Is AC mold making us sick and what to do?« Back to Previous Page

The symptoms you describe—stuffy noses upon waking—are a common reaction to mold exposure from AC units, especially in bedrooms where you spend hours breathing the air. The fuzzy black patches behind the curtain confirm a moisture problem. In Dubai's climate, AC leaks are a primary cause of indoor mold because the constant high humidity provides the perfect environment for spores to grow on damp surfaces.

You should address this within the week. The ongoing leak means the mold is actively growing and the water damage is worsening the building materials. For a small, visible patch, you could carefully clean it yourself with a microfiber cloth and a solution of diluted detergent, wearing an N95 mask and gloves. However, DIY cleaning only addresses the surface mold you can see; it does not fix the leak or address spores that may have spread inside the AC unit or the wall cavity.

Given the leak and your health symptoms, a professional inspection is strongly recommended. They will identify the source of the condensate leak—often a blocked drain line—and repair it. They can also assess the full extent of the mold growth, which may be more widespread inside the wall. Reputable providers use moisture meters and borescopes to see inside walls and will typically recommend lab testing of a swab sample to identify the mold type, which informs the necessary remediation steps. Stopping the leak and properly drying the area are the most critical steps to prevent it from returning.