How to treat mold in Dubai apartment and prevent recurrence?« Back to Previous Page

We've lived here for 2 years and just noticed a small, dark patch of mold on the ceiling in our master bedroom closet in our Jumeirah Village Circle apartment. It's been incredibly humid the last few weeks and I'm worried it's spreading behind the walls. What are the steps involved in properly getting this treated and making sure it doesn't come back?
Posted by Jose Smit
Asked on March 25, 2026 10:36 am
Based on the symptoms you've described – a small dark patch in a closet during a period of high humidity – this is a classic indicator of condensation-related mold growth, very common in JVC apartments due to the high ambient moisture levels we're experiencing. Here's the proper technical protocol we follow.

First, a certified inspection is absolutely critical. We never treat visible mold without first identifying the source of moisture, as addressing the symptom and not the cause guarantees recurrence. Our inspection involves thermal imaging to map temperature differentials behind walls (where condensation often forms) and moisture meters to quantify the water content in building materials. This is mandated by Dubai Municipality's Public Health & Safety Department guidelines for proper remediation.

The steps involve: 1) Containment of the affected area to prevent cross-contamination of spores. 2) Removal of the contaminated porous materials (the gypsum board ceiling). 3) HEPA vacuuming and abrasive cleaning of any non-porous surfaces. 4) Application of an EPA-approved antimicrobial encapsulant to the affected framing. 5) Finally, and most importantly, identifying and rectifying the source. In your case, it's likely insufficient ventilation in that closet coupled with the AC duct possibly causing a cold spot on the ceiling, leading to condensation.

To prevent recurrence, we'd recommend installing a small passive ventilation grill in the closet door and ensuring your AC is serviced and set to maintain a relative humidity below 60%, as per UAE best practices. For a proper assessment to see if the mold has spread behind the walls, please call our certified team at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com for a comprehensive inspection and quote.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 27, 2026 12:47 am