How to remove mold and prevent it from coming back?« Back to Previous Page
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My kids have been coughing for a couple of weeks and I suspect it's from mold. I finally pulled out the sofa in our Jumeirah villa today and found a huge patch of black mold on the back wall where it was touching. We had that really heavy dew a few weeks ago and the wall must have stayed damp. What's the best way to clean this myself and how can I stop it from coming back?
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For a patch that size, especially with health symptoms present, DIY cleaning is not recommended. The mold you see is likely just the surface growth; the hidden structure inside the wall could be more extensive. Disturbing it without proper containment will release a massive amount of spores into your home's air, potentially worsening your family's cough.
The immediate step is to isolate the area. Close the door to the room and avoid using the AC system to prevent spore circulation. For a temporary measure before professional help, you can lightly mist the visible mold with a diluted white vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 1 part water) to help suppress the surface growth, but do not scrub it. Preventing its return requires fixing the source of the moisture. In Dubai's climate, that wall likely became damp from condensation due to the temperature difference between the air-conditioned room and the humid exterior, a common issue when furniture is placed against an outside wall. To stop recurrence, you must ensure the wall can breathe. After professional remediation, keep furniture at least a few inches away from exterior walls to allow air circulation. A dehumidifier in that room can also help manage the ambient moisture levels that condensation thrives on. Given the symptoms and the scale, a professional inspection is strongly advised. They will assess the wall's internal condition, perform the remediation under containment, and verify with post-cleaning testing that the spore count has returned to a safe level. This is the only way to be certain the health risk is fully addressed. |
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