Notorious enemies of your home, mold and mildew appear in the most obscure, hard-to-find places. An infestation can be intimidating for homeowners, but these fungi can be defeated and eliminated. Both mold and mildew start out as small, fuzzy, smelly spots in corners and crevices. When left to grow in the right conditions, the two start to develop unique traits. Learn the signs of mold or mildew infestations and prepare yourself now.
What is mold? What is mildew? What’s the difference?
Mold is a branch of fungus that can extend deeper than an object’s surface, especially on porous, organic matter, such as last week’s leftovers or aging hardwood floors. Mold infestations can appear in a variety of colors from green, black, and white to orange.
Mildew is another type of fungus that grows on surfaces in dark, warm, and damp areas. It is characterized by its gray or white color and appears often in patches.
Mold and mildew could grow anywhere that is hot and humid. Pay particular attention to areas of the home such as the basement, showers, heating and cooling appliances, air ducts, or crawlspaces. The unpleasant odor of fungal infestations is a tell-tale sign that you might need to inspect your home.
What are the dangers of having mold and mildew in your home?
Breathing in mold or mildew spores is detrimental to your health. Mold can manifest itself in deadly forms. Some varieties, like black mold, are extremely poisonous to humans. While mildew itself is non-toxic, long exposure to large infestations can create respiratory issues, especially in people with asthma or allergies.
How do I treat it?
Find the source first. Mold and mildew require both heat and humidity. Before treating the area, stop any leaks or have the area dried out by a professional.
Take the appropriate precautions before attempting to treat these fungi. Always wear a mask or respirator, goggles and gloves. The best course of action is to treat the infestation as soon as possible. Approaching mold is complex and laborious. Several factors impact the manner in which mold should be treated, such as the size of the infestation, the affected surfaces, the length of time that the mold has been allowed to grow, and its toxicity.
A mixture of water and vinegar or borax can start the process. First, start by scraping at the area with a sharp tool. Be mindful of the surface on which you are working. For drywall, you want to use a more gentle touch than tile or wood. Then, begin working with a sponge, detergent, and water. Gradually increase the intensity of your scrubbing as you go. This is the labor-intensive portion. Sometimes mold can be easily removed with the right cleaning solution and a little elbow grease. If this proves to remove the mold, congratulations! If not, you may need to contact a local professional.
A pressure washer might do the trick on exterior mold. For vinyl siding, create a solution that is two parts water to one part vinegar. For roof shingles, though, consider contacting a professional.
Treating mildew can be as easy as attacking the area with a store-bought cleaning agent and a scrub brush. Baking soda and vinegar, chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia have also been found to be effective in removing existing mildew.
How do I know when to call a professional?
If the infested area is larger than a 3’x3’ area, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends contacting a local professional immediately. Exterior mold usually indicates that there is up to four times as much fungus growing under the surface, so it is recommended to have a professional evaluate your home. You should also ask a professional for help if accessing the area of your home is dangerous, such as crawling into a tight space or climbing on to the roof.
What can I do to prevent mold and mildew?
Moderating the humidity levels in your house will help prevent fungus from being able to build up. Make sure the dehumidifier in your house is fully functioning. Also, on drier days, try keeping your windows open and using natural air rather than conditioned air. This keeps any excess moisture from flowing through your ventilation ducts and will save on energy costs.
Clean your bathroom, kitchen, garage, and basement regularly. Any place in the home with access to water or limited natural light is a perfect milieu for mildew. Go over all of the nooks and crannies with a solution of water and vinegar or ammonia.
In a hot, humid climate like Florida, treating the roof and the siding of your home annually is a good measure to prevent exterior infestations. Preemptive power washes of a water and chlorine bleach solution will fortify your home’s exterior against these fungi before they have a chance to declare war.
Do some research on which mold-resistant paints are available at your local home improvement store. Remove the mold completely before re-painting. Brands may claim to be able to paint over mold, but this is inadvisable due to the health risks. To prevent mold from coming back, select paint with an anti-microbial additive already included. Paints that are already labeled as mold and mildew-proof are pre-mixed with harsh chemicals. Do not add any additional chemicals for mold or mildew prevention without consulting the manufacturer.
Some houseplants such as English Ivy and Peace Lilies are known to remove excess humidity, toxins, and airborne mold from the environment. Keeping these plants in homes that are susceptible to mold can increase air quality in the house and prevent infestations.
Is it worth the trouble?
Ridding your home of mold and mildew is crucial to extending the longevity of your house’s structure and protecting your health. If you have mold in your home, there is an underlying problem. Visible fungus indicates that there is a deeper infestation you cannot see. Reduce the risks around your home to prevent mold and mildew from starting to grow. Familiarize yourself with the procedures for treating mold and mildew and know when to call a professional. 
Alix Clise
Home & Yard Magazine
