Urgent to remove mold under shower sealant myself?« Back to Previous Page

Our master bathroom in our Mirdif villa has had this musty smell for weeks, but today I finally pulled back the silicone sealant around the shower and found a bunch of black and greenish mold growing underneath it. We run the exhaust fan during showers but the humidity has been so intense lately. How urgent is it to get this professionally cleaned, or can I tackle it myself with a trip to Ace Hardware this weekend?
Posted by Dong Suzuki
Asked on April 15, 2026 2:30 pm
This is a common and urgent issue in Dubai's climate. The mold you see under the sealant is a sign of a significant moisture problem within the wall cavity, which won't be solved by surface cleaning alone.

The high humidity here, combined with shower steam, creates a perfect environment for mold to thrive behind tiles and within grout. While you can remove the visible growth with a dedicated mold removal cleaner, this is a temporary fix. The underlying trapped moisture will cause it to return quickly. For a small, isolated patch, a DIY approach might suffice. But given the description of a "bunch" of growth and a persistent musty smell, the infestation is likely more extensive than what's visible.

In a case like this, professional assessment is strongly advised to determine the moisture source and extent of the damage behind the wall. A proper remediation involves removing the contaminated sealant and potentially affected materials, treating the substrate with antimicrobial solutions, and ensuring the area is completely dry before applying new, high-quality sealant. This process stops the cycle of regrowth.

For a lasting solution, also verify your exhaust fan is powerful enough for the room size and vented directly outside, not just into the ceiling void. Running it for at least 30 minutes after showering is crucial. Companies with microbiology expertise can identify the mold type and provide a protocol to resolve it permanently, not just mask it.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 16, 2026 9:35 pm