Is urgent professional needed for shower mold under silicone?« Back to Previous Page

My kids' bathroom in our villa in Springs has had this musty smell for weeks, but I just pulled back the silicone sealant around the shower and found a ton of black mold underneath. I’m really worried about their health as they’ve both been sneezing a lot lately. How urgent is it that I get a professional to handle this, or is it something I can tackle myself this weekend?
Posted by Geeta Patel
Asked on April 10, 2026 7:20 pm
Black mould under silicone sealant is a common issue in Dubai villas due to the high humidity and constant condensation in bathrooms. The primary health concern is exposure to mould spores, which can cause the sneezing and irritation your children are experiencing, especially if they have allergies or asthma.

For a small, contained patch (under 1 square foot), a DIY approach can work. You would need to carefully remove all contaminated silicone, treat the area with a mould-killing solution like diluted white vinegar or a dedicated fungicide, and allow it to dry completely before applying new, high-quality mould-resistant silicone sealant. Proper ventilation during and after the process is critical.

However, the fact that the mould was hidden and the musty smell has been persistent suggests the issue may be more extensive. Mould can spread behind tiles and into the wall substrate. In this case, a professional inspection is strongly recommended to assess the full extent and prevent recurrence. They use moisture meters and borescopes to see inside walls, which is not possible with DIY. For health safety and to ensure the problem is fully resolved, especially with children affected, having a certified professional handle the remediation is the most reliable course of action. They can also provide post-remediation verification to confirm the space is safe.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 11, 2026 4:29 am