Urgent: moldy closet smell, call maintenance now?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, this requires immediate attention. In Dubai's climate, a persistent damp smell almost always indicates active microbial growth, and delaying can lead to significant property damage and health issues.

First, move your clothes and documents to a dry area to prevent cross-contamination. The high humidity here provides ideal conditions for mould to thrive, especially in enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces like closets on exterior walls. Do not attempt to clean it yourself with bleach, as this only addresses surface discoloration, not the root cause, and can push spores deeper into materials.

You should call building maintenance urgently. The problem is likely behind the walls, possibly due to a slow pipe leak or, more commonly, condensation from an AC supply line running through the void space. This is a frequent issue here due to the constant AC operation. Maintenance needs to open the wall to find and repair the moisture source. Simply wiping the visible area will not solve it.

For your health and to protect your belongings, a professional inspection is necessary to assess the extent. They can identify the mould type and recommend proper remediation, which involves removing affected materials, treating the area, and restoring proper dryness. Waiting a week allows the colony to expand considerably.