How to find mold in your home? The complete guide
Tips & Tricks

How to find mold in your home? The complete guide

Dry throat, headache, a musty smell or dark spots on the wall?
Many Danes walk around with mold in their homes without knowing it , because mold often hides behind walls, under floors or in structures.

In this guide you will get:

  • The most common signs of mold

  • What mold looks like

  • Where mold typically hides

  • How to test for mold (air, surface and pressure tests)

  • What you do once you find it

What is mold — and why do you need to act quickly?


Molds are microscopic fungi that grow in moist environments.
They release spores into the air, which can cause:

  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Irritated eyes
  • Stuffy nose
  • Cough
  • Worsening of asthma and allergies

If you experience symptoms primarily at home , it is one of the first signs of hidden mold.

How to find mold?
(The 5 most important methods)

Here's the exact order professionals use when looking for mold.

 

1. Start with your senses (smell, sight and symptoms)


a) Does it smell “musty” or “basement-like”?

A classic mold smell is described as:

  • moldy
  • earthbound
  • heavy damp smell
  • basement smell

If you notice the smell  most when you enter a room , that's a strong sign.


b) Do you see any strange spots? (What does mold look like?)


Mold can look like this:

Color What it often means
Black Typical Cladosporium or Stachybotrys
Green Penicillium / Aspergillus
White Early mold growth or foam mold
Yellow/orange Rarer types, often moisture problem

Mold often forms:

  • uneven spots

  • round colonies

  • “mildew”-like dust

  • small dots that spread


c) Do you have symptoms in a specific room?

If you get headaches, coughs or irritation in the room where you spend the most time , you should test the air.


2. Check the most vulnerable places in the home

Mold typically hides here:


Bathroom

  • Silicone sealants

  • Ceiling above bathroom

  • Behind toilet shield

  • About pipe penetrations


Bedroom

  • Behind the bed

  • Exterior walls

  • Window sills

  • Cold water pipe


Cellar

  • Basement walls

  • Behind shelves

  • By pipe

  • Behind insulation


Kitchen

  • Behind the fridge/freezer

  • Under the sink

  • In drawers near dishwasher


Attic / roof space

  • During isolation

  • About leaks in the roof

  • Ventilation ducts


3. Look for moisture — mold almost always follows moisture

When looking for mold, look for:

  • Condensation on windows

  • Damp cold exterior walls

  • Discolored wallpapers

  • Bubbles in paint

  • Peeling plaster

Moisture = mold in 80% of cases.


4. Use a mold test (it's the fastest way)

Here is a simple overview of the test types:


a) Air test (most accurate measurement of spores in the air)

Perfect when:

  • you can't see mold

  • you suspect hidden mold

  • the air feels heavy or smells

➡️ This test is the most popular because it reveals hidden mold behind walls and in structures.


b) Surface test

Used when:

  • you see a stain and want to know if it's mold

  • you want to know the type of mold


c) Pressure test

Used for:

  • dust

  • low amounts of spore traces

  • analysis of surfaces you don't want to wipe


🚀  Quickest solution: Take an air test

If you need to be sure whether you have mold, the air test is the safest method.

→ It catches mold even when you can't see it.

Want to test your home?
Take an air test and get answers within a few days.


5. If you find mold — do this


1) Ensure ventilation

Create a draft for 5–10 minutes twice daily.


2) Identify the source

Is it:

  • thermal bridge?

  • water damage?

  • condensation?


3) Remove the mold properly

Smaller areas (< 50x50 cm) can often be removed yourself.
Larger areas should be handled by professionals.

4) Test again after removal

Top professional standard:
 Pre- and post-test for documentation.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions


What does mold look like?

It can be black, green, white or yellow. It forms spots, dots or “fluffs”.


How do you find hidden mold?

Smell, symptoms, moisture — and an air test almost always reveals it.


How do you test for mold?

With air test, surface test or pressure test.


What does mold smell like?

Musty, earthy, heavy and a little sweet.

Conclusion: How to find mold quickly

If you want to find mold quickly and safely:

  1. Use your senses: smell → symptoms → sight

  2. Examine damp places

  3. Look for early signs like discoloration and spots

  4. Use an air test to reveal hidden mold

  5. Get test results and action plan from a professional laboratory

Do you want to be 100% sure?

Get a clear answer with a test:

👉 Air test – reveals hidden mold
👉 Surface test – when you can see something 👉 Pressure test – when you want to analyze dust 👉 Comfort package - your complete solution

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