The bathroom is the most humid room in the house. This is not surprising, since it is a water room and each person spends an average of 30 minutes a day in it. Whether it's a shower, bath or sink, every tap you turn on is a source of steam and moisture.
A room in the house with a slightly higher than average humidity is not a problem. However, too much humidity can affect your comfort and even your health. It is therefore important to equip your bathroom with an efficient and suitable air dehumidifier. Here's how to choose the right one.
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Why is it important to install a dehumidifier in your bathroom?
Although most bathrooms are equipped with a VMC or a ventilation system, the humidity in the room is sometimes too high to be removed quickly. This is especially true when the humidity level outside is high, such as after several days of rain.
While it is important to keep the humidity level between 40 and 60 % in a house, it is equally important not to be below or above this level for long periods of time. And in a shower room, as soon as you take a bath or a shower, you increase the humidity. This can be seen from the water vapour that sticks to the walls and the fog that forms on the mirror or window.
This is nothing to be alarmed about. However, if this water vapour is not evacuated quickly enough, bacteria and fungi start to grow. From mould and bad odours gradually develop. If you see black spots on the ceiling or walls or if your paint is cracking and peeling, this is due to high humidity that is not draining properly.
Also, if your towels, bathrobes, flannels and other textiles in your bathroom start to smell unpleasant, then you have a moisture problem. In the long term, in addition to degrading your room, breathing in this mould can be harmful to your health and create respiratory problems. So it's time to get a desiccant or air dehumidifier. Peltier effect.
How to choose a dehumidifier?
To choose the right dehumidifier, the volume of the room subject to humidity must be taken into account. Please note that the volume of the bathroom is calculated, not just its surface area. You must then choose a bathroom dehumidifier powerful enough to remove excess moisture from a naturally damp room such as a bathroom. To do this, you need to ensure that the airflow of the machine you are interested in is sufficiently high to absorb the moisture produced quickly enough.
However, be careful not to choose too much power either, as this will result in too much dry the airThis is not recommended. Indeed, a room with too low a humidity level can cause coughs, headaches, dryness, etc. For a bathroom, it is also preferable (if possible) to avoid choosing a dehumidifier with a tray that has to be emptied manually. Given the number of litres that need to be absorbed, these are not very practical.
Finally, if you have the budget, prefer a compact dehumidifier so that it does not take up too much space in this not always large room. You should also choose an appliance that is quiet and equipped with an adjustable humidistat to better control the humidity level in the air.
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Although the use of a dehumidifier is effective for absorb moisture from your bathroomIt's always a good idea to do a few simple things to make the job easier. Keeping good habits means that your dehumidifier will run for less time and therefore consume less energy. So, to reduce your electricity bill, remember to air your bathroom regularlyBut also (and especially) immediately after washing. Indeed, letting fresh air into a room when the humidity is very high allows the humidity balance to be restored more quickly.
Also, try to find out what materials your walls are made of. Some materials are hydrophilic, which means that they attract water and hold it, others repel water but allow vapour to pass through, etc. If you find that your walls are made of materials that encourage dampness to stagnate, then you need to find out what materials are used. If you find that your walls are made of materials that encourage moisture stagnation, then, find out about a treatment to be applied to your walls and avoids water absorption.
Also, check the coating on the walls. Is the paint suitable for wet rooms? Is the panelling made of wood suitable for a bathroom, or is it properly treated? If you would like more information on materials for a bathroom, you can find everything you need on the website Cocoon HouseA site specialising in home improvement and the world of the home.