Should I remove mold myself or call building maintenance?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing for a couple of weeks and I suspect it's mold. I just pulled our large sofa away from the wall in our living room in Jumeirah and found a huge patch of black mold spreading from the corner, right behind the AC unit. It must have been there for ages, hidden. What’s the best way to handle this safely myself, or should I just call my building’s maintenance immediately?
Posted by Tariq Sharif
Asked on April 30, 2026 9:35 pm
For a hidden mold patch that size behind an AC unit, especially with ongoing health symptoms, professional remediation is strongly advised. The proximity to your AC means spores could be distributed throughout your home whenever it runs.

In Dubai's climate, this is a common issue. The constant cooling creates significant condensation, and when furniture is placed against an exterior wall, it traps moisture and creates the perfect damp, dark environment for mold to thrive. The black discoloration often indicates a significant, established colony.

While small surface mold on a tile might be cleaned with a vinegar solution, a large hidden patch like this requires containment. Disturbing it without proper equipment will release a massive amount of spores into your living space, potentially worsening your family's cough. Building maintenance may handle the wall repair but often lack the expertise for safe microbial removal and verifying the air quality afterward.

The most effective approach is a professional inspection. They will assess the full extent, identify the species, and contain the area during removal. Crucially, they should perform post-remediation verification to confirm the spore count in the room has returned to a normal level. This is the only way to know the environment is truly safe for your children again.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 1, 2026 8:44 am