Is this wall efflorescence and who should fix it?« Back to Previous Page

That sounds like classic efflorescence, a common issue in Dubai's climate. It's a mineral salt deposit left behind when water evaporates through porous building materials like concrete or plaster. The high humidity and temperature fluctuations here accelerate the process.

This is not a job for a regular cleaner. The white powder is a symptom of a moisture problem, not the problem itself. Scrubbing it will only remove the surface deposit temporarily. You need to identify and address the source of the water intrusion. This could be a small leak from an internal pipe, capillary rising damp from the ground, or moisture seeping through the building envelope from outside humidity.

For a proper fix, you should first call a building maintenance specialist or a reputable damp-proofing company. They will conduct a moisture survey to locate the source. Only after the moisture source is permanently sealed should the wall be cleaned and repainted with breathable, vapor-permeable products designed for our region. Attempting to just paint over it will trap moisture inside and cause the problem to return, often worse than before.