Humidity and salt air: how to care for finishes near the sea
Small habits that extend the life of paint, woodwork and hardware.
In this article
Living near the sea has a price that doesn’t appear in the advert: humidity and salt air. Salt air rusts fittings, darkens grout and shortens the life of paint and woodwork. It can’t be avoided completely, but a few simple habits make a big difference.
Ventilate every day, even briefly
Moisture builds up above all in homes that are often closed, such as second homes. Ten minutes of cross-ventilation a day, ideally early in the morning, refreshes the air without cooling the house.
- Open windows on opposite sides so the air flows.
- Use the bathroom and kitchen extractor fans during and after use.
- Avoid drying clothes indoors if you can.
If the house stays closed
In homes that sit empty for months, a dehumidifier with a tank or connected to a drain, and wardrobe doors left ajar, prevent the musty smell and mould on clothes.
Tip
If you don’t live here all year, ask someone you trust to open the house now and then. When you return, check bathroom ceilings and bedroom corners: that is where mould appears first.
Fittings, hinges and metal
Salt attacks hinges, handles, drawer runners and screws. Wipe them with a dry cloth from time to time and, on terraces, choose stainless steel or powder-coated aluminium. A drop of lubricant on the hinges stops them squeaking and seizing.
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Paint and walls
On the coast it is best to use breathable paints and, in bathrooms, kitchens and façades, ones with anti-mould protection. If a stain appears, don’t just paint over it: clean, let it dry, treat it and then paint.
Wooden joinery
Wooden doors and furniture swell with humidity and shrink in the heat. That is why a door sometimes rubs in summer and not in winter. Adjusting the hinges is usually enough; if it keeps happening, the varnish or edge sealing should be checked.
Minimum routine
- Cross-ventilation every day
- Extractor fans in bathroom and kitchen
- A dehumidifier if the house stays closed
- Fittings kept dry and lubricated
- Stains treated before painting
Founder of OSTEZA. I assemble kitchens and furniture, organise moves and coordinate the professionals on each job on the Costa Blanca. I write about what I see in homes every week.