Should I treat this mold myself or call a professional?« Back to Previous Page

Given the size (dinner plate), location (bedroom), and the health symptoms you're seeing, this requires professional assessment and remediation. In Dubai's climate, what you see is often just the surface of a larger moisture problem, typically from AC condensation leaks or high humidity penetrating walls.

While small spots on non-porous surfaces can sometimes be cleaned with a bleach solution, this situation is different. The mold is on a porous wall surface and likely has a hidden water source. DIY cleaning with bleach only addresses the visible surface and can aerosolize spores, potentially worsening your children's coughing. The underlying moisture will cause it to return quickly.

The Dubai Municipality's public health and safety department has guidelines that classify extensive mold growth, especially in occupied living spaces, as a condition requiring professional remediation to ensure it is contained and removed properly. Given the villa construction in Jumeirah, the leak could be from the AC drain line within the wall, which needs to be identified and repaired by a technician first.

For a patch this size with associated health effects, a professional inspection is strongly advised. They will use moisture meters to find the full extent of the damage, contain the area to prevent spore spread during removal, and employ HEPA filtration. Crucially, they can identify the exact species through lab testing, which is important for understanding the health risk, as "black mold" can refer to many types with varying toxicity.

Your first step is to identify and stop the moisture source, which likely means having an AC technician inspect the unit and its drainage line. Until then, keep the children out of the room if possible and avoid disturbing the mold.