Visual inspection
Rooms, wardrobes, wet areas, ceilings and finishes checked for visible growth and damage.
Mould and humidity
Mould testing and inspection in Dubai
Musty smells, black spots or symptoms that ease when you leave home? We find where mould is growing, what is feeding it, and how to stop it coming back.
Villas, apartments and officesAC and HVAC checksFix the cause, not the symptom
In short
Mould testing in Dubai combines a visual inspection, room-by-room humidity and moisture readings, an AC and HVAC check, and air or surface sampling where needed. Mould grows where moisture stays: humidity above 60%, condensation, hidden leaks or wet AC components. The fix is to remove that moisture, then clean.
Signs
Signs you may have a mould problem
Mould is not always visible. In UAE homes it often hides behind wardrobes, under sinks, in AC drip trays and inside ducts.
- Musty smell
- Black or green spots
- Peeling paint or swollen wood
- Condensation on windows
- Musty air when the AC starts
- Allergies worse at home
- Recent leak or water damage
Why mould grows in UAE buildings
- Coastal humidity that stays high in closed rooms and wardrobes
- AC units that cycle off before drying the air, leaving it damp
- Cold surfaces and ducts where condensation forms
- Hidden leaks behind kitchens, bathrooms and walls
Included
What our mould investigation includes
Moisture and humidity mapping
Relative humidity and surface moisture measured room by room to find what feeds the mould.
AC and HVAC check
Coils, drip trays, filters and diffusers inspected, because AC systems are a common source.
Air quality monitoring
Humidity, temperature, particles and VOCs logged continuously to show patterns over days.
Air and surface sampling
Samples for mould, bacteria and yeast where needed, analysed by a laboratory.
Report and fix plan
Where the mould is, why it grows, and the steps to stop it, in order of priority.
Reference values
Mould and humidity: the numbers that matter
Sampling results are compared with official values, and humidity readings with the ranges that stop mould growing.
| Reference | Value |
|---|---|
| Total fungi, existing buildings (Dubai Municipality) | 500 per m³ |
| Total fungi, new buildings (Dubai Municipality) | 500 CFU/m³ |
| Fungi (Al Sa’fat 401.07) | < 500 CFU/m³ |
| Relative humidity (Dubai Municipality) | Below 60%; 50% if feasible |
| Drying after a leak (US EPA) | Within 24–48 hours |
Solutions
After the investigation: fixing the cause
Mould comes back unless the moisture goes away.
Stop the moisture
Repair leaks, improve ventilation in wet rooms and correct AC settings that leave the air damp.
Control humidity
A dehumidifier sized to the room, such as the Stadler Form Lukas Pro, holds humidity below 60%.
Clean the air
HEPA purification captures airborne spores while affected areas are cleaned.
Verify
Follow-up monitoring confirms humidity stays in range and the problem does not return.
FAQ
Mould testing: common questions
Have another question? Ask our team
How do you test a home for mould in Dubai?
A mould investigation combines a visual inspection, moisture and humidity readings room by room, continuous monitoring of the indoor air, and air or surface sampling where needed, analysed by a laboratory. The results show where mould is growing and what is feeding it.
What humidity level causes mould?
Mould needs moisture. Dubai Municipality recommends keeping indoor relative humidity below 60%, and below 50% where feasible. Rooms that stay above 60% for long periods, or surfaces that stay damp, are where mould takes hold.
How quickly does mould grow after a leak?
The US EPA says that if wet or damp materials are dried within 24–48 hours of a leak or spill, in most cases mould will not grow. Hidden moisture behind cabinets, under flooring or around AC units is what usually leads to mould.
Can mould grow inside air conditioning units?
Yes. Cooling coils, drip trays and ducts are cold and wet, which suits mould. Musty smells when the AC starts, or dark spots around diffusers, are common signs. An HVAC inspection is part of every HawaQ investigation.
Is there an official mould limit in Dubai?
Dubai Municipality’s guideline sets 500 per m³ for total fungi in existing buildings and 500 CFU/m³ for new buildings. Al Sa’fat also uses 500 CFU/m³ for fungi. Laboratory sampling is needed to compare a building with these values.
Will an air purifier fix mould?
No. A HEPA purifier can capture airborne spores, but mould keeps growing until the moisture is fixed. The real fix is the source: leaks, condensation, humidity or AC hygiene, followed by cleaning and, where needed, dehumidification.
Smell mould? Find the cause.
Book a mould inspection for your villa, apartment or office.