Since mildew has been a common problem to homeowners, you are probably thinking, “how fast does mildew grow?” Well, read through to answer your question and get to know other information about this type of fungus.
What Is Mildew?
When thinking about mildew, the first thing that typically comes to mind is its smell. Mildew has that unique, musty smell that makes it so unappealing.
Aside from that, it also gives the room an insidious and sinister atmosphere. Mildew has always been viewed as an idea of the lack of proper maintenance or simply being unclean.
However, mildew is actually a benign and simple problem at home if dealt with properly. In contrast to mold, it does not penetrate on surfaces and rarely causes health issues from exposure.
Mildew is relatively easier to clean and quite simple to handle and prevent. Understanding this fungal type makes it more possible to prevent it from damaging our home.
What does mildew look like?
You can usually find mildew in horticultural or agricultural settings. It affects plants and other agricultural products.
Despite this, mildew is more commonly associated with causing damage and foul odor in the areas within a home. It sometimes makes it hard to distinguish it from mold, so here’s how mildew looks like.
- Mildew usually has the color of white, yellow, or gray – In areas of high humidity and moisture, you will spot spores with white, yellow, or gray color that is actually mildew.
- Mildew appears light at first, then turns dark – Unlike mold, which usually appears in dark colors such as green and black, mildew stays light until it starts to grow. As it spreads, its color turns dark.
- Mildew can either be powdery or downy – Mildew resembles almost a dusty or powdery texture on a surface as it starts to appear. However, as it begins to spread, the patches will appear in multiple parts of the surface, which gives a ‘blotchy’ or downy look.
Take a look at this article on what is downy mildew for more detailed information on downy mildew. You can also read this guide on how long does powdery mold spores live because you know you can never get too much when it comes to learning.
How fast can mildew grow?
Now, for the highlight of this article, we are going to talk about how long it takes for mildew to start growing.
There are no specific hours or days to tell how fast mildew grows. It will depend on the condition of the environment.
Mildew has specific requirements to develop. It needs moisture and a particular range of temperature, humidity, or warmth.
The best place for mildew to grow is a damp, dark, and warm area where there is no good airflow. Of course, it also needs to feed on organic materials like accumulated dirt.
Mildew thrives in a temperature range of 77 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit and 62- 93% relative humidity. Most commonly, mildew will start growing in a span of 24 to 48 hours.
However, if all conditions are met, the damage will most probably start to develop faster and spread in a shorter amount of time.
How does mildew impact our health?
Just like mold, mildew can also cause health issues, but they are less severe. The most damaging aspect of mildew is the spores, so inhaling them will take a toll on your health.
These spores are easy to inhale, so once it happens, they will cause problems, especially to those with existing health issues. The most common symptoms of inhaling mildew spores include running nose, sneezing, throat irritation, and headaches.
When you come into direct contact with mildew, it can also trigger allergic reactions. It is why it is best to protect yourself by wearing gloves and a mask when dealing with it.
Children of young age and the elderly are the most prone to the health impact of mildew. It is very important to keep them away from it as much as possible.
How to prevent mildew?
Since mildew spreads through spores, it is almost inevitable to have it inside your home. The most brilliant way to deal with it is to not provide a sustainable environment for it to grow.
As much as possible, prevent moisture from building up in your home. Maintain good air circulation, clean spills, and repair leaks as immediately as possible.
Make it a habit to do regular inspections and cleaning. It will prevent possible causes of mildew and will also make your area more pleasant to live in.
Conclusion
Although mildew is less of a threat than mold, they flourish in the same conditions. It is essential to deal with them immediately if you ever get to encounter them.
Knowing how fast does mildew grow takes you one step closer to effectively dealing with it. We are hoping that the information we shared will give you the urgency to take action to remove and prevent mildew in all ways possible.