Black mold in closet, handle myself or call maintenance?« Back to Previous Page

This is a common issue in Dubai due to the high humidity and condensation that forms on exterior walls. Your first step should be to call your building's maintenance immediately. In many emirates, landlords are legally responsible for addressing structural issues like damp walls that lead to mold growth.

While waiting, move your coats and jackets to a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent further contamination. Do not attempt to scrub the mold yourself, as this can release harmful spores into the air. The dampness in the wall suggests an underlying moisture problem that requires professional diagnosis to identify the source—it could be a leaking pipe, faulty insulation, or water seepage from outside.

For a problem of this nature, a professional inspection is recommended to assess the extent of the growth inside the wall cavity and to properly remediate it. In Dubai's climate, simply cleaning the surface without fixing the moisture source will result in the mold returning quickly. A proper remediation will involve identifying the moisture source, containing the area, and removing the contaminated materials.