You noticed some blemishes beneath the kitchen sink or on your wall. However, you’re unsure what it is. Maybe it’s mold. Perhaps it’s mildew. But how can you tell the difference? Before you make the call to a mold restoration company, here are a few key ways you can tell the difference between them.
1. Mildew is Easier to Spot
Don’t get us wrong – mold does grow on the surface of walls, tiles, and floorboards. But it also penetrates the surface of many items and grows inside the materials. On the other hand, mildew will mostly appear on the surface – and only the surface. Mildew prefers higher humidity levels, so you’ll see it more prominently in your bathroom and near your windows.
2. Household Cleaners Can Treat Mildew More Effectively Than Mold
Many household cleaners claim to fight mold and mildew, but only one of those things is usually true. Since mildew grows and stays on the surface, several household cleaners can effectively clean it. On the other hand, mold usually needs the trained hand of a mold restoration professional.
This is because mold usually grows in hard-to-reach areas like your home’s basement and crawl spaces. It also grows inside walls, ceilings, and in closets. Many homeowners cannot access and clean these areas properly. Furthermore, there are thousands of mold species. While not all will be inside your house, a mold remediation professional can identify them to treat them properly.
3. Mold is Fuzzy; Mildew Isn’t
The big question Portland homeowners have is whether or not their home has mold or mildew. The easiest way to tell them apart is by looking at their texture. Mold is usually fuzzy, although, sometimes it can have a gooey texture. Depending on the species, mold can also be a variety of colors like white, black, green, or gray.
Mildew, on the other hand, is usually either gray or white. It’s not fuzzy or slimy. Instead, it has a powdery or very dry texture.
4. Mold’s Smell is Stronger
Most people can recognize mold by its foul odor. Mold produces microbial volatile organic compounds, also known as MVOCs. These microbial compounds are formed during metabolism. This is what causes that unpleasant, musky odor.
Many people may not realize what mildew smells like or confuse it with mold. While mold smells like an old, dusty attic that hasn’t been cleaned out in years, mildew smells like rotting wood or wet socks.
Regardless of the scent, neither one is something you want to have in your home. An experienced mold restoration company can help eliminate it by treating and killing the mold at the source.
5. Mold Infestations Can Lead to Severe Allergies and Other Symptoms
One of the worst things about a mold infestation is the fact that it can lead to the development of some pretty gnarly symptoms. First, mold can worsen existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma. Unfortunately, it can cause issues much worse than this, too.
Mold causes severe allergic reactions that cause itchy/watery eyes, skin irritations, coughing, and sneezing. It also causes anxiety, insomnia and, in some cases, depression. It can even cause memory loss and personality changes.
While mildew can cause some sickness, it’s usually not on the same scale as mold. In most cases, prolonged exposure to mildew can cause headaches and minor respiratory problems.
Either way, it’s essential to seek the help of a mold restoration company to prevent these debilitating symptoms.
Does Your Portland Home Have a Mold Infestation? Call the Mold Restoration Team at PNW Restoration For Help
When it comes to mold and mildew, there are a lot of similarities. However, we hope this list has helped you identify what to look for. If you’re dealing with mold or mildew, it’s essential to call a professional mold damage technician for help. This is especially true if you recently suffered a flood or other water damage.
If your Portland home has mold, we have the tools to get rid of it. The team at PNW Restoration has years of experience treating mold at the source. Call us today at 971-247-3470 to schedule an appointment for mold restoration.
