Is It Mold or Mildew?

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

Mold and mildew need warm, moist, areas like bathrooms to grow.

Owning a home means you will undoubtedly encounter many different smells. Some of those smells are enjoyable like a home cooked meal or the fresh smell of a clean home. Other smells are unwanted, and unwelcomed intruders like the dank, musty smell of mildew or worse, mold.

Mold and mildew are part of the same fungi family and often confused with one another in the residential environment because they look similar.  

Only an environmental scientist can properly identify mold. If you suspect you have mold it is best to call us to schedule an appointment.

Identifying the difference between mold and mildew is straightforward, once you know what to look for.

Mildew

Mildew, identified by white or grey patches on a moist area can be easily cleaned with consumer level retail products and a good scrub. Like mold, mildew requires moist, warm areas to grow. Mildew will grow on a wide range of surfaces from your shower to food. It can cause discoloration and odor problems, and in severe cases lead to allergic reactions along with other health concerns.

Mold

While the most commonly associated color with mold is fuzzy green, it can come in a wide range of colors. Black, blue, brown, orange, and even blue are some of the other colors of mold. No matter the color, if you suspect it’s mold, it needs to be removed.

The best way to prevent either from appearing in your home is to control it. Control mold by keeping your home dry and moisture free.  The appearance of mildew and/or mold in your home indicates there is a moisture problem. Fix the moisture problem and then remove the mildew yourself.

About Our Mold Remediation Services
SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest specializes in mold cleanup and restoration. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call SERVPRO® of North Raleigh & Wake Forest Today 919-790-1222