Best way to keep condensation out of bathroom?

[DPG]

That would be fine Daz, but just not sure which makes more of a difference to condensation... increasing the temperature in the bathroom or supplying ventilation?

As murdoch says, you need ventilation. But it helps to keep the ambient temperature up a little also. Daz

 

[HappyHippyDad]

With no heating and a fan the issue will be reduced buy nothing will get rid of the issue al together.

if they agree to a fan make sure its quite powerful and the gap under the door is big enough to draw air into the room!

EDIT: COuld you not add an electric towel rail too?

Yes, but I dont want the chap to pay for work that isn't strictly necessary.

I must admit I was 90% for fitting the fan first, seeing if its enough and then bringing in some heat if needed. Just wasn't sure which one to go for first, heat ot ventilation... ventilation it is! :smile5:

ps.. The room does have a window, but that is on the same wall as where the fan will be, so will see if there is a gap under the door (which will be opposite where the fan is to be positioned) or fit a small vent into it if no gap.

 

[Geoffsd]

The actual BEST way to stop condensation is to remove the PEOPLE who are causing it.

No good just sucking warm moist air through the bathroom.

 

[DPG]

The actual BEST way to stop condensation is to remove the PEOPLE who are causing it.

No good just sucking warm moist air through the bathroom.

And don't put that wet water in the bath. Daz

 

[Geordie Spark]

Yes, but I dont want the chap to pay for work that isn't strictly necessary.

I must admit I was 90% for fitting the fan first, seeing if its enough and then bringing in some heat if needed. Just wasn't sure which one to go for first, heat ot ventilation... ventilation it is! :smile5:

ps.. The room does have a window, but that is on the same wall as where the fan will be, so will see if there is a gap under the door (which will be opposite where the fan is to be positioned) or fit a small vent into it if no gap.

That's the way to go.

There is a way to "calculate" the size of the gap / vent but it involves having a door that opens into the room and swings freely on its hinges.

1. with the door shut but not latched, start the fan and see if it pulls the door open a bit.

2. Measure the gap between the edge of the door and frame and this gives the area of the vent to put in the door.

It's a method that's worked for me.

 

[DaveyD]

Nice, but unfortunately its a flat roof!

I've fitted their flatmaster model in a cellar - works well.

 

[Marvo]

Okay, if you heat the air in a bathroom then you take a shower or bath and you raise the humidity to somewhere approaching 100% then as soon as there's a temperature drop in the room you'll get lots of condensation.

I'd also favour forced ventilation. Fit a fan that can move at least twenty times the volume of the room per hour. I'd suggest a centrifugal fan for 3 reasons, first they're capable of higher pressures, second they're more efficient by a long chalk and third they're much quieter than the equivalent axial fan. Make sure the fan has at least a 15 minute overrun timer. Finally fit a louver in the bathroom door that is at least double the area of the fan inlet cover ie if the front of your fan is 200x200mm then the door louver should be 283x283mm.

 

[jaypp]

What about a heat exchanger so you put clean warmed air back in? Bit expensive last time I looked mind.

 

[Geordie Spark]

What about a heat exchanger so you put clean warmed air back in? Bit expensive last time I looked mind.

I haven't thought about this in depth but it crossed my mind that if we're talking about a bath / shower room in something like a sports hall where the showers were being used most of the day then it's a viable proposition, but a domestic bathroom in Mr & Mrs Sproggins's house where they each have a 10 minute shower every other day is a different kettle of horses.

A vent in the bottom of the door and/or a lump chopped off the bottom of it to allow the correct air flow into the room is the way to go - (AND a correctly sized fan for the room).

 

[jaypp]

I haven't thought about this in depth but it crossed my mind that if we're talking about a bath / shower room in something like a sports hall where the showers were being used most of the day then it's a viable proposition, but a domestic bathroom in Mr & Mrs Sproggins's house where they each have a 10 minute shower every other day is a different kettle of horses.

A vent in the bottom of the door and/or a lump chopped off the bottom of it to allow the correct air flow into the room is the way to go - (AND a correctly sized fan for the room).

just re-read post#1 which says can only afford heat OR ventilation! So I'm going for ventilation!!

 

[Geoffsd]

And don't put that wet water in the bath. Daz

I detect a hint of sarcasm at my comment (about removing people) but the fact is that some people make premises so humid that it will condense in the cool bathroom no matter what you do.

 

[a1colly]

Nuaire flat master if it's a flat roof, put air into the property, create a positive pressure. Or a decent constant extract unit with humidistat boost (vent axia, nuaire both do good ones) just make sure there's no open flue appliances, and if there is get them spill checked first.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Nuaire flat master if it's a flat roof, put air into the property, create a positive pressure. Or a decent constant extract unit with humidistat boost (vent axia, nuaire both do good ones) just make sure there's no open flue appliances, and if there is get them spill checked first.

Hells teeth man ..... this is a two metre square bathroom in Granny Smith's two bedroom house we're talking about here - NOT the main bathroom in Buckingham Palace!!!

Good point about open-flued appliances though, I'll give you 10/10 for that.

 

[telectrix]

never seen an open flue bath. most have plug holes.

 

[Clive P]

Hi,

I have a small bathroom that was forever plagued with condensation. I fitted a humidistat fan on one wall, have a louvre at lower level in the opposite wall and now it's nearly non-existent. I always keep the window closed in the winter, otherwise hot air in the bathroom condenses with the cold air from outside. In the summer leave the window open and alls good.

Regards.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Hi,

I have a small bathroom that was forever plagued with condensation. I fitted a humidistat fan on one wall, have a louvre at lower level in the opposite wall and now it's nearly non-existent. I always keep the window closed in the winter, otherwise hot air in the bathroom condenses with the cold air from outside. In the summer leave the window open and alls good.

Regards.

Aye, it really IS as simple as that!

Some folks just like to over complicate things. I shudder to think about the size of the bill they present to their customers.

 

[shanky887614]

I had this issue with a customer and ensuite.

fitted a 6" inline duct fan and told them to leave the window open, people don't seem to get it that for air to be extracted, the same volume of air needs to enter the room. You can have a huge fan but if it's fighting a vacuum it's not going to make naff all difference.

no window in bathroom in new hiusr and stepdad moans when it steams up in there (got a 4" fan with mr16 in middle)