Mold under carpet causing family's constant cough?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop for the past month and I'm starting to panic. I just pulled back the corner of the carpet in our master bedroom in Jumeirah and found a huge patch of black, fuzzy mold underneath, probably from a slow AC leak we never noticed. We've been sleeping right next to this. Could this mold be the reason for our constant sore throats and headaches, and what's the absolute first step I should take to deal with it safely?
Posted by Timothy Lewis
Asked on April 29, 2026 5:30 pm
Yes, the mold under your carpet is very likely the cause of your family's persistent coughs, sore throats, and headaches. This is a common health response to prolonged exposure to mold spores, especially in an enclosed space like a bedroom. The constant AC use in Dubai creates a cycle of humidity and condensation that can hide slow leaks, making this scenario unfortunately common in villas.

The absolute first step is to limit exposure. Do not attempt to clean it yourself, as this will aerosolize a massive amount of spores. Immediately stop using the room, close the door, and if possible, increase ventilation in adjacent areas by opening windows. Your next step must be to identify and stop the moisture source. This is almost certainly a leak from the AC unit's condensate drain line, which will require an AC technician to fix.

For a case of this size and with health symptoms already present, professional mold inspection and remediation is strongly advised. Look for a provider that uses containment barriers and HEPA filtration to prevent cross-contamination during removal. They should also be able to provide a moisture reading to confirm the leak is fully resolved and the area is dry. After remediation, a post-clearance test from an independent lab is the only way to verify the spore count in the room has returned to a safe level.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 2, 2026 3:43 pm