Condensation / damp problem

[cazm17]

I used to have wooden single glazed windows and awful condensation problems. Even my loft used to get condensation. I replaced the windows with UPVC, and for the most part the condensation has dried up. However, the bathroom is a problematic area. Circular damp patches have started to appear above the window and in the recess where the window is. I have also had black mould appearing periodically.

The fabric of the house I understand is breeze block and brick, with internal plasterboard walls (it was made new by Fairview 10 years ago, and I am no builder). There is the usual DPC and airbricks from what I can see. There are also vertical gaps between many of the outside bricks, which a builder told me is where scaffolding was put, and they should just be sealed up?

I do have an extractor fan, but it's a manual one, that I have to stretch to reach and do not use it as a matter of course. Of course I guess a lot of it boils down to actually remembering to use the fan and to crack a window when I'm using the bathroom for an extended period of time. I do dry washing inside the house, I do not have any sort of tumble dryer, but the problem is only in the bathroom...

What can I do about removing the damp patches that have appeared, they are quite unsightly. Any advice would be highly appreciated, as always.



MOD

moved as posted in wrong forum

 

[jbonding]

why dont you wire the fan upto your lights that way the fan gets switched on regular.

 

[Bahco]

You must have a ventilation problem.
Ask a builder round to advise on roof vents, soffit venta , and fans in your kitchen and bathrooms

 

[brumylad]

above the window will be a lintel, moisture that collects in the cavity or drips off the wall ties will collect above the lintel, many lintels drain through vertical gaps in the brickwork, It might be worth checking that these have not been blocked up.

Try using bathroom paint, mine has lasted for 5 years with no mould, the condensation simply dries up instead of soaking in.