Mold And Mildew Have Separate Meanings

4/21/2021 (Permalink)

Differences Between Mold and Mildew

Mold is a kind of fungus that can penetrate surfaces, such as walls, floors, and ceilings. Often, mold grows behind walls and in crawl spaces, so they are hidden from sight. However, this does not mean that there is no mold issue. When they can be seen, depending on the type of mold, they are usually in black or green patches. In contrast, mildew is a subtype of mold that does not penetrate the material that it grows on. Instead, mildew will stay on the surface and can be easily seen. It usually grows on damp surfaces, fabrics, and paper.

In terms of appearance, mold generally appears  fuzzy or slim. They often show up as spots that have irregular shapes and are black, green, yellow, brown, or blue. On the other hand, mildew generally appears powdery or fluffy and grows flatly. It usually covers the area in a white, black, or yellow patch.

Mildew mostly affects plants and crops. However, when grown indoors for a prolonged period, both mildew and mold can cause a series of health effects. This is why it is crucial to get rid of mold and mildew problems.

Common Types of Mold and Mildew

There are many types of mold, but the most common ones that grow in homes are:

• Penicillium
• Cladosporium
• Aspergillus
• Alternaria
• Stachybotrys Chartarum

The most common types of mildew to be found are downy and powdery mildew.

Getting Rid of Mold and Mildew

Unlike mold, mildew is much easier to remove because it only grows on the surface of materials.  a simple spray of a household cleaner on the affected area and utilization of a brush to scrub away the mildew would be sufficient along with wearing proper personal protective equipment. As for mold, it is recommended that professionals are called in to carry out mold remediation as they have the expertise in understanding how mold grows and how to contain it.

Approach SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City for Professional Mold Remediation

If you are facing a mold problem in your home, do not hesitate to approach SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City for mold remediation. Our team is highly trained and experienced. Contact us for more information and our friendly customer representatives will get back to you.