Houses aren’t frequently as dry as an Arizona desert and moisture can cause things to grow, especially in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other areas where moisture is frequently found. Owners want their homes and office buildings to be free from annoying spores and they also want their property to be safe. Some molds, such as black mold, can cause serious health problems whereas other products of humidity are fairly harmless. While they are both types of fungus, understanding the difference between mold and mildew while inspecting your home might save time, effort, and money.
Both mold and mildew are products of moisture. The most common forms of mildew can be found in the garden. Powdery mildew is well known to gardeners and so, too, is downy mildew. Mildew in the house grows primarily on fabric but can also be found on shower curtains and in laundry areas. It also grows inside quite rapidly and has a very nasty odor to it. Mildew is not necessarily a hazard to health; however, if inhaled, mildew can cause headaches, coughing, and other forms of physical discomfort. It is not by itself life threatening.
Mildew is a form of mold, but that does not mean that mold is a form of mildew. The biggest difference between mold and mildew is that black mold, also known as stachybotrys chartarum, can cause serious illness. This fungus is the source of a trichothecene mycotoxin known as Satrotoxin-H. Airborne black mold spores can generate severe physical reactions if breathed in. This pathogen can be such a threat to health that homes heavily infested with black mold need to be evacuated and radical means, including demolition, have to be used.
Mold also has the potential of weakening the structure of a building as the spores eat into wood and other building materials. Once identified, neither mold nor mildew is something to be ignored. Keeping moisture under control helps, because both need water as a medium for growth. While mildew, like mold, must be controlled, it does not require remedies as extreme as those used to control black mold. Mildew control can be a DIY project for a home or building owner and there are a number of products available on the market that anyone can use to get rid of this household nuisance. Mold, however, is oftentimes an entirely different matter.
Black mold needs to be dealt with immediately once it has been detected, and removal is not always a simple household chore. The harmful pathogens generated by this fungus mean that simply washing the blighted area may be dangerous. Depending on how invasive the infestation has become, black mold may require professional mold removal to eliminate it from the premises. Because it is often difficult to determine the level of severity of the contaminated area, especially to the untrained person without more sophisticated equipment, it is typically best to air on the side of caution when deciding whether or not to utilize professional help; especially when the risks are severe.
Prevention is always less expensive than the cure, and both mold and mildew growth can be discouraged with simple household appliances, such as dehumidifiers, fans, and effective ventilation systems. Routine inspection of the more common areas for mold to thrive, such as basements, bathrooms, and attics, can often stop the problem before it turns into a bigger problem. While there is a significant difference between mold and mildew, what they have in common are the negative effects created by their presence in a home. Even if the initial warning sign is nothing more than a musty odor, mold and mildew make a house less comfortable and potentially harmful to be in. Failure to do anything can lead to further problems for the health of the hearth and the people living there.