Is closet mold urgent to remove in humid climate?« Back to Previous Page
|
My kids have been coughing for the past couple of weeks and I just found a patch of black, fuzzy mold in the corner of their bedroom closet, behind some boxes. It’s an interior wall in our villa in Jumeirah and I’m worried it might have spread inside the wall. Given the humidity here, how urgent is it that I get a professional to deal with this, or can I handle it myself with bleach this weekend?
|
|
Yes, in Dubai's climate, closet mold is urgent to address. The high humidity provides a constant source of moisture, allowing mold to thrive and spread quickly, often into wall cavities where you can't see it. The visible patch is likely just the tip of the iceberg.
For a patch found behind boxes on an interior wall, do not use bleach. Bleach is mostly water, which can feed the mold roots deeper into porous materials like drywall, and it only bleaches the surface without addressing the root cause. A better DIY step is to mix a solution of white vinegar and water or use a dedicated mold-cleaning product, scrubbing the area. However, this is only a temporary measure if the moisture source isn't identified and controlled. Given the location on an interior wall and your children's respiratory symptoms, a professional inspection is strongly recommended. The mold has likely penetrated the wall, and spores could be circulating into the room via the AC system, exacerbating coughs and congestion. A proper assessment involves moisture meters and thermal imaging to find the extent of the hidden growth and the source of the dampness—often condensation from an AC duct running in the wall or a small plumbing leak. The only permanent solution is to find and fix that moisture source, then safely remove all contaminated materials. For a situation involving health symptoms and potential hidden growth, a certified remediation company can ensure it's contained and removed according to DHA and DM guidelines, preventing further exposure. |
Please log in to post questions/answers: