AC mold from leak: who to call first for safe removal?« Back to Previous Page
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The AC in my apartment seems to be constantly leaking water around the vent in our master bedroom, and I just pulled back the corner of the carpet to find a small patch of black, fuzzy mold on the concrete underneath. We’ve lived in this Marina high-rise for two years and this is the first time we’ve seen it, but it’s really worrying me with the humidity.
What’s the best way to treat this safely and who should I call first, the AC maintenance guys or a professional cleaning service, to make sure it doesn’t come back?
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Call the AC maintenance team first. The leak is the source of the problem, and treating the mold without fixing it will lead to immediate regrowth. High-rises in the Marina often have complex AC systems where a clogged drain line or faulty insulation is the culprit, which building maintenance or your AC service provider must address.
For the mold itself, a small patch on concrete from a recent leak can often be treated with care. Wear an N95 mask and gloves. Scrub the area with a mixture of detergent and water, then disinfect with a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Ensure the area is thoroughly dried with a fan afterward. However, if the mold covers more than one square meter, has a strong musty odor, or you have respiratory sensitivities, a professional indoor health service with microbial testing is strongly recommended to confirm the type and ensure safe, complete removal. The combination of Dubai’s high humidity and constant AC use creates perfect conditions for mold to flourish within 24-48 hours of a water event. To prevent recurrence, insist the AC technicians not only fix the leak but also clean and sanitize the affected section of the air duct. A certified hygienization provider can perform this with documented before-and-after testing to verify the spores are gone. |
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