Black mold behind wardrobe causing cough, how to treat?« Back to Previous Page

Black mold behind furniture, especially in older Bur Dubai buildings with high humidity and constant AC use, is a common trigger for persistent respiratory issues like coughing. The immediate priority is to stop the exposure. Move the wardrobe away from the wall and keep the children out of the room until it's addressed.

For a patch larger than a square meter, professional remediation is strongly advised. In Dubai, reputable companies follow standards like the IICRC S520 for mold remediation. The fastest, most effective method is source removal: the affected drywall is carefully cut out and disposed of to prevent spores from spreading. The area behind it will be HEPA-vacuumed and treated with antimicrobial solutions. Crucially, they must identify and fix the moisture source, which is often condensation from an AC supply line running in the wall or a small leak.

To ensure it doesn't return, the underlying cause must be resolved. This typically involves improving ventilation behind the furniture—sometimes by adding a small gap—and potentially insulating cold water pipes to prevent condensation. A dehumidifier can help manage the room's ambient moisture. Given the health symptoms, consider a post-remediation verification test from an independent microbiology lab to confirm the spore count in the room has returned to a normal level. This provides concrete evidence the problem is solved.