AC leak causing mold and asthma: DIY or professional?« Back to Previous Page

This is a very common and serious issue we see here in Dubai, especially in coastal areas like Jumeirah with high humidity. That black spot is a major red flag, and your husband's exacerbated asthma is a clear indicator of a problematic mold spore count in your indoor air.

First, do not use bleach. It is ineffective on porous surfaces like drywall and concrete, only bleaching the surface color while leaving the root structure intact. More critically, it can agitate the colony, releasing a massive cloud of spores and harmful mycotoxins into the air, which will severely worsen respiratory issues like asthma.

The AC leak is the primary moisture source that must be fixed immediately by your building's maintenance or a certified HVAC technician. Until that's resolved, any cleaning is pointless as the mold will return.

Given the visible growth and, more importantly, the direct health impact (your husband's asthma), this is absolutely a case for professional remediation. DIY attempts are high-risk for your health and often lead to the problem spreading to hidden cavities like the wall interior or AC ducts.

In the UAE, professional companies like ours follow strict IICRC S520 protocols for mold remediation. This involves full containment of the area with negative air pressure to prevent cross-contamination, professional-grade HEPA filtration to capture airborne spores, and the safe removal and disposal of contaminated materials. We then perform a post-remediation verification test to ensure the air quality is safe before anyone re-occupies the room.

The cost can vary depending on the extent, but for a localized issue from an AC leak, you might be looking at a range starting from AED 2,500-4,000+, which includes the full remediation and air testing. Your health is not worth the risk of a DIY fix.

For a proper inspection and quote, please call us at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com. We can assess the situation properly, including the often-unseen damage inside your AC unit and ducts.