Anti-condensation paint

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jerryat

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Not for the boat actually, but for the ceiling of our shower room at home. The stuff I used some years ago on board (from International?) was useless, so I don't reckon it'll be any more effective at home.

Ordinary emulsion gets mildew on it in about a month, so I'd be very grateful if anyone has a better suggestion.
 
The only way we greatly reduced the mildew in our bathroom was by fitting an extractor fan. I suppose it's obvious really, condensation is a physical process, so to stop it you either warm up the surface or remove the moisture. Everything else is just cosmetic. Having said that, I did find that spraying on anti-mould stuff and letting it dry, after a spring clean, reduced the rate at which mildew came back. That works on the boat as well.
 
Ventilation is the thing. We have a small extractor fan in the attic with a suction grill right over the shower cubicle. The fan has a timer so that it runs on for 15 minutes after being switched off [if that makes sense]. We have had this set up for 6-7 years and have no condensation problems.
 
Hi Evadne and TO,

I had a horrible feeling I might have to go down the extract fan route, but just hate the noise the darned things make.

I think I'll try the anti-mould spray idea first and see if we can live with that - unless anyone comes up with a better idea.

Thanks for the replies.
 
you could just put a vent in with a grill without the mechanical extraction. If you have a a t joint at the exit it can create a though flow that pulls the air out over a short distance reasionably effectively depending on prevailing wind. It should certainly be enough to draw out a lot of moist air and combined with chemical attack will probably prevent mildew appearing all but infrequently and in small patches. You can always snap on an extractor afterwards as an option (Might be an idea to have the power to it when you make the hole.)
 
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I might have to go down the extract fan route, but just hate the noise the darned things make.

[/ QUOTE ] It is possible to fit the fan itself in the loft-space and connect it up with trunking and or flexible ducting with an outlet in a sofit. That should reduce the noise. BTW fans are available with humidity detectors to make the system automatic. (not for remotely mounted fans probably)
 
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Errr....Open the window?

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Yes, but it's a fair size bathroom and the shower, and it's adjacent changing/dripping area, doesn't benefit much even though we always have at least one window open.
 
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I might have to go down the extract fan route, but just hate the noise the darned things make.

[/ QUOTE ] It is possible to fit the fan itself in the loft-space and connect it up with trunking and or flexible ducting with an outlet in a sofit. That should reduce the noise. BTW fans are available with humidity detectors to make the system automatic. (not for remotely mounted fans probably)

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Yes, that's a good idea Vic, it would (or should) be a lot quieter. I'll have a look and see what's on the market. I may be put off fans a bit because the only ones I've come across have been in hotels etc, and they all seem to make a hell of a racket, and go on long after you've finished showering.

I know the regs require a minimum period for public used places like hotels, but I don't want that in our home. Putting the fan more remotely at the end of some trunking may well get over the problem. Thanks for the idea.
 
IIRC I bought an extractor setup from Wickes which had a grill unit which I stuck in the ceiling over the shower and then ducting to a fan and then further ducting to the outside world which I ran through the sofit. The fan unit was in the loft and a good couple of metres from the bathroom vent and was barely audible. It came with a built in timer and was really easy to wire up. The worst of it was getting the vent to the outside world through sofit
 
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It is possible to fit the fan itself in the loft-space and connect it up with trunking and or flexible ducting with an outlet in a sofit. That should reduce the noise. BTW fans are available with humidity detectors to make the system automatic. (not for remotely mounted fans probably)

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We've got one built this way, complete with automatic detector.
It was cunningly positioned over the toilet so incoming spiders (wife has arachnophobia) were welcomed by a mini swimming pool.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Most anti condensation paints are just insulators. They contain cork or galss beads to stop a cold surface getting as cold as the surrounding areas and make condensation go elsewhere. Over a shower they will have little effect.
Before you repaint make sure you kill the existing mould spores thoroughly or it will just grow again no matter what you put on.
Best paint to use will be Classidur. Difficult to find and expensive but class apart from any other anti mould products. Will stick for ever! Try Brewers or other good decorators merchant.
Finally as everyone says, get an extractor fan. Ours is well up in the loft so we don't hear anything.
 
I repainted our bathroom with shower that gets very steamy, no ventillation, with Dulux Acrylic Kitchen and Bathroom paint must be 15 years ago now. There has not been any sign of mildew amazingly. and it looks as good as the day I did it.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It is possible to fit the fan itself in the loft-space and connect it up with trunking and or flexible ducting with an outlet in a sofit. That should reduce the noise. BTW fans are available with humidity detectors to make the system automatic. (not for remotely mounted fans probably)

[/ QUOTE ]

We've got one built this way, complete with automatic detector.
It was cunningly positioned over the toilet so incoming spiders (wife has arachnophobia) were welcomed by a mini swimming pool.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Love it!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks for the info. In our house it's me that can't stand spiders whereas SWMBO couldn't care less about 'em!!! Which make is it that has an automatic detector or is that a separate addition?

Thanks to you too Swanson37. I'll look at the Wickes offering as your set-up seems to echo other good experiences.
 
I agree the stuff you buy from chandlers is not much good. The RN used to use an anti-condensation paint which was pretty good. It had lots of small bits of cork in it, I've tried to track it down some years ago but had no luck.
 
Remember to use an NICEIC registered electrician and keep his cert in a safe place as any modifications to electrics in shower/bathroom is covered under building regs.
 
Have used......" Zinsser perma-white mildew proof bathroom paint" on some jobs in the past. Always found it very effective It is water based ,self priming and contains a mildewcide which prevents further growth of mildew. Jewson builders merchant stocks it. Not cheap. Follow the instructions on the tin.
Also see www.zinsser.com
 
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