Molds include all species of microscopic fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae.
Difference between mold and mildew in attic.
Mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus.
Attic sheathing and framing.
Mold vs mildew differences.
The most common cause of attic mold by far is blocked or insufficient ventilation of the attic space.
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.
Yet there are some more detailed specifics in the appearance of the fungi.
The chart below shows some of the major differences.
Mold and mildew are both types of fungi and are similar in many ways.
The vast majority of attic mold is caused by humidity which is why white mold growth is common here.
Mildew is considered surface fungi that can be treated and removed fairly easily.
Powdery mildew can be easily recognized as white or gray patterned splotches on plant leaves.
Mildew is a kind of mold which means mold and mildew have a lot in common.
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.
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.
White mold tends to grow in high humidity environments rather than areas suffering from total saturation.
What to do if you spot mildew in your attic.
Mold and mildew are two very similar kinds of fungi which prefer growing on moist and warm places.
Differences between mold and mildew in appearance.
But mold and mildew also have striking differences when it comes to size color and texture.
According to a 2017 unicef report dampness and mold raise the risk of developing asthma by up to 50 percent.
Is there a difference.
This is why it s less common to see mold growth on base trim after a flooding event.
Mold is more dangerous and difficult to manage.
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.
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.
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.
