Can I clean black mold myself or call a professional?« Back to Previous Page
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My kids have been coughing constantly for the past month and we can't figure out why. I finally pulled out the sofa bed in our Deira apartment to change the sheets and found a bunch of black and greenish spots all over the back of the fabric and the wall behind it. It must have been growing there slowly from the humidity. Is it safe for me to clean this myself with bleach or do I absolutely need to call a professional?
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Honestly, what you're describing is a classic and unfortunately very common scenario here in Deira and across Dubai. The high humidity, especially with AC units creating condensation, creates a perfect breeding ground for mold behind furniture that's against exterior walls.
Based on your description, you have a serious situation. The coughing is a major red flag; that's a direct health symptom indicating exposure to mold spores. The fact that it's on both the sofa and the wall suggests a significant colony has been established. For a small spot on a non-porous surface like a tile, a DIY approach with a bleach solution might be considered. However, your case is different. Cleaning the visible growth on the fabric with bleach is a temporary fix at best. Bleach doesn't penetrate porous materials like drywall or sofa fabric to kill the roots (hyphae), and it can actually aggravate the situation by releasing a massive cloud of spores into your air when you scrub it, potentially worsening your kids' respiratory issues. The wall cavity behind is likely contaminated, which you cannot address yourself. Under the Dubai Municipality public health and safety guidelines, this level of infestation, especially with occupants experiencing health effects, necessitates professional assessment and remediation. We use industrial-grade HEPA air scrubbers to contain spores, antimicrobial agents that penetrate materials to destroy the root system, and moisture meters to identify the exact source of the humidity to prevent it from coming right back. For the health of your family, I strongly advise against a DIY attempt. You need a certified professional to properly inspect, contain, and remove the hazard. Please, give our team a call for a comprehensive inspection. We can be there quickly to assess it and give you a clear plan. Call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. Let's get your home safe for your kids again. |
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