AC leak causing mold and sickness; how urgent is this?« Back to Previous Page
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The AC in our villa in Jumeirah has been leaking a bit into the wall behind it for a couple of months, and now we’ve started finding black spots along the skirting board in the living room. Lately, my husband and I have both had this constant stuffy nose and itchy eyes that just won't go away. How quickly should we be panicking and what’s the first step we need to take with our landlord to get this properly fixed?
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Based on your description, this is a situation that requires immediate and professional attention. You should not panic, but you must act quickly. The black spots along the skirting board are a visible confirmation of a mold colony, and your persistent allergic symptoms—stuffy nose and itchy eyes—are classic indicators of exposure to mold spores, which are being circulated throughout your villa by the AC system.
The continuous moisture from the AC leak has created an ideal environment for toxic black mold (like Stachybotrys) to thrive inside the wall cavity. This is a serious health hazard and can cause structural damage if left untreated. Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing (email is best for a paper trail). Reference the AC leak and the now-visible mold growth. Under UAE tenancy law, the landlord is typically responsible for maintaining the property's structure and essential systems, including AC and associated repairs that prevent habitability issues. Do not attempt to clean this yourself. Disturbing the mold without proper containment will aerosolize the spores, drastically increasing your exposure. The remediation process requires professional assessment and execution. We need to identify the full extent of the hidden growth behind the wall, isolate the area, remove the contaminated materials, and professionally hygienize the space before repairing the leak and rebuilding. I strongly recommend you schedule a professional mold inspection immediately. Our certified team can conduct air and surface sampling to identify the spore types and concentration levels, providing a scientific report that can be used to ensure your landlord addresses it correctly. Please call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to arrange an inspection. Your health is the priority here. |
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