Is AC wall mold causing headaches, need professional?« Back to Previous Page

The AC in our Sharjah apartment has been leaking a bit into the wall behind it for a couple of months, and now we're all waking up with stuffy noses and headaches. I can see a small patch of black spots around the unit. Is this something I can clean myself with bleach spray, or do I need to call a professional company to deal with it properly?
Posted by Shruti Tiwari
Asked on May 4, 2026 12:50 am
Headaches and stuffy noses are common symptoms of mold exposure, especially from an AC unit that has been leaking. The high humidity in the UAE creates a perfect environment for mold to grow inside walls where a leak occurs. The black spots you see are likely just the surface manifestation; the hidden mold within the wall cavity is often the primary source of the problem.

Using bleach spray on the visible patch is a temporary measure and will not address the root cause. Bleach is ineffective on porous surfaces like drywall and can actually worsen indoor air quality by releasing harmful fumes without killing the mold roots. The moisture from the AC leak has almost certainly penetrated the wall, promoting growth deep within the structure that you cannot see.

For a situation involving a months-long leak and health symptoms, a professional inspection is strongly recommended. They will use moisture meters and borescopes to assess the extent of water damage and hidden mold growth behind the wall. Proper remediation involves stopping the leak at its source, removing and replacing any water-damaged building materials, and using HEPA filtration to contain spores during cleanup. For verification, a company with its own microbiology lab can provide culture analysis to confirm the mold type and that the remediation
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 4, 2026 9:22 pm