Black mold in closet: DIY or call maintenance in JLT?« Back to Previous Page

The cold, soft wall and hidden location suggest a persistent moisture issue, likely from condensation on a cold bridge (where the building's concrete meets the outside air) or a small internal leak. In Dubai's climate, this is common in closets on exterior walls due to the constant high humidity and AC cooling.

For a small patch (under one square foot), you can carefully clean it yourself. Wear an N95 mask and gloves. Scrub the area with a mixture of water and detergent. Do not use bleach, as it only removes surface colour and doesn't address the root moisture problem. After cleaning, the area must be dried completely with a fan. However, since the wall is soft, the moisture has likely penetrated, and the mould may be growing inside the wall cavity.

Given the structural concern (soft wall) and the high humidity in JLT, contacting your building's maintenance is the most prudent step. They need to investigate the source of the moisture from the building envelope side, which is their responsibility. DIY cleaning will be temporary if the underlying leak or insulation issue isn't resolved by the property management.

A professional inspection is recommended to assess the full extent. They can use moisture meters and thermal imaging to find the exact moisture source and check for hidden growth. For verifiable results, any remediation should conclude with post-testing to confirm the mould and moisture levels have been returned to a normal indoor baseline.