Bathroom (EE)

To prevent damp and mould, bathroom doors should be kept shut during and immediately after showers and baths to stop steam (moisture) spreading through the rest of the home. If you are running an extractor fan, make sure your bathroom door and windows are closed, and leave the fan running for at least 15 minutes after a shower or a bath. Using a bathroom extractor fan with an open window is generally inefficient and, in cold weather, counterproductive. The open window allows cold air to enter, which can cause steam to condense instantly, increasing surface moisture and mould risk while reducing the fan's ability to remove humidity. An open window near the fan can also ‘short-circuit’ the airflow, meaning the fan pulls in air from the window rather than moisture from the shower. It is best to keep the door closed and the window closed while the fan is running.

Best practices for bathroom ventilation:

Winter/cold weather: keep the window closed, door closed and use the extractor fan during and for 15-20 minutes after a shower to efficiently remove moisture.

Summer/warm weather: If the air outside is warm and dry, opening a window is fine, but it is still usually more efficient to rely on the fan to remove humidity directly.

When you are running a bath, put the cold water in first and then add hot water to it- this can reduce the amount of steam.

Damp can pose health risks as it can lead to high humidity and mould growth. Breathing in mould spores can cause respiratory problems and can worsen existing health conditions such as allergies and asthma. Some groups of people, such as children and babies and people with medical conditions such as asthma, can be at greater risk, so it is important to tackle condensation, damp and mould.

Free Make sure that you control moisture released into the air by baths and showers, through closing doors and opening windows, and using a cloth or squeegee to remove moisture from shower cubicle walls and tiles.

£ Extractor fans are relatively inexpensive to run. Dehumidifier pots on windowsills can help with managing excess moisture and condensation. If you have wooden window frames, dehumidifier pots are also a cost-effective way of minimising some of the damage to these: moisture can be absorbed by wooden window frames which can cause them to rot, warp or swell which in turn can encourage mould growth and pests.

Read the Good Home Lincs Guide to condensation, damp and mould

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Common hazards to find out more about how to manage damp and mould in your home.