There's often a great deal of confusion about mildew vs. mold. The two are different in several ways, but we explained that in more depth here already.
Today, we are going to talk about what causes mildew in your home. Knowing these 7 common causes of mildew growth can help you get rid of this pesky home invader at its source.
This will allow you to get rid of it for good, and not just until the next time it comes back.
In this article, you will learn:
- Is mildew harmful for your health?
- Common types of mildew
- What causes mildew?
- 5 common places that mildew grows
- How to keep mildew out of your home
- Finding professional help to remove mildew
Let’s get to it.
Is mildew harmful to your health?
Mildew can cause problems with your health but not to the same degree as mold. Exposure to mildew spores can result in respiratory problems, coughing, headaches, and sore throats.
What is mildew?
Mildew is a specific type of mold. It grows in a flat formation on the surface. Because it is on the surface, it is much easier to remove compared to mold which grows inside different material. Mildew is typically found on damp surfaces like fabrics, paper, or other organic materials inside of your home.
Types of Mildew
There are two common types of mildew:
1. Powdery
Powdery mildew is something you see on plants most of the time. This is the type of mildew that is white or gray and appears in splotches. As the fungus continues to grow it might turn yellow, brown, or black.
2. Downy
This type of mildew can appear in many varieties but it typically start out as yellow spots and eventually turns brown.
In any case mildew is typically powdery or fluffy and can be easily identified because of the patches in which it grows which are white, gray, or yellow. Mildew will typically turn black or brown with time.
What is the difference between mildew and mold?
Mildew and mold are both types of fungi that are typically found in moist environments inside the home. They can both spread easily and they live on many types of surfaces.
If either are allowed to thrive unattended they can quickly impact a large areas of your home and cause subsequent health problems. Mold is a fungus that can grow quickly in patches and penetrate the porous material in your home.
Pro Tip: To learn more about the difference between mildew and mold, check out this comprehensive guide we wrote.
Can breathing in mildew make you sick?
In some cases, you can get sick breathing in mildew, particularly if you have a pre-existing respiratory condition or asthma. Additionally, some people have more severe allergies to mildew.
Regardless, exposure to mildew can irritate your eyes, your throat, your nose, your lungs, and your skin. Health problems from mildew and mold are frequently reported from long term exposure.
What causes mildew?
1. Moisture
Moisture is one of the most important factors. When an area is too moist, there is too much water in the air, and it allows mildew to grow. Mildew needs other things to live like a food source, and it prefers darkness, and of course having stale air exacerbates this - but the most important factor contributing to mildew is moisture.
That is why you want to always clean up any excess water, leave the fans on in your bathroom after you shower, and rectify any plumbing leaks you have immediately. Also, considering an air purifier or dehumidifier has been shown to drastically lower household moisture and prevent mildew growth.
2. Darkness
Mildew loves darkness. That is why you typically find mildew growth in smaller corners and rooms where there is very little sunlight. Allowing natural light to filter into your home has antibacterial properties that kill off the potential for mold and mildew. Areas that never receive sunlight and remain dark are much more susceptible to growth.
3. Stale air
Mildew spores exist in the environment naturally, so if you open windows from time to time they will come into your home. But keeping your home open with regular air flow moves the spores around. Any excess moisture in the air gets moved out. Stale air is the perfect breeding ground for mildew.
4. Cool temperatures
Cooler temperatures are the perfect incubation environment for mildew. They allow spores to grow and multiply quickly, without very little holding them back. Low temperatures also allow moisture to stay longer, creating more fuel for mildew to grow.
5. Evaporation
Small amounts of water when allowed to evaporate can increase the level of moisture. This is typically most common in bathrooms and other wet rooms of the house like kitchens. Having a vent to deal with water vapor in the air in your home can help prevent mildew growth.
6. Sudden warmth
During the Summer and Spring thawing specifically, when there are sudden bouts of warm weather, it can lead to mildew growth, especially if other environmental factors are present.
For example: inside your crawl space moisture may have been absorbed during the winter. As the damp, moist, stale air remained steady, a sudden increase in temperature could cause the water in the soil to evaporate which would increase the moisture in the air which. When combined with all of the other factors, would cause mildew growth.
7. Dirt and grease
Mildew and mold need food. In your kitchen, if there is grease and dirt, it provides the perfect food source. In any other room in your house, if things are dirty, and you allow dust and debris to settle and accumulate over time, it can provide a tasty treat for mildew.
5 Common Places Mildew Grows
Throughout the average household, there are a few common places that mold and mildew grow in. Knowing where to find these home invaders can help you keep them out, and locate them before any real problems arise.
1. Basements
You should check on your basement, especially after it has been flooded. After a heavy rain, you might not realize that there was a small flood in the basement. Even a limited amount of rain water when allowed to settle in the corner or in the floorboards can cause damage within 24 to 48 hours. You should check on your basement regularly around any of the windows and floors.
Pro Tip: For people who have had basement flooding and want to take the right measures to prevent mold, check out this helpful guide.
2. Kitchens
Don't just conduct a cursory examination of your kitchen counters. Underneath your kitchen sink is a common place for mold growth and mildew growth that often goes overlooked. You also want to check underneath and behind your refrigerator. Most of the time a refrigerator fits into a nook in between at least one set of counters. In some cases it might be next to a sink where water sloshes off and lands behind the refrigerator where it is allowed to sit.
3. Bathrooms
Always check your bathroom, look under the bathroom sink and around any windows. If you happen to have carpet in your bathroom, even just a small bath mats, let them dry. Also check the floor around the bathtub and around the sink for any standing water. You might not realize that when you get out of the shower you drip water that settles into the corner of an uneven floor and overtime creates an environment perfect for mildew.
4. Attics
Attics and basements alike are where most people store boxes of things. That might include cardboard boxes, stacks of old newspapers, or magazines. You always want to check on these items to make sure they are dry.
In the winter, an attic might remain very cold and even a small crack in the attic window could allow water inside which eventually wets the cardboard boxes and leads to mildew growth. If you store things like carpets or fabrics or clothing in your attic or your basement, always check on those items. Air them out every so often and make sure they have some room to breathe. Check on any type of upholstery or fabric regularly.
5. Crawl spaces
Your crawl spaces, including crawl spaces under the house with a bare earth floor, typically have a relatively higher level of humidity compared to the rest of your home. This is an environment perfect for hidden mildew gross. Soil typically locks in moisture and as the relative temperature starts to dry out the soil, that evaporation increases the amount of moisture in the air.
How to Prevent Mildew in Your Home
So, how do you prevent mildew? The most effective way to prevent mildew in your home is to keep all areas in your home dry and free from moisture. Follow these steps:
1. Measure Humidity Levels in Your Home
Start by measuring the humidity levels in your home regularly. You want your humidity levels to sit between 40 and 50%. The best solution for this is to get an indoor dehumidifier.
2. Get Your Heat & AC Regularly Checked
Have your heating and cooling system regularly checked. Doing so will guarantee that the system is in optimal condition and that there is good air circulation throughout your home. It will also help to keep the air ducts clean and prevent any buildup that can beget mildew spores.
3. Do Not Wait to Repair Small Leaks/Problems
If you notice any leaks in your home, in the kitchen or the bathroom or anywhere else, have them repaired immediately. What starts as a small drip from your garbage disposal under the sink could eventually lead to mildew developing under your sink and if left unattended this could manifest in the form of more serious mold growth.
4. Get Rid of Standing Water Immediately
Also, make sure that you clean up any standing water. Always turn on the fans in your kitchen or your bathroom when you are showering or cooking. If you have an indoor laundry room that doesn't necessarily pipe the hot air outside, turn on a fan.
You want to keep your home dry and moisture free. If you notice water has spilled on the counter, clean it up and don't just wait for it to evaporate and leave moisture in the air. If any material in your home gets damp, dry it immediately. Fabric or rugs can be taken outside and put in the sun to dry before they are brought back into the house.
5. Monitor Indoor Plants Closely
Anyone with indoor plants needs to remove mildew spores from them as soon as possible. If you leave plants inside your home with mildew spots on the leaves or the soil it could contaminate the air you are breathing and spread.
Even if you have an outdoor garden, if you notice mildew growth on one of your cucumber plants, get rid of that plant before the mildew has a chance to spread. You don't want to harvest recently grown tomatoes, forget to wash one of them, and take a bite without realizing that the mildew has already jumped from one plant to the tomato plant.
Why work with a professional to remove mildew?
While it is simple to wipe away mildew growth on hard surfaces in your home, you should still work with a mildew removal professional early on. The reason being, what you might see as mildew my only be a part of the problem.
If your bathroom has mildew growth on the shower tiles, it could be nothing more than mildew growth. But it could also be a sign of an internal leak and more serious mold growth behind the walls or in the floors. If you have children in the home or you suffer from a pre-existing respiratory condition, cleaning these contaminants yourself could cause harmful ramifications.
Moreover, hiring a professional gives you the peace of mind that your home will be thoroughly inspected and tested. If any other mold problems are underlying they will be uncovered. All of the affected areas will be noted, and if you so choose properly cleaned by professionals with any necessary preventative measures into place.
At Silver Environmental, we have over 20 years of experience helping people in the Greater Boston Area remove mold and mildew from their homes - and keep it out. We offer free consultations to anyone who fears they have a mold or mildew problem. It is best to be sure right away if this is something that can affect your home and your family. Don’t wait, give us a call today to schedule an appointment.