Who should I call for closet mold: management or a company?« Back to Previous Page

Call your building management first. This is standard procedure for apartments in Dubai, particularly in high-rises like those in the Marina. The mold on an exterior wall could indicate a more serious issue, such as a leak from a pipe in the wall or a breach in the building’s external waterproofing (a common issue with older towers facing the sea).

Management is responsible for the building's structure and should inspect for and repair any leaks originating from outside your apartment. They will typically send their maintenance team to assess. However, their solution is often limited to fixing the leak and wiping the wall with bleach, which only removes surface discoloration and does not address the root microbial problem.

After notifying management, engage a professional mold inspection company. They can conduct a proper assessment to determine the moisture source and extent of contamination, often using tools like thermal cameras and moisture meters. A reputable company will provide a protocol for safe remediation (e.g., containment, HEPA vacuuming, antimicrobial application) and, crucially, verification testing afterward to confirm the spore count has returned to safe levels.

For a case like this, a combined approach is fastest: management handles the structural repair, and a specialized company handles the biological contamination. This is especially important in Dubai's climate, where high humidity can cause mold to recur quickly if not remediated correctly.