Hidden water damage after flooding: DIY fix or call pro?« Back to Previous Page

Based on the symptoms you're describing – warping at the bottom of the wall and a persistent damp smell – you are almost certainly dealing with significant hidden water damage. In the UAE's climate, this is a critical situation that requires immediate professional attention, not a DIY fix.

The flooding forced water up behind your skirting boards and into the wall's internal structure, including the insulation and the drywall/plasterboard itself. Simply mopping the surface does nothing for the water trapped inside. The extreme humidity here acts as an incubator; that smell is active microbial growth (mold) proliferating inside the wall cavity. A dehumidifier and paint will only mask the surface issue temporarily. Painting over it will trap the moisture and mold, allowing it to spread further and cause more severe structural damage and potential health issues.

Dubai Civil Defence regulations and many tenancy agreements mandate that water damage of this nature be properly remediated to prevent structural compromise and health hazards. The wall likely needs to be opened, the wet insulation and damaged drywall removed, the cavity professionally dried and hygienized, and then rebuilt.

You need a certified assessment to determine the full extent of the damage. I strongly recommend you call a professional inspection service immediately to use moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to see what’s happening inside the walls before this gets worse.

Call our team at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com for a comprehensive inspection. We can provide a detailed report and a scope of work to get your apartment back to a safe, healthy condition.