Mold and mildew are often believed to be one in the same. Unless you have had past experience with one or the other, you may believe so as well. It is never a good thing if either one begin to develop in your home or business. Both can have repercussions and if left untreated, both can develop into something more severe and can not only be costly, but can have potential health consequences.
Look At The Appearance
You notice something suspect on the carpet and wall in your basement. What is that? One of your neighbors had a problem with mold in the past, however you don’t quite remember what it looked like.
Thankfully, mold and mildew look different. Yes, they are both considered fungi, but they are different in color and texture. Mildew is generally white or gray and looks powdery and sometimes even fuzzy. Mold, on the other hand, can be various shades of green all the way to black. Mold can also be fuzzy and it can be slimy as well. If you see black, there is a serious problem.
What Do You Smell?
Both of these fungi have a similar smell to them; however, mold smells much more pungent than mildew. With mildew, you may smell a slight musty odor, and if you have mold growing, you may smell something similar but much more pungent, as well as a wet, rotting stench.
Health Consequences
Since mildew is the lesser of the two evils, it also has less health consequences related to it. In certain people, having mildew in their living space can bring about general allergies, coughing, headache, and/or respiratory issues. There can be more severe reactions with a mold infestation, especially if it has turned into black mold. Allergic reactions, asthma, bronchitis, wheezing, skin and eye irritation, sneezing, and rash. If the mold is left untreated and people continue to live in that toxic environment, there could be more long-term health problems.
Getting Rid Of Both
Ridding your space of mildew is relatively easy because mildew lives on the surface of the area it has flourished upon. Using bleach, vinegar, or any special mildew-removing cleaner you find at the store along with a scrubbing brush will do the trick. Mold is more tricky to remove because it really depends on how far the infestation got. It may take removing carpet, window treatments, or even going behind the walls or under floorboards. Oftentimes, it is better to leave mold removal to the professionals if you are not experienced or familiar with the process.
Sometimes mildew can turn into mold; therefore it is especially important to be on the lookout for signs of mildew and get rid of it immediately. If you do encounter mold, don’t hesitate to contact a professional to help you understand what the source of the problem is and what it will take to eliminate the mold and fix the underlying issue.
If you end up having a moldy situation and are in need of a cleanup and restoration specialist, don’t worry—Restoration Certified Specialists, Inc. will take care of you! They have been proudly serving the Santa Rosa and North Bay areas since 1975.
