AC leak causing cough; mold under carpet a health risk?« Back to Previous Page

A persistent AC leak into carpet almost certainly means mold growth is occurring in the pad and subfloor, which is the likely cause of your family's respiratory symptoms. The UAE's high humidity prevents natural drying, allowing mold to thrive.

First, stop the leak at its source; have your AC unit serviced to address the drainage issue. For the carpet, wiping the surface is insufficient. You must lift the wet section immediately to expose the soaked pad and concrete beneath. Discard the carpet pad, as it cannot be effectively cleaned. Use wet-dry vacuums and high-volume fans to dry the subfloor completely; this can take 24-48 hours in Dubai's climate.

After drying, scrub the concrete and the back of the carpet with a antimicrobial solution. However, if the leak lasted weeks or visible mold is present on the subfloor, DIY cleaning may not remove the contamination deep within the concrete. Spores will continue to affect indoor air quality.

For a leak of this duration, a professional inspection is strongly advised to assess the full extent. They use moisture meters and thermal cameras to find hidden dampness and can perform air quality tests to identify specific mold types. This is crucial for ensuring the health issue is fully resolved, especially with family members already showing symptoms.