With water damage claims on the rise, we hear a lot of talk these days about the dangers of mold.  Within 24 to 48 hours of water damage, mildew and mold can start growing on wood products, tiles, drywall, carpets, fabrics and other organic materials.  Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the problem.  So what is the difference between mold and mildew?  Plain and simple, mildew and mold are both fungi. Fungi can live in many different types of environments such as in soil, on vegetation, and on surfaces exposed to moist conditions like a wall or ceiling after flood damage. Fungi reproduce by spores and can spread quickly. What is Mildew?  Mildew is mold in its early stage and often the term is used interchangeably with the word mold. That whitish-gray, powdery substance sometimes seen on the leaves of a plant is mildew. Mildew is a surface fungi that grows on organic material li...