AC duct cleaning or mold remediation first?« Back to Previous Page

Skip the AC cleaning for now. Your symptoms and the visible growth suggest a more serious issue that duct cleaning alone won't resolve. In Dubai's climate, the humidity spike likely caused condensation within your wall or on the cold surface behind the closet, creating the perfect environment for mould.

A professional inspection is the critical first step. They will use moisture meters and borescopes to find the hidden source of the water—it could be a small leak, capillary action from the slab, or condensation from the AC unit itself. Air testing alone can confirm the presence of spores but won't identify the root cause.

Once the source is identified and fixed, remediation can properly remove the contaminated materials. Only after the mould is gone should the AC ducts be inspected and cleaned, as they could have become contaminated from circulating air. Doing it in reverse would just risk re-contaminating your newly cleaned ducts. For verifiable results, ensure the inspector provides a detailed report with moisture readings and, if testing is done, lab analysis from an accredited microbiology facility.