Should I DIY clean mold or call a professional?« Back to Previous Page
|
My bathroom in our Jumeirah apartment has had this musty smell for weeks, and I just found black spots spreading behind the toilet and along the bottom of the wall. I wipe it down with bleach, but it keeps coming back within a few days. I’m worried the humidity is making it worse. Should I just keep trying DIY solutions, or is it time to call in a professional cleaning company?
|
|
Bathroom mold in Dubai is a common issue due to high ambient humidity and condensation from AC use. Bleach only removes surface discoloration but doesn't kill the roots penetrating porous materials like grout and drywall, which is why it returns so quickly.
For a small, isolated patch (less than 1 square foot), a thorough DIY approach can work. Use a dedicated EPA-approved fungicide or a solution of distilled vinegar and baking soda, scrub thoroughly, and most importantly, run the bathroom exhaust fan for at least 30 minutes after every shower and ensure it's actually venting outside. However, since the smell is persistent and the mold is spreading behind fixtures, the moisture source is likely inside the wall—possibly from a slow pipe leak or chronic condensation soaking into the plasterboard. In this case, DIY cleaning is a temporary fix. The underlying wall material likely needs professional assessment and may require removal and replacement to properly resolve the issue. A certified mold inspector can use a moisture meter to locate the source of dampness and take an air or surface sample for lab analysis to identify the species, which is important for determining the correct remediation protocol, especially if it's a water-damaged wall cavity. For recurring, odorous mold in a humid climate, a professional assessment is the most effective long-term solution. |
Please log in to post questions/answers: