Should I clean mold from AC leak or call management?« Back to Previous Page

Call your building management first. In Dubai, strata laws often make the owner or building management responsible for fixing the source of the water intrusion, which is the AC leak. They need to send their AC technician to repair the condensate drain line to prevent the problem from recurring, regardless of how you handle the existing mold.

For the mold itself, a small patch under 1 square meter can often be cleaned if the area is dry. Wear an N95 mask and gloves. Scrub the area with a mixture of detergent and water, then wipe with a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water). Dry the area completely with a fan.

However, the hidden risk is what you can't see. A slow leak over two years means moisture has likely wicked into the wall cavity and possibly the subfloor. Surface cleaning won't address that. In Dubai's high humidity, hidden mold can proliferate even after the leak is fixed. A professional inspection with moisture meters and, if necessary, air or surface sampling, can determine the full extent. This is recommended if anyone in the household has allergies or respiratory issues, as the type of mold (not all black mold is the toxic Stachybotrys species) dictates the health risk.