How to permanently remove mold from bathroom shower sealant?« Back to Previous Page

My ensuite bathroom in our villa in Al Barsha has had this musty smell for weeks, and I just pulled back the corner of the silicone sealant around the shower and found a ton of black, fuzzy mold underneath. The room doesn't have a window and the exhaust fan seems pretty weak. What's the most effective and permanent way to get rid of this, and should I be calling a professional cleaning company or is this a DIY job?
Posted by Hana Wu
Asked on March 18, 2026 11:07 am
Based on your description of the black fuzzy mold under the silicone in your Al Barsha villa's ensuite, this is a common but serious issue here in Dubai, exacerbated by high humidity and poor ventilation.

The most effective and permanent solution is not a simple clean. Surface cleaning with bleach or vinegar is a temporary fix that misses the root cause—moisture trapped behind the tiles and in the grout. The mold you see is just the fruiting body; the root system (hyphae) is likely deep within the substrate.

For a proper remediation, the contaminated silicone sealant and any affected grout must be completely mechanically removed. The area beneath needs to be treated with a professional-grade, EPA-approved fungicidal solution to kill the roots. After thorough drying, new, high-quality mold-resistant silicone should be applied. Critically, you MUST address the moisture source. That weak exhaust fan is a key problem; it likely doesn't meet the UAE's recommended air exchange rate for bathrooms. It should be replaced with a more powerful unit and you should run it for at least 30 minutes after each shower.

Given the extent you've described and the health risks associated with stirring up mold spores, this is not a DIY job. improper handling can cross-contaminate your home. We strongly recommend a professional inspection and remediation to ensure it's done safely and permanently.

For a certified assessment and quote, please call us at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com. Our team serves the Al Barsha area and can diagnose the full extent of the issue.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 19, 2026 4:33 pm