I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think a lot of people overestimate how much re-caulking actually solves. I’ve flipped a few places where even the “mold-resistant” stuff started looking nasty after a year or two—especially in older bathrooms with poor ventilation. Sometimes it’s less about the caulk and more about airflow and regular maintenance. I’m not saying don’t re-caulk, but if someone’s got a chronic problem, it might be worth looking at a vent fan upgrade or even just leaving the door open after showers. Just my experience...
Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing—mold-resistant caulk only goes so far if the bathroom’s basically a steam box. Swapping out an old vent fan for something with higher CFM made a huge difference in one of my rentals. Sometimes just cracking a window isn’t enough, especially in winter. Regular cleaning helps too, but airflow’s the real game changer.
Swapping out the fan is a solid move—I had to do the same in our 1920s place. The old one sounded like a jet engine but barely moved air. I’m curious, though: has anyone tried those humidity-sensing switches? I keep debating if they’re worth the hassle or just another thing to break.
Humidity-sensing switches are one of those things I thought would be overkill, but after installing one for a client, I kinda changed my tune. They’re surprisingly hands-off—no more yelling at the kids to flip the fan after showers. Wiring it up is a little more involved than a regular switch, but nothing wild if you’re comfortable with basic electrical. The only downside I’ve noticed is they can be a tad sensitive, like kicking on during a steamy pot of pasta in the kitchen next door. Still, beats forgetting the fan and ending up with that gross mildew smell.
- Humidity switches are one of those things that sound like overkill until you deal with the aftermath of a moldy bathroom. I’ve swapped out a bunch of old fans for these in flips, and honestly, it’s made life easier for buyers who just want to move in and not worry about it.
- Wiring can get a little tricky if you’ve got older wiring or if the box is tight, but nothing a little patience (and maybe a smaller screwdriver) can’t handle.
- The sensitivity thing is real. Had one in a small house where the fan would kick on every time someone boiled water in the kitchen, which is kind of annoying but better than the alternative.
- I still run into folks who swear by just opening a window, but in my experience, that’s hit or miss depending on the layout and climate.
- Curious—anyone tried pairing these with timers or smart switches? Wondering if there’s a way to dial back the sensitivity without losing the set-it-and-forget-it vibe.
