Chock full of interesting character and the kind of architectural detail we don’t see in modern structures, it’s easy to see why older homes are so highly coveted. But for every unique detail and piece of original crown molding that made sense when your home was built, guaranteed it will be lacking the creature comforts we’ve all become accustomed to.
When an older home features a bathroom that has no proper fan or ventilation system, the homeowner’s chief concern will be excess moisture and humidity after hot showers causing damage and fostering the growth of mold and mildew.
Ordinarily, the best solution in this case would be to install a ceiling vent, wall mounted fan or window mounted fan that will wick away the moisture and steam from the room, allowing the space to dry naturally.
When this type of solution isn’t possible, say because your window is the shower stall or you’re renting, there are a few simple things you can do to make to fix the problem.
Open the door and windows
One of the simplest solutions to a moisture problem in the bathroom is to keep the door and window open while you’re in the shower. This keeps steam from building up in the space, which turns into condensation that can cause paint to peel and mold and mildew to grow. If you don’t want to or can’t leave doors and windows open during the shower, open them immediately after to allow steam to escape.
Hook up a fan
In addition to opening doors and windows, positioning a fan in the bathroom to blow either out the door or window will help with air circulation and move steam and moisture out of the room.
Wipe down the walls
Using a towel or squeegee, wipe down the walls of your shower after every use. Just consider it one more necessary step in your daily routine.
Dry towels elsewhere
Cotton towels and other heavy fabrics have a tendency to hold onto moisture, so hanging them outside the door or in another room that has ample circulation will help deal with the humidity problem in a bathroom with no ventilation. It may also help to trade in cotton towels for those made from bamboo or other natural fabrics, which take less time to dry.
Plug in a dehumidifier
A dehumidifier turned on before the shower and left on for several minutes after your shower will go a long way to keeping your small room dry, just remember to empty it regularly.
