Should I call a pro for a damp closet smell?« Back to Previous Page

That damp, earthy smell returning after a bleach wipe is a strong indicator of active mould growth within the wall or structure, not just on the surface. In Dubai, especially after periods of high humidity or heavy dew like we had, this is a common issue for exterior walls. The temperature difference between the cool, air-conditioned interior and the hot, humid exterior creates significant condensation inside the walls, providing the perfect environment for mould.

Bleach only addresses surface mould you can see and its strong smell can mask the underlying problem without solving it. The root cause is likely the persistent moisture trapped within the building materials. For a closet against an outer wall, the mould could be growing on the back of the drywall, within the insulation, or on the concrete block itself.

This is the point where a professional inspection is warranted. A certified inspector will use tools like a moisture meter to quantify the dampness inside the wall and a borescope to visually confirm growth without unnecessary demolition. The goal is to identify the exact moisture source and the full extent of the contamination. In many cases here, it's due to a lack of or degraded vapour barrier, which is a building envelope issue.

Since the smell has returned, continued DIY attempts are unlikely to work and may disturb spores, spreading the problem. A proper assessment will give you a clear picture of what needs to be done to fix it for good.