Having a humid bathroom can be deeply frustrating. Excessive humidity can lead to mold, which can negatively affect your health. Aside from health concerns, it is also simply inconvenient. Water puddles will stay and not dry up, bad odors may appear, and other problems can develop. In this guide, we will discuss why this happens and what you can do about excessive humidity in your bathroom.

Why is your bathroom humid?

A bathroom is naturally a humid place. Different sources of water, hot steam, and wet surfaces - all of them cause humidity to build up. But in a properly designed bathroom, this can be avoided. Excessive humidity can be caused by the following:

Insufficient Ventilation: If your fan is clogged, malfunctioning, or simply too weak for a large bathroom, steam can stay inside and cause humidity.

Insulation Problems: If your bathroom is cold, hot water vapor will condense on cold surfaces. This will add to overall humidity.

Leaks: This is another common problem. If your faucets or pipes are leaking, they become an additional source of moisture besides steam. Checking this is important, as leaks are very common in every household.

Dangers of High Humidity

Mold: The most common issue in bathrooms with high humidity is mold. It can worsen the odor, contribute to surface damage, and pose a health hazard. There are different methods to fight it. For example, you can spray a 50/50 water and bleach solution or use special chemicals. However, it is better to address the humidity itself, as it is the reason mold develops in the first place.

Health dangers: Besides mold, humidity can affect existing heart conditions, cause overheating (in hot areas), and affect the respiratory tract.

Surface warping and peeling: Water is known to warp wooden and other surfaces if not wiped dry. Humidity does the same but slower. It can result in costly expenses.

How to deal with high humidity

There are several options, and some of them are easy and can be applied even without high costs. Let's discuss some of them.

Fix Ventilation

If you have an exhaust fan, check that it’s used correctly. Check for dirt, ensure it is working correctly, and consider installing a more powerful one. Exhaust fans are measured by CFM (cubic feet per minute). Compare it with your bathroom’s cubic footage to find out if it is powerful enough. Don't turn the fan off right after a shower; keep it running for 15 minutes more. Also, open your windows to allow steam to escape.

If you don't have an exhaust fan and have no windows, consider installing a regular fan on the wall or in another suitable spot. Aim it at the ceiling and leave the door open. Open windows where possible. This should be sufficient to get the air circulating.

Seal Grout

Quite often, the space between a sink or bathtub and the wall is not sealed at all, or not sealed properly. I personally had such an experience with a bathtub, and not only did it contribute to water gathering under the tub, but also, the water somehow leaked onto the floor beneath and damaged the walls. Additional problems included mold development and bad odors.

Even after I properly sealed the gap with a silicone barrier between the tub and the wall, the silicone itself became moldy after 6 months. The conclusion: inspect your tub and sink proactively, and use special anti-mold silicone.

Check for Leaks

Corroded pipes, sink faucets, and shower faucets all tend to wear out after some use. It may be the case with a humid bathroom. Frequent plumbing inspections can help detect and prevent leaks.

Wipe Wet Surfaces

Wiping the surfaces after a shower can be a bothersome task, but this is an option proven to be efficient. Use a dedicated towel or a microfiber cloth, as they are good at absorbing water.

Don't Leave Wet Items

Wet towels, clothes, bathmats, or anything else that absorbs a lot of water will release moisture back into the air, so keep them in a separate room. Hand towels are fine, but a large towel shouldn't be in the bathroom after taking a bath. Not only will it release moisture back into the air, but it will also get grimy and smelly more quickly and require more frequent washing. If possible, install heated towel racks. This will also help with drying towels and heating the bathroom, which is also important.

Install a Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers are an amazing option, although a bit pricey. You will be shocked by how much water they can gather from the air, especially in a poorly ventilated bathroom. This is one of the best options for dealing with a humid bathroom. It is important to note that they often need to be emptied due to the collected water, so keep an eye on it, or install a special one with an outlet hose to the bathtub that will drain the excess water.

Enhance Insulation

If your bathroom is cold, almost all surfaces will gather condensation, which adds to humidity. Sufficient heating and proper insulation will eliminate this problem.