Tag: mildew

Mold vs. Mildew: Spotting the Difference

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Exposure to dampness or mold is the estimated cause of a quarter of all asthma cases in the United States. Even for non-asthmatic homeowners, living with a mold or mildew problem can pose serious health threats. Answering the mold vs. mildew question starts with learning what to look for. The experts at RestoPros are here to share our advice on how to spot the difference.

Mold vs. Mildew: Similarities

  • Environments

-Both mold and mildew are types of fungi that flourish in moist, humid conditions with scarce light.

-Both mold and mildew grow when spores or seeds find their way into environments that are conducive to colony growth.

  •  Affected Hosts

-Neither mold nor mildew can grow on synthetic materials such as plastic and metal-based products.

  •  Odors and Physical Symptoms

-Both mold and mildew produce a similar musty odor.

-Both mold and mildew can cause similar physical symptoms to humans who are exposed.

Mold vs. Mildew: Differences

  • Appearance

-Mildew can be downy or powdery. Downy mildew starts as yellow spots that become brighter and then turn brown in color. Powdery mildew is whitish in color and slowly turns yellowish brown and then black.

-Mold is black, yellow, or green with a fuzzy or slimy texture. Severe mold growth looks like moss and can cause rot in its effected host.

  •  Growth Patterns

-Mildew is a type of mold that has flat growth patterns. Unlike mold, mildew remains on the surface of its host where is can be easily removed. Mildew is drawn to moisture and grows on damp surfaces like your kitchen, bathroom, and basement. You can find mildew growth in toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, and on bathroom walls.

-Mold is a fungus that grows in patches which penetrate beneath the surface of its host. Mold grows on living sources, including food, drywall, paper, and wood. Mold can often grow on your ceilings, window sills, and walls.

  • Effects on the Host

 –Mildew can harm the food or plants upon which it grows, but usually does not cause any lasting damage to other surfaces such as tile floors or bathroom mirrors.

 –Mold can damage entire structures because it penetrates beneath the surface of its host.

  • Effects on Exposed Humans

 –Mildew can cause similar allergic reactions to those caused by mold, such as coughing, sneezing, headache, sore throat, and respiratory problems. However, mildew is much easier to eliminate because it remains on the surface of its host.

 –Mold can pose a serious threat to your health. It can trigger sinus problems, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, sore throat, migraines, itching, rashes, fatigue, and even depression. Mold is difficult to remove because it penetrates below the surface of its host.

 

So, now you know some signs to look for when answering your mold vs. mildew question, but what should you do about your problem? Contact the experts at RestoPros for immediate mold testing and remediation today!

 

8 Symptoms of Mold Exposure

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8 Symptoms of Mold ExposureOften we talk about how to spot mold, where to find it, and what it looks like when damage to walls and foul smells are the results of mold creeping through your home.  However, there are times when mold is so well hidden that no damage is apparent to your home.  When mold has taken root into your ventilation system or is hiding out in a corner of the carpet beneath an end table, it’s difficult to realize it’s even there.  But your body also gives off warning signs that something is wrong, and there are a few key reactions to mold and mildew spores in the air.

Symptoms:

Headaches

The source of a headache is always difficult to find.  People with regular migraines or those sensitive to mold can suffer from a headache as a reaction to mold spores in the air.  If you’ve had an increase in headaches recently (and a few other symptoms from this list) it might be due to mold hiding somewhere in your home.

Eye Irritation

While eye irritation is usually associated with dust or allergies, mold spores and mildew can aggravate eyes leading to red-watery eyes.

Runny Nose or Sinuses

Just as with irritated eyes, a constantly runny nose or sinus congestion can be caused by exposure to mold.  Since it shares so many similarities with allergies it can be difficult to discern if the reaction is related to mold (especially during allergy seasons such as ragweed season).  Since many responses to mold are due to allergic reactions to the spores, diagnosis is difficult.  If the response is out-of-season and not a simple head cold, it’s best to look around for mold.

Nose Bleeds

This is a more uncommon symptom of excess mold growth in a home.  People who are more sensitive to mold or suffer from mild allergic reactions to mold spores can suffer damage to nasal membranes, leading to regular bleeding.  An occasional nose bleed is typically not a sign of anything series, but regular nose bleeds should be looked into, and an examination of your home is not a bad use of time.

Sore Throat

Sore throats are also indicative of mold exposure since spores can become lodged inside the trachea or esophagus.  If you experience a raw feeling when swallowing or sound a little hoarse, it could be mold related.  Double check the humidity settings in your home to make sure they’re set to roughly 45%.  Dry air can also lead to these symptoms, but overly humid air will lead to mold growth.

Shortness of Breath

Some people react to mold with respiratory difficulty.  If you’ve been having trouble breathing recently or get winded easily at home, it might be due to mold spreading throughout the air in your home.  If you do not suffer from asthma but have asthma like symptoms, consult a doctor and inspect your home for mold.

Skin Rash

Mold can infect and irritate skin even without direct contact.  Inhalation or indirect contact with airborne mold spores can lead to redness and irritating rashes that have no explained source.

Lethargy (Feeling Tired)

Ongoing lethargy despite regular sleep is a symptom of mold exposure.  If you can’t seem to get rested after several days of regular sleep, consult a physician and inspect your home for mold.

What to Do:

Remember that any one of these symptoms can just as easily be a symptom of mild illness or other issues not related to mold.  The more of these symptoms you suffer at once, the greater the likelihood that it’s due to mold.  If you notice a decrease in allergy-like symptoms when you’re away from home or the office (even when you step out of your car) then there’s a great chance that there’s a mold problem at that location.  Your best solution is to call a mold inspection and remediation professional to deal with the source of the problem.  Most mold symptoms fade away after exposure has been removed.

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What to Look for During a Mold Search

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What to Look for During a Mold SearchIt sounds simple: “I’m looking for mold, so that’s all I need to find.”  But finding mold isn’t just about looking in a corner and spotting mold growth.  It’s about finding the signs of growth, seeking out their source, and looking for possible future problems.  So what should you be looking for?

Musty Smells

Mold spores carried in the air fill a room with a strong, musty odor.  Enclosed and poorly ventilated areas are especially susceptible to this.  In fact, that ‘scent of rain’ that many people enjoy after a rainstorm is actually caused by airborne mold spores and dust spread through the atmosphere by rainfall.  High concentrations of this released by mold growth and mildew in your home generate an earthy-musty odor in rooms.  When you walk into a room or turn on the ventilation, if the air smells musty, take some time to search the room for signs of mold.

Look in cabinets and under furniture for mold growth.  Mold can also hide inside ventilation systems so it’s a good idea to shine a flashlight into the vents and look for signs of mold growth.  This is especially true if the smell only arises when the fan is running.

Watch for Water Damage

Keep an eye out around your home for signs of water intrusion.  Bubbling wallpaper and warped boards are clear signs of wood damage from water leaks.  Puddles and drips from air conditioners, burst pipes, and leaky roofs are clear signs of water intrusion.  If there’s been a recent rainstorm, examine any places where water has pooled around your home.  When water pools near the foundation, it can start leaking into the foundation and eventually work its way into basements and cellars.  Of course, water stains on carpet, ceilings, and walls can all hint at possible places where you’ll find mold.

If water has found its way into your home and you can’t account for it, look around the site of the damage.  You may need to pull up carpet or peel back damaged wallpaper but there’s a better than average chance you have mold hiding in those spaces.

Listen for Drips

This is a little less obvious, but if you hear water dripping take notice.  Not only is dripping water a good way to lose money every month (leaks and drips can add up to hundreds of dollars each year) it’s also a prime way to feed mold and mildew growth.  Always find the source of any drips you can hear and keep an eye on them while you’re waiting to have them fixed.

Honestly, the best times to search for mold are after heavy rainstorms and extended stays away from home.  If you’ve been absent for more than two weeks, it won’t hurt to look around your house and check around appliances.  Refrigerators, freezers, washers, air conditioners, and water heaters are all prime real estate for leaks and condensation spills.  A power loss can lead to excess condensation as temperatures balance out, leading to dripping water that you missed while you were gone.  It’s better to take a look around and catch mold growth while it’s still small.

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Tips for Preventing Mildew

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Tips for Preventing MildewBoth mold and mildew are fungal growths that coat surfaces with a nasty, spore-spewing substance when the humidity and temperature reach the correct levels.  But where mold tends to be black or green and spongy, mildew is often a white, powdery substance that coats multiple objects.  And, unlike the commonly-held belief, mildew doesn’t just rest on organic substances like paper and fabric either.  Glass, tile, and plastics can all become growing spots for mildew, which can allow it to spread to more easily damaged or porous substances.

Primary Locations

So where are you going to be likely to find mildew?  Anywhere you’d likely find mold growing.  Dark corners where high humidity is prevalent.  Mildew grows quickly when the environment is right, which means closed off laundry hampers, basement corners, and cabinets near water sources or leaky plumbing are all prime suspects for mildew.

Any room that suffers from high humidity, either during storms or during use – think basements during a storm or a bathroom during a hot shower – is a hotspot for mildew.  Surfaces that are hidden from the light are perfect as well.  Vinyl wallcoverings and flooring that’s hidden beneath appliances should be checked every quarter to make sure that no mildew has begun growing in these spaces.

Any areas of the home that are poorly ventilated can be a cause for concern as well. Ventilation makes it difficult for mold and mildew to grow because it helps to keep surfaces dry via evaporation.  Once mildew has already begun to grow, a ventilated area (without dehumidification) will only serve to spread spores faster.

Prevention and Control

So now you know where to find mildew, what can you do about preventing its growth in the first place? Unsurprisingly, many of the practices you need to follow for preventing water and mold damage apply here.

Fix Moisture Problems – Leaks, drips, and excess condensation are all sources for mildew.

Increase Air Circulation – Moving air helps to control temperature and dry out surfaces, making things difficult for mildew to develop.  This includes during or after showers or while cooking.  Use the vent fans to circulate humid air away from surfaces and keep humidity levels down.

Remove Wet Items – This isn’t just from water leaks and damage.  Any wet items need to be replaced or dried quickly. That includes laundry in your hamper.  Don’t let them sit and don’t leave water pooling anywhere.

Use a Dehumidifier – Humidity control is key.  If you aren’t planning on running your air conditioner regularly (strange as that may be during the summer), buy a dehumidifier for humid rooms to deal with the excess and keep things at or below 45% humidity.

Keep Your Home Clean – Strange as it may sound, cleaning up your home and general house maintenance are key to preventing mold.  Replacing air filters and dusting help to mitigate dust and mold spores.  General cleaning and maintenance will also force you to check trouble spots and keep them clear of any contaminants or current growth while the infestations are small.

Throw Away the Unsalvageable – Don’t keep moldy items.  If mildew has completely taken over something, it’s often best to simple toss it and replace it.  Porous items such as wood, insulation, or sheetrock should all be replaced quickly.  Favorite clothes and even some heirloom items are often not worth the cost of cleaning.  Irreplaceable memories should be sent for restoration if you really need to keep them.  But never let moldy items just sit around in the hope that drying out the air will fix the problem.

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