How to permanently stop moisture causing mold in closet?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing and I suspect it's from the mold in our master bedroom closet. We live in a villa in Jumeirah and I just found a bunch of black spots on the back wall and on some of our leather bags. It's the wall that faces the outside, and this is the second time it's happened since last winter. What's the best way to permanently stop the moisture from getting in and prevent this from happening again?
Posted by Daniel King
Asked on April 28, 2026 2:25 pm
The recurring mold in your closet points to a persistent moisture issue, likely from condensation or a small leak. Since it's an exterior wall in a Jumeirah villa, the high humidity and temperature differential between the air-conditioned room and the warm outside wall is a common culprit.

First, identify the moisture source. Check for plumbing leaks in adjacent walls or a compromised waterproofing membrane behind the cladding. For condensation, improve air circulation. Leave the closet doors ajar and ensure your AC vents are not blocked; running a small desiccant dehumidifier inside can help significantly. Insulating the cold water pipes often running through villa master closets is another effective step.

For a permanent fix, a professional inspection is recommended. They can use thermal imaging to pinpoint cold spots and moisture meters to quantify the problem. Remediation involves removing the mold with specialized cleaning agents, not bleach, which only removes the surface stain. Then, the wall must be treated with an antimicrobial coating. Finally, the root cause must be addressed, which may involve improving external sealing, adding insulation to the interior wall, or repairing the building's external waterproofing.

Without tackling the source, the mold will return. Given the health symptoms and the villa's construction, an assessment that includes air and surface sampling can identify the mold type and confirm the space is safe after remediation.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 28, 2026 4:20 pm