Good call on the stud finder—it's surprising how many people overlook that step and end up regretting it later. Another thing worth mentioning is venting the exhaust fan properly. I've seen a lot of DIY installs where folks just vent it into the attic, thinking it's good enough. Unfortunately, that just moves your humidity problem upstairs and can lead to mold or structural issues down the line.
If you're going through the trouble of installing a fan, make sure you route the ductwork all the way outside. It's a bit more effort, especially if you're dealing with tight attic spaces or tricky rooflines, but trust me, it's worth it. Also, don't skimp on sealing the duct connections—foil tape works wonders here. A small leak can undo a lot of your hard work.
Glad to hear your humidity levels improved noticeably afterward. Proper ventilation really does make a huge difference in comfort and home maintenance.
You're spot on about venting outside. I learned that the hard way at my old place—thought I'd save myself some trouble by routing it into the attic, and ended up with a moldy mess that took weeks to fix. Lesson learned, haha. Another thing I've noticed is how much difference a good-quality bathroom paint makes. It's pricier upfront but seriously cuts down on moisture issues later... totally worth every penny.
Wish I'd known that paint tip sooner. I went cheap thinking paint was paint, but ended up with walls sweating like crazy after every shower. Had to wipe them down constantly or deal with streaks and stains—super annoying. Eventually upgraded to a better paint anyway, so turns out my bargain wasn't such a bargain after all, haha. Guess sometimes saving money upfront just costs more down the road...
"Guess sometimes saving money upfront just costs more down the road..."
Couldn't agree more with this. I learned the hard way too, but not with paint—mine was ventilation. When I first moved into my place, I thought the bathroom fan was just a noisy annoyance, so I rarely used it. Big mistake. Within a few months, I started noticing mold spots creeping up in the corners of the ceiling and around the window frame. Gross, right?
I tried all sorts of quick fixes—wiping down walls, opening windows after showers, even those moisture-absorbing buckets you see at hardware stores. They helped a bit, but nothing really solved the issue. Eventually, I had to bite the bullet and upgrade the exhaust fan to something quieter and more powerful. It wasn't cheap, but honestly, it made a huge difference. No more mold, no more damp towels that never dry, and no more foggy mirrors every morning.
It's funny how we often underestimate the importance of these little details. Good paint, proper ventilation, even something as simple as leaving the bathroom door open after showering—they all add up. I guess it's easy to overlook until you're stuck dealing with the consequences.
One thing I'm curious about though: did you end up repainting yourself or hiring someone? I ask because I've seen clients try DIY repaint jobs after humidity damage, and sometimes it ends up costing even more if they don't prep properly. Primer, sanding, and all that boring stuff really matters, especially in humid spaces. Learned that lesson myself when I tried repainting my kitchen cabinets without proper prep... let's just say peeling paint isn't exactly the look I was going for, haha.
Anyway, glad you got your paint situation sorted. It's always satisfying when you finally find a solution that sticks.
Upgrading the fan definitely helps, but another small thing I found useful was installing a timer switch. Set it for 15-20 mins after a shower, and it clears moisture without having to remember to turn it off. Anyone else tried this?
