choice, as it is washable, water-resistant, and not very sensitive to moisture and humidity. Use waterproof materials for the room walls, as well as reliable and proven techniques for sealing your shower.
Reinforce the bathroom’s insulation with, for example, double glazing or extruded polystyrene panels.
Install a chemical moisture absorber with hydrophilic crystals to capture moisture and liquefy it. Once absorbed, all you must do is empty the tray from time to time, which is then filled with water. Also, consider installing a radiator or towel dryer to dry the air and reduce the humidity in your bathroom.
Apply a waterproofing treatment to your bathroom furniture, walls, joints, ceiling, and anywhere else where humidity remains.
Warm-up your bathroom enough so that the water evaporates. If the water does not evaporate, condensation and stagnation lead to high levels of humidity.

Reducing humidity in the bathroom means limiting the discomfort and preventing possible damage. There's nothing like taking a shower or bath in a clean, mould-free bathroom! Don't forget, ventilation (natural or by VMC) is very efficient. Let the sunshine in!