Totally agree on the fan upgrade—makes a huge difference. Another quick tip: keep the bathroom door cracked open after showers if you can... helps airflow a ton and saves your paint job from turning into a moldy mess. Learned that one from experience too, haha.
Good call on the cracked door tip—definitely helps. A couple more things I've found useful:
- Squeegee or towel-dry shower walls after use. Takes like 30 seconds but cuts down moisture big-time.
- If your bathroom has a window, even a tiny crack can make a noticeable difference.
- Humidity-sensing switches for fans are worth considering... not essential, but handy if you're forgetful (like me).
Wish I'd known all this before repainting my ceiling twice, haha.
Totally agree on the humidity-sensing switches—installed one last year and haven't looked back. Couple more budget-friendly tips:
- Check your fan ducting; mine was kinked, restricting airflow.
- Upgrading to a slightly stronger fan motor made a noticeable difference too.
Humidity-sensing switches are definitely a game-changer, wish I'd known about them years ago. Checking ducting is a great shout too—mine wasn't kinked, but it was venting straight into the attic space, which explained why it always felt damp up there. Redirecting it properly outside made a huge difference.
One thing I'd add: don't underestimate the power of passive solutions. I put in a few moisture-absorbing plants (peace lilies and Boston ferns are my go-to), and they've noticeably improved air quality and humidity levels. Plus, they look pretty nice too... bonus points for aesthetics, right?
Also, I've found that leaving the bathroom door cracked open after showers helps airflow and cuts down on lingering moisture. Seems obvious now, but you'd be surprised how many people keep it shut tight.
Upgrading fans is smart, but sometimes it's the little habits and tweaks that really add up over time.
"Checking ducting is a great shout too—mine wasn't kinked, but it was venting straight into the attic space..."
Good catch on the attic venting issue—seen that way too often in older homes. Another sneaky culprit I've noticed is improperly sealed bathroom fixtures (especially recessed lights or exhaust fan housings). Even small gaps can let moisture seep into ceilings or walls over time. Curious if anyone here's tackled sealing around fixtures themselves... did you DIY it or call someone in?
