Is mold in my home causing our cough?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop for the past month, and we can't figure out why. I just pulled out a bunch of old winter clothes from the storage cupboard under our stairs in Jumeirah and found a bunch of them covered in black spots, and the whole area smells damp. I'm really worried this mold is making my family sick. What's the first step I should take for a proper mold inspection to find out how bad it is?
Posted by Marie Schneider
Asked on May 13, 2026 12:10 pm
The damp storage cupboard and visible mold growth are very likely contributing to your family's persistent cough. In Dubai's climate, enclosed spaces with poor airflow, like under-stair cupboards, are prime locations for mold due to condensation and high humidity, even with AC running.

Your first step is to stop the exposure immediately. Do not attempt to clean it yourself, as disturbing it will release a large number of spores into your home's air. Keep the cupboard closed and restrict access to the area, especially for your children.

A proper inspection in this scenario requires a professional. They will do more than just look; they use moisture meters to find hidden dampness in walls and air sampling pumps to test what spores you're already breathing indoors. The goal is to identify the mold type and the full extent of the problem, including any hidden growth inside walls or under flooring that you can't see. This is critical because the visible spots are often just a small part of the overall contamination.

For a verified assessment, ensure the inspector is trained and provides a comprehensive report with lab results from an accredited microbiology lab. This documentation is essential for understanding the health risk and planning any necessary remediation. In many cases here, the underlying cause is a small, unnoticed water leak or chronic condensation that must be fixed to prevent the mold from returning.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 15, 2026 6:02 am