Difference Between Mold And Mildew In Attic

What is the difference between mold and mildew.

Difference between mold and mildew in attic.

The terms mold and mildew are often used interchangeably and while they have similar characteristics like thriving in damp areas they are not the same. This is why it s less common to see mold growth on base trim after a flooding event. Typically mold appears black or green while mildew looks gray or white. Attics usually have a passive ventilation system in which outside air comes in through the soffit eave vents at the bottom warms up in the attic and escapes through the can or ridge vents at the top because hot air rises.

Mildew is a kind of mold which means mold and mildew have a lot in common. According to a 2017 unicef report dampness and mold raise the risk of developing asthma by up to 50 percent. Mold is more dangerous and difficult to manage. White mold tends to grow in high humidity environments rather than areas suffering from total saturation.

Attic sheathing and framing. We are often asked about the differences between mold vs mildew and about the best method for cleaning mold and mildew. The term mildew is often used generically to refer to mold growth usually with a flat growth habit. But mold and mildew also have striking differences when it comes to size color and texture.

Mildew is considered surface fungi that can be treated and removed fairly easily. The chart below shows some of the major differences. The most common cause of attic mold by far is blocked or insufficient ventilation of the attic space. The key difference between mold and mildew is that the mold has a fuzzy appearance and often appears as black green red patches that penetrate beneath the surface while the mildew has a powdery appearance and often appears as grey or white patches that grow only on the surface.

Yet there are some more detailed specifics in the appearance of the fungi. Mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus. What to do if you spot mildew in your attic. They are both fungi are often found inside homes thrive in moist environments spread from surface to surface easily and may cause problems with your health and your home.

While mildew is a mostly harmless gray or white fungus found in moist areas of homes mold is usually black or green and can cause respiratory illness nausea fatigue and allergies. Is there a difference. Mold and mildew are two very similar kinds of fungi which prefer growing on moist and warm places. Powdery mildew can be easily recognized as white or gray patterned splotches on plant leaves.

Mildew is a surface fungi that can easily be identified as a patch of gray or even white fungus that is lying on the surface of a moist area. Differences between mold and mildew in appearance. The vast majority of attic mold is caused by humidity which is why white mold growth is common here.