How to stop white powdery patches on villa walls permanently?« Back to Previous Page

That's efflorescence—salt deposits left behind when water evaporates from the concrete blocks in your walls. It's common in Dubai villas due to a combination of high outdoor humidity and the constant cooling of AC units, which creates condensation inside the wall cavity. The moisture dissolves salts in the masonry, and as it migrates outward and evaporates, it leaves the white, powdery residue on your paint.

Wiping it away is only temporary, as the underlying moisture issue remains. The most effective long-term solution is to stop the moisture at its source. First, ensure your AC's condensate drain line is not clogged and is properly discharging water away from the foundation. Next, address the humidity driving the condensation. For the rooms in question, try to maintain a consistent indoor temperature to minimize drastic cooling cycles that create more condensation.

However, the permanent fix often requires a professional assessment to identify the exact moisture entry point. In many older Jumeirah villas, this is due to a failure or absence of the damp-proof course (DPC), a waterproof barrier in the wall designed to prevent ground moisture from rising. Remediation can involve specialist techniques like installing a new chemical DPC or applying waterproofing membranes and vapour barriers.

Before repainting, the existing efflorescence must be professionally removed with a dry brush and then washed with a dilute vinegar solution to neutralize the salts; painting over it will just cause the paint to blister again. A high-quality, vapour-permeable mineral-based paint is recommended for the new coat, as it allows any residual moisture to escape without damaging the finish.