Blackish-green patches on wall: clean myself or call professional?« Back to Previous Page

Blackish-green patches on an interior wall in Dubai are almost certainly mold, exacerbated by our high humidity and condensation from constant AC use. You can attempt to clean a small area (under one square meter) yourself if the wall surface is non-porous, like tiles or sealed paint. A solution of detergent and water is often more effective than bleach, which only removes the surface color and can worsen the problem on drywall by adding moisture.

For porous surfaces like drywall or plaster, or if the affected area is larger, DIY cleaning will not address the root cause and the mold will return. The moisture source must be identified—it could be internal condensation from the temperature difference between the AC-cooled room and the warm wall, or a hidden leak from plumbing within the wall. In Dubai’s climate, this is a common issue.

Given that the mold was hidden behind furniture and you're concerned about spreading, a professional inspection is recommended. They use moisture meters and thermal imaging to locate the exact source of dampness without destructive probing. Remediation involves containing the area, safely removing contaminated materials, and applying EPA-approved antimicrobials. For verification, a post-remediation test from an independent lab like ours provides confirmation that the spore count has returned to normal indoor levels.