Should I treat mold myself or call a professional?« Back to Previous Page
|
My kids' bedroom in our Mirdif villa has felt damp for a while, and I just pulled their wooden wardrobe away from the wall to find a huge patch of black mold hidden behind it, probably from a slow AC leak. It's been so humid lately that I'm worried it's spread. What's the most effective way to treat this myself, or should I call a professional company right away?
|
|
For a hidden mold patch from a suspected AC leak, especially behind a wardrobe where you can't see the full extent, professional assessment is strongly recommended in Dubai's climate. The high humidity acts like an incubator, allowing mold to spread within wall cavities and the AC system itself, which you cannot effectively treat yourself.
You can clean a small, visible patch (under one square foot) on a non-porous surface with a mixture of detergent and water, but wood is porous. Scrubbing mold on wood often embeds spores deeper without addressing the root moisture problem. The priority is stopping the source—have an AC technician inspect and repair the leak immediately. If the area is larger than a square meter, has a strong musty odor, or you or your children are experiencing headaches or respiratory irritation, do not attempt DIY. Professional remediation is needed to contain the area, safely remove contaminated porous materials like drywall or insulation, and use HEPA filtration to prevent spreading spores throughout the house. Look for a company that provides before-and-after lab testing to verify the spore count has been returned to safe levels, as a visual "clean" is often insufficient. In villas, hidden mold behind furniture is a common issue we see, and a proper assessment will check adjacent walls and the AC unit to ensure it's fully resolved. |
Please log in to post questions/answers: