Know Your Fungus: Mold vs Mildew
Though both mold and mildew are a type of fungus that you do not want to find in your Maryland home, they actually do have a few key differences.
Appearance
Mold is typically fuzzy in appearance and comes in a large range of colors including blue, yellow, green, brown, black, grey, or white. Mildew however, usually grows in a flat pattern and can appear powdery or downy. The powdery mildew starts out white in color, but can turn yellow, brown, or black later on in time. Mold that appears downy will instead look yellow and then turns brown.
Health Issues
Both mildew and mold have been known to create quite a few health issues for those that are receiving constant exposure to it. Mildew exposure has been linked to symptoms like difficulty breathing, coughing, sore throat, and headaches. However, mold exposure can cause those symptoms and more. In fact, mold exposure has been linked to allergic reactions, sinus infections, and even depression.
Damages
Mildew tends to cause damage to quite a few plants and crops, however it is usually limited to just that. However, mold is known to cause quite a bit of structural damage to home over time. In fact, if left untreated, it can damage entire walls and ceilings and several kinds of household items that are lying around.
Beneficial Uses
As far as we know, there is no mildew that exists that has any beneficial use. However, there are actually a few forms of mold that do. You can find certain kinds of mold in many kinds of cheese and some can even be used to create medicines like penicillin. Still, if the mold you find is in your home, it is not likely to be either of these kinds and needs to be removed as soon as possible.
Whether you have mold or mildew in your home, AAAction Waterproofing has the mold remediation services to diagnose and treat your problem. You can even prevent a mold or mildew problem with the help of our basement and crawlspace waterproofing. Contact us today to learn more about our waterproofing and mold remediation services and receive a free quote today!