Black shower grout mold: DIY clean or call maintenance?« Back to Previous Page

The black spots on your shower grout are likely Cladosporium or Aureobasidium, common moulds in Dubai bathrooms due to the high humidity. This is often a surface issue caused by condensation, not necessarily a hidden leak.

You can attempt a DIY clean. For surface mould on grout, a paste of baking soda and white vinegar or a dedicated hydrogen peroxide-based mould remover from ACE can be effective. Scrub gently with a stiff brush, ensuring the room is well-ventilated. The key to lasting results is moisture control. Run your bathroom exhaust fan for at least 30 minutes after showering and consider using a squeegee on walls.

However, because the mould is on the ceiling, you should inspect for a potential leak from the apartment above. Check if the spots feel damp long after the shower has been used or if the grout is soft and crumbly. In many Dubai buildings, this warrants a call to building maintenance to rule out a leak in the plumbing slab. If the mould returns aggressively within a few weeks despite thorough cleaning and improved ventilation, a professional inspection can identify if there's a deeper moisture issue within the wall. Persistent recurrence is a sign the problem extends beyond surface condensation.