How to professionally treat mold from AC leak?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing for a couple of weeks and I suspect it's mold. I finally pulled out the large sofa in our living room today and found a huge patch of black and green mold covering the wall behind it, right where it meets the floor. We live in a villa in Jumeirah and I think it might be from a slow leak in the AC unit. What's the best way to get this professionally cleaned and treated so it doesn't come back?
Posted by Malgorzata Ramirez
Asked on May 27, 2026 11:25 am
Stop using the AC serving that room immediately and address the moisture source first. The leak must be repaired by a certified HVAC technician to prevent immediate regrowth; no amount of cleaning will work if the wall stays wet.

For a patch that size, especially with health symptoms, professional remediation is strongly advised. In Dubai's climate, hidden moisture can quickly lead to widespread contamination. Look for a provider that follows IICRC S520 standards for mold remediation. The process should include: isolating the area with containment barriers, removing the heavily contaminated drywall section, HEPA vacuuming, and antimicrobial treatment of the adjacent framing. They should use negative air machines to prevent spores from spreading to other home areas.

After remediation, the wall cavity must be completely dry before rebuilding. A moisture meter reading below 15% is the standard. For a villa in Jumeirah, a dehumidifier is often necessary to achieve this, even after the leak is fixed, due to our high ambient humidity.

Finally, consider a post-remediation verification test from an independent third party to confirm the space is truly clean before rebuilding. This is a critical step many skip. For ongoing prevention, ensure your AC unit receives biannual maintenance checks for condensate drain line blockages and that the villa's relative humidity is kept below 60%.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 29, 2026 6:18 am