Mildew removal in Ontonagon, MI for the film that keeps coming back

What mildew is

Mildew is the everyday name for mold growth in its early, surface stage. It usually appears as a flat gray, white or black film on damp surfaces, and it favors places that stay humid without ever getting soaked: shower grout and caulk, bathroom ceilings, window sills where condensation forms, the back walls of closets on exterior walls, and stored fabrics and leather. In Ontonagon, MI homes, it is one of the most common reasons people call us.

Because it grows on the surface rather than deep in a material, mildew is often easier to clean than established mold. That is also why it returns so reliably. The surface is clean, but the humidity that grew it is unchanged.

Humidity is the real subject

The EPA recommends keeping indoor relative humidity below 60 percent, and ideally between 30 and 50 percent, to limit mold growth. Bathrooms regularly exceed that during and after showers. Closets on exterior walls can run damp because air barely moves inside them. Window glass and frames collect condensation when warm indoor air meets a cold surface.

Our technician takes humidity readings in the affected rooms and checks the exhaust fan. A fan that is too small, that vents into the attic instead of outdoors, or that is switched off right after a shower will not clear the moisture. We note what we find so the correction can be made by you or the right contractor.

How we clean mildew

Hard surfaces such as tile, glass and painted trim are cleaned with a detergent solution and scrubbed with brushes suited to the finish, then rinsed and dried. Stained or shrinking caulk is cut out and replaced after the joint is cleaned and dried, because mildew often grows underneath old sealant. Grout is scrubbed and, once dry, can be sealed. Painted ceilings with mildew are cleaned and allowed to dry before any repainting, and a mildew resistant bathroom paint can be applied if you choose.

Fabrics, curtains and stored clothing can often be laundered or professionally cleaned. Items with heavy staining or a persistent musty smell may not recover fully, and we tell you honestly when that is the case.

When it is more than mildew

If the film returns within days of cleaning, if paint is blistering, or if drywall feels soft, the problem may be a leak rather than humidity. In that case we check behind the surface with a moisture meter and, if growth has entered the wall, the job moves to our Mold Removal service.