People often confuse mold and mildew as they are both fungi that live and thrive in warm, moist environments. As South Florida is a warm, moist environment, it’s essential to understand the difference between the two, the ample problems both can cause, and how our services can benefit your insurance claims against the damages.
Mold Vs. Mildew
Many home repair experts commonly refer to mildew as the preliminary stages of mold but several aspects set the two apart.
One of the easiest ways to tell the difference between the two is by how they look. Mold usually has a green or black color, can be found on the underside of anything that has gotten wet, and will typically be damp or slimy. Mildew, on the other hand, is usually white, yellow, or gray, grows on the surface of moist areas, and typically has a powdery or fluffy look.
While both grow most rapidly in warm, moist areas, each has specific areas where they will grow more quickly. In simple terms, mildew is the early stage of mold. Mildew thrives where moisture levels are high, such as windowsills, shower walls, and cellars. Untreated mildew can quickly turn into mold. Mold thrives in places with organic matter and is common in clothing, paper, ceilings, walls, and floors where it is difficult to control moisture.
Though mildew potentially raises fewer health risks than mold, time is of the essence when it comes to thoroughly cleaning it up. While you may be able to salvage clothing or tablecloths that have damage, it still poses a prominent danger your insurance company may not cover.
At Atlantic Coast Public Adjusters, we can decipher exactly what your policy covers and does not cover when it comes to mold and mildew claims. We also work closely with indoor air mold and mildew experts to provide evidence for your claim. Untreated mold and mildew can also lead to other problems such as mites and other bacteria and chemicals.
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Skin rash
- Watery eyes
With the many dangerous effects mold and mildew exposure can have on your body, it is crucial that you never try to remove the damage yourself. You should always call a professional to prevent spreading the mold or mildew.
Because of our extreme storm seasons, mold and mildew damage is quite common in South Florida. Of course, there are other ways your house can harm your homes, such as leaky pipes or toilets. Because there are so many factors to work through when filing a mold and mildew claim, many people find it easier to higher an expert adjuster to put together a more substantial claim in order to get you the money you deserve!
Contacting Atlantic Coast Public Adjusters first results in better settlements sooner so you can remove mold and mildew before it damages your home and causes harm to your body. As always, we don’t get paid until you do! If you think your home is suffering from mold or mildew, do not hesitate and call us today at 1-877-561-2524!