which moisture-resistant bathroom paint is the best?

[paperdress]

Foolishly, 3 years ago, i painted the bathroom with trendy, expensive heritage paint (i know, i know!). Now there is creeping mildew & damp-to-touch walls. So, im going to repaint and dont want to repeat mistake- i want the toughest, most moisture resistant stuff i can slap on the walls, that will weather all the daily family showers and baths and the crappy extractor fan that seems to do f-all.
Recommendations please? Thanks

[nerdgirl72]

We used B & Q own brand one in our bathroom 2 years ago in a Matt finish and it is holding up ok, we use the shower in there and no mildew or peeling yet. We do use an extractor during showers and open window when we can afterwards.

[PigletJohn]

I'd suggest you start with a better extractor fan.

is yours on the wall, poked into a 100mm/4 inch piece of duct?

Does it come on with the light switch, or is it used sparingly? An extractor fan works better if the door and window are closed. It can suck in enough air through the gap under the door.

[H2OWoe]

Homebase k & b paint has been fantastic. Agree with PJ re ventilation too.

[paperdress]

Hmmm, yes PJ, the extractor is one exactly as you describe, which comes on with light. Its crap. We usually keep window open a crack otherwise it can be damp-smelly in there.
Its a small bathroom with 2 external walls; one is window & tiled, the other external wall is the problem one with the mildew. Its partially tiled & is a v cold, badly insulated wall (should be a cavity but isnt, unlike most others on street). The extractor is on this wall.
what should i have instead?

[PigletJohn]

next time you redecorate, put insulated tile backer boards on the cold wall. They can be about an inch thick, a hard insulating foam slab with a bonded face to accept tile adhesive.

Thicker would be even better, but most bathrooms are tightly packed. An old house may have thick plaster, if you hacked it off you might gain nearly enough thickness for the insulation.

In that position you will be lucky to get a replacement fan to fit straight in, of more than 80 cu metres per hour capacity. However some of the new ones are very quiet and very low electricity consumption so you might leave it running permanently. for example Even this expensive one is not much more powerful. However your old one is sure to be clogged with dust, fluff and dity, and the motor bearings may be worn or gummy.

If looking at extractors, look at the cu metres per hour rating, and the noise measured in db. If you were able to fit a fan above the ceiling, for example in the loft, or out of sight, maybe in an airing cupboard, you could have a larger but much more powerful inline ducted fan, which is also very quiet. They are rather unsightly. The steam MUST be ducted outside the house, and not blown into the loft.

If the extractor is directly above a bath or shower tray footprint, the electrical safety regulations are much more stringent and expensive to meet, due to the water danger.

here are some examples. Surprisingly, the Expelair ones do not get good reviews.

I recommend a cowl vent on the outside to keep rain and wind out.

[PigletJohn]

btw, a low-cost, very durable but non-trendy option is Masonry paint. It lasts 5-10 years when exposed to rain and weather.

[PigletJohn]

this one is rated at 108 cu metres/hour, which is 25% more than most. I have not gone through all the fans available. However it needs a larger hole than your existing duct is likely to have, so look out for that. Larger fans are generally more powerful and quieter than small fans.

[SweetPeaPods]

We have dulux and very happy with it

[Alfiecat]

My painter and decorator recommended Zinsser perma white

[PigletJohn]

Zinsser products are usually very good and professional choices for problem conditions. They are not cheap and may be less easy to apply than DIY products.

[paperdress]

Thanks- appreciate the detailed & informative responses

[sparkleowl]

B&Q paint for kitchens and bathrooms, or Dulux are fine. We have a really good extractor fan, fits on the ceiling and goes straight oudoors, but it's still not very good at doing it's job as we get mildew on the side of the bath in the tile grout all the time. It looks awful. Are thinking of getting a proper shower cubicle, but will probably have same problem.