Problem with condensation in bathroom

macuser56

We have a problem with condensation and general moisture in our bathroom- here is a quick summary:

1/ we have a square bathroom, with a power shower at the opposite end to the window/fan
2/ there is a large double glazed window
3/ the room is dry-lined on the exterior wall end, and this wall has the extractor fan

Problem: on the celling at the window end, the paint has peeled. It has been repainted 5 times in 2009, but peels again after about 3-4 weeks.

So question is- do we need a new extractor fan (more powerful?) or a heater in the bathroom, or is there another solution?

Suggestions would be gratefully received.

Thanks.

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macuser56 wrote: »

We have a problem with condensation and general moisture in our bathroom- here is a quick summary:

1/ we have a square bathroom, with a power shower at the opposite end to the window/fan
2/ there is a large double glazed window
3/ the room is dry-lined on the exterior wall end, and this wall has the extractor fan

Problem: on the celling at the window end, the paint has peeled. It has been repainted 5 times in 2009, but peels again after about 3-4 weeks.

So question is- do we need a new extractor fan (more powerful?) or a heater in the bathroom, or is there another solution?

Suggestions would be gratefully received.

Thanks.

Not great on ventilation sorry to say, you might have to go the more powerful route or fit an extract over shower if its possible?

I've seen the peel problem a fair bit, their is a few ways around peel problem, plenty of special brands of paint designed to reduce peeling, bathroom ceiling paints etc. You might already have painted with those.

Had to call to a house after bathroom flood, after all was cleaned up, painter used clear varnish on ceiling below bathroom before re doing paint, some do this to prevent water stain from coming through paint. After talking with painter he mentioned how its also good for areas prone to peeling.

Never tried it, could be worth a shot tho.

mountainy man

just a sugestion, extractors need to be able to pull air into the room as it sucks moist air out of the room so check that when bathroom door is closed there is an air gap under the door or somthing

Joey the lips

Provided the extractor fan is extacting the air this should not be the problem. I would guess as mentioned above that the painted surface has not been primed enough.

cnocbui

I think you problem is the paint, as already mentioned, but that said, it might be worth your while having a look in the attic to see if there is adequate insulation over the area that is peeling.

Whoever did our house didn't like getting in close to where the roof meets the walls so we had condensation in those areas until I added insulation.

You could try a humidstat regulated extractor fan. Normal fan is just wired to be on when the lights are. A humidstat fan senses the humidity in the air and comes on when needed and stays on for as long as needed. They have an adjustment for the humidity level.

I fitted these to both our ensuite and main bathroom. Typically they won't come on until the fug from a shower is pretty thick then they can run for a good while till it is cleared. An advantage is the fan doesn't come on every time the bathroom is used but a disadvantage is that in summer, the humidity outside can be so great the fan comes on for that reason alone and runs for a good long time.

RKQ

Is your attic fully insulated?
Lack of insulation above the ceiling will mean the plasterboard is cold in this area and much more likely to peel as warm moist air condensates on the cold platerboard.