Mold and mildew are often grouped as one, but while similar, they are not the same. They pose similar threats to your home, causing structural damage and health issues when unaddressed, but are identified and treated differently.
PureDry is Greater Seattle’s trusted water damage restoration and mold remediation company. We provide 24/7 mold remediation services, saving residents from structural damage and health issues daily. Our on-site services are important, but we also love educating homeowners and business owners on preventing threats to their indoor environment.
For PureDry’s mold remediation services, call us anytime at (425) 374-0027. To learn more about mold and mildew’s effects on your home or business, and what you can do about it, follow along below.
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What is Mold?
Mold is a fungus. It is present in all air, indoors and outdoors, but becomes visible once formed in a large group. Mold grows in high-moisture areas, often found on basement walls. Appearance-wise, mold is colored green, blue, red, or black and can look fuzzy.
What is Mildew?
Mildew is also a fungus. In its early stages, mildew looks white and flat, sometimes with gray dots. It will turn brown with time. Mildew is a precursor to mold, also needing high moisture to grow. You will usually see mildew in bathrooms and kitchens.
Differences Between Mold and Mildew
1. Appearance
Mold and mildew grow in different colors, with mold typically being darker. Mold also takes on a raised, fuzzy look while mildew is flat, white, and powdery in its early stages.
2. Smell
Mold smells worse than mildew, for one. It is strong and will likely make you gag. Mildew is much less extreme, smelling musty. Mold = dead animal. Mildew = wet laundry.
3. Growth
When mildew grows, it stays on surfaces, never digging deep. Mold grows with more ferocity, sinking into walls and traveling upward.
Mold and Mildew Health Risks
If you have allergies or asthma, you will likely face a strong negative reaction to mold and mildew growth. Congestion and irritation are common symptoms of prolonged mold and mildew exposure, resulting in severe discomfort for people with increased sensitivity.
How Mold and Mildew Form
Since mold and mildew are fungi, they have airborne spores and can land on surfaces. In high-moisture areas, they will group together on walls and continuously grow. Growth commonly starts 24 to 48 hours after a surface becomes wet.
Causes of Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew spores will always be present in your home, but they will become a problem in the following conditions:
- Air and surfaces have a high moisture content
- There is a lack of sunlight
- Ventilation is poor or faulty
- There is an excess of dirt in the home
With these conditions in mind, pay attention to the following areas in your home:
- Places with dripping water
- Near showers and bathtubs
- In crawl spaces
- On ceilings and in corners
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How to Prevent Mold and Mildew
The #1 rule is to keep your home clean. It doesn’t need to be spotless, but keeping dirt and dust to a minimum is important.
The following considerations will also prevent mold and mildew growth:
- Make sure that ventilation is functional throughout your home, especially in basements and bathrooms.
- Inspect and clean your vents regularly.
- Reduce humidity with dehumidifiers.
- If you can leave a few windows open, this helps with natural ventilation.
- Look for signs of water leakage in high-risk areas like basements.
Tips to Prevent Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew view high-humidity areas as their next vacation spot. To shut them down, you need to reduce the moisture in your air and increase ventilation to high-risk spots.
Here’s what to do:
- Use fans, dehumidifiers, and cracked windows to combat growth.
- Check and fix leaky roofs, pipes, and windows.
- Increase ventilation to areas where water is present (such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements).
- Inspect high-risk areas regularly, looking for leaks and growths.
Testing for Mold and Mildew
If you notice the following conditions, you likely have mold or mildew in your home.
- A discolored patch has a strong, awful smell or musty, damp smell.
- A drop or two of bleach lightens the area’s color within a few minutes.
- The material beneath the mold or mildew is warped, cracked, or peeled.
- The affected area is near a moist spot with little light.
When these are all present, you should call a mold remediation company immediately. At PureDry, we have a thorough testing and mold remediation process that finds the extent of damages and safely restores your home’s structural integrity and air quality.
How to Get Rid of Mold and Mildew in Your Home
Calling a professional mold remediation service is highly recommended if you suspect mold and mildew growth. The remediation process for mold requires respiratory, hand, and eye protection—so it’s best left up to the experts. Improperly cleaning mold and mildew can also lead to further spread. However, if you’re confident and want to give it a go, here’s how you can remove mold and mildew in your home:
Removing Mildew
Wear protective equipment, then clean the affected area with hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, vinegar, and a spray bottle, or use a household cleaner. Then scrub the area with a brush or sponge until mildew seems to be gone. Make sure to dispose of any contaminated protective equipment.
Removing Mold
Mold is a stronger beast than mildew, but if you are dealing with a small area, it can be eliminated. Here is our recommended process:
- Wear respiratory, hand, and eye protection.
- Remove wet wallpaper, drywall, or wood.
- Spray the affected area with water to prevent spores from spreading through the air.
- Clean the affected area with hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, vinegar, and a spray bottle, or use disinfectants.
- Use a brush or sponge to scrub the mold out. Make sure you don’t use dirty water, and change sponges as needed.
- Dry the area for at least 48 hours using fans and dehumidifiers. Make sure the room is properly ventilated.
Call PureDry’s Mold Remediation Experts Today!
Mold and mildew are unwelcome guests in any home, causing structural damage and toxic environments when unaddressed. While homeowners can clean some spots, the mold remediation process should usually be left to a professional mold remediation company.
PureDry provides Greater Seattle’s trusted mold remediation services. Mold and mildew growth can be a serious health risk, which is why we offer 24/7 emergency service and rapid response times. We arrive within 60 minutes to restore your home’s health and your family’s safety, providing guidance on how to avoid mold growth in the future.
We bill directly to your insurance company and can help you pay less out-of-pocket expenses for our services. Experiencing a mold removal emergency? Give us a call 24/7 at (425) 374-0027. or book an appointment with PureDry’s mold remediation experts online.
