Mold vs. Mildew: Is There Really A Difference?

In Low Country, both Mold and Mildew can have adverse health consequences in the home.

Well, it is not an age-old argument, certainly not on the level of chickens as to historically which came first, the chicken or the egg. But there is still a discrepancy as to whether mold and mildew mean the same thing. So what is the definitive answer?
Mold and mildew are different types of fungi

Definitely, mold and mildew are two different types of fungus, but they both share a common health concern for humans. Let’s look at how mold and mildew are similar first, then uncover their differences.
Mold and mildew are growths of fungus that can both occur in the home in living spaces if water damage is an issue in those structural environments. Both mold and mildew also occur naturally in outdoor environments and their jobs outside are similar. They both work to break down organic matter, and to help organic plants and insects to decay and become nutrients again for the earth.
Mold and mildew are “friends forever”

In the media where marketing groups mold and mildew together to sell products that “fight” mold and mildew, they are usually listed together on the bottles of toilet bowl cleaner, shower scrub cleaners and cleaners for other wet areas of the home as one product. If a product is toted as getting rid of “mold and mildew” it is quite natural that consumers will begin to see them as the exact same problem. But alas, they are not the same issue, they are as far from being the same fungus as comparing carrots and automobile engines. Let’s see how that can be true.
The real differences between mold and mildew

The general texture of mildew is that it is light and powdery, while mold is most likely slimy and has a glycerine type of texture in comparison. Mildew usually lays on a structure and does not generally leave lasting damage to the surfaces that it alights on. While mold can “eat” and break down a home’s inner structure, damage wood to make the wood turn to rot, and overall feast on the inner structure of a home if left unattended.
Mold has more serious health consequences for humans

Molds can have serious health consequences for humans, such as it may trigger asthma, problems with breathing and respiratory issues, heart problems or headaches. Mildew on the other hand rarely acts as an allergy trigger in most people.
Finally, the color of molds and mildew are different. Mildew is usually white or grey, and sometimes is yellow. Molds on the other hand are often black, darker green hued, or darkened brown in color.
Remediation of mold is tougher than of mildew

When mildew is found in the home, it may be easy to wipe if off from the wall or floor, and if it is then sanitized in the area, it may prevent the mildew from reforming in that location of the home. But if mold is found in the home, residents of the Low Country will want to call the #1 Low Country Restoration team to help eradicate mold once and for all, safely and assuredly.

Neither mold nor mildew will eradicate itself by itself. No, the only way to get rid of mold and mildew for good is to call the water damage restoration teams of the Low Country, to get immediate help with water damage restoration, sewage cleanup, flood restoration or help with your flooded basements. Call Restoration 1 of Low Country today and we will be happy to help you manage your water damage issues in the Low Country right now.