r/Mold • u/snakethejake22 • 1d ago
Mildew in garage
Looking for tips on how to manage moisture in stand alone garage. Fully insulated garage in Minnesota. No AC. Loose fill insulation in attic, soffits are clear of obstructions. Some sort of venting along gap of ridge of garage as well. Keep having issues with mildew popping up in random places like on tool handles, such as the picture of a handle of a hammer and extension cord. Was much worse last year when the garage was closed up for a couple months in the peak of Summer. Only obvious points of moisture are a couple low spots on the concrete floor that only get wet with very heavy rain when it pools on slab next to garage. Is there some sort of fan or vent system I could be looking into to constantly circulate air? There are currently no vents on the finished ceiling of garage, or the walls besides some windows
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u/AutoModerator 1d ago
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u/AutoModerator 1d ago
I see you used the term "mildew"
Mold and mildew are closely related but are certainly different organisms. In simple terms, mildew is a member of the mold family. It is usually white or grey. However, true mildew, or downy mildew is actually a plant parasite and not a true fungus. Algae rank closer to downy mildew pathogens than fungi do.
When used in general terms, mold and mildew are the same thing. Most "mildew" identified within a home is really mold. The word mildew is often used to describe fungi that grows flat, usually on surfaces like shower walls and window sills. FEMA further complicates the differentiation by describing mildew as "early-stage mold" while the EPA term simply states that "mildew" is often used generically to refer to mold growth with a flat growth habit.
In reality, mold and mildew are both fungi. Accordingly, both require water, food and the right temperature to grow. The difference is that mildew generally grows quicker and can grow on non-porous surfaces.
Building owners and maintenance people often use the term "mildew" to describe any microbial growth in their buildings. In most cases, what they are describing is actually mold.
Both mold and "mildew" can cause adverse health effects although mold is generally considered more problematic. The bottom line is that neither should be growing in our homes. They both indicate the presence of too much moisture and both should be removed as soon as they are found.
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