Mold vs. Mildew: What’s The Difference And How To Deal With Both Following Water Damage

Both mold and mildew are caused by flood damage in your home. Water damage pertains to the losses to a property such as a home or a building that is caused by prolonged exposure to water. This can be in the form of rotting of wood, formation of rust, bacterial growth, the removal of lamination in different home materials, and, perhaps most commonly, mold growth.
Mold is a fungal growth that usually develops on wet materials or areas. In nature, mold plays a part in breaking down dead organisms. However, inside your homes, molds can be a health hazard. When your home has experienced mold growth due to flood damage, Elmwood, Wisconsin, it’s best to call a service provider that can fix the problem right away.
The difference
But what is the difference between mold and mildew? Basically, mold is fungal growth that penetrates underneath the surface of an area or material. Mildew grows flat on the surface and can generally be easily removed. Mildew can be considered as a type of mold, often white or gray with patterned splotches that later turn into black or brown as the fungus grows. It usually grows in plants and other house surfaces.
Mold, meanwhile, is dark green or black in appearance and grows in damp and wet places such as showers, walls, windows, sinks, fabrics, curtains, among other household surfaces.
What they have in common is that both mildew and mold have adverse effects in the body. Mildew can cause coughing and other respiratory problems. Mold can be more severe, as it can cause a long list of health problems ranging from respiratory problems, allergic reactions, skin irritations, throat, and nasal congestion. At its worst, it can even cause pneumonia, migraine, dizziness, inflammation, and heart problems. It is best to eliminate the source of mold and mildew right away. Of course, you do this by fixing its root cause— flood damage, Elmwood, Wisconsin.
The solution
It is easier to clean areas with mildew since it does not stick to the surface or grow underneath it. A commercial-grade cleaner and brush can efficiently remove mildew in your home.
However, it is different from mold, since it attaches to the material and can grow and spread easily—not to mention prolonged exposure to it can lead to health problems. Naturally, it’s best to leave it to professionals.
A company that deals with flood damage, Elmwood, Wisconsin will first check where the mold has been growing and test which kind of mold has been growing in your house (since this will determine what kind of treatment and process will be needed to remove the mold). Once this is done, the service provider will remove the mold and remove and place areas and surfaces where the mold has grown, if necessary. Since mold grows beneath surfaces, it can be easy to miss the entire growth area if you’re doing it yourself. It is best to leave it to professionals in order to do the job properly and completely.
ERS offers flood damage, Elmwood, Wisconsin services and we promise quick response when you contact us for help. We have specially-trained technicians to solve your worries following flood or water damage.