Water damage is always a source of headache for most homeowners especially when mold problems start to be an issue. Not being able to prevent mold growth could make matters worse. It produces spores that can be mixed in the air and creates a musty smell that can spread in your home. 

Be it from flooding, a burst pipe, or any type of water leak,  it is always a potential property and health hazard. But whatever the source is, knowing the rate of how mold develops will surely help you to act quickly. 

So how long does it take for mold to grow? Read the full article to find out! 

How to Prevent Mold Growth After Water Damage

Mold can start to develop even if the amount of water damage is not significant. Any amount of excess moisture in a specific area of your home is enough to keep the right conditions for the growth of mold. Along with organic “food” sources, mold can grow fast and anywhere. Just give it a couple of days and boom!——you have a big problem.

Nevertheless, there are several various ways in which we can prevent mold growth. First and foremost, get rid of the moisture source before the fungus has time to develop and start growing. Also, seek professional help from a trusted water damage restoration company to ease your burden from water and mold damage issues.

How long does it take for mold to grow? 

• Mold Can Grow and Spread Fast

An ideal condition for any type of mold to germinate and grow is the presence of excess moisture and the organic materials to feed on. In as little as a few hours, mold can spread easily.  

If part of your home is exposed to water and infected, mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours. Then, the mold spores will start to colonize in 3 to 12 days. After that, they will start to appear and become visible after 18 to 21 days. 

The longer you wait, the higher the chance for mold spores to spread into the air easily and affect other areas each hour. It’s more likely that you’ll face the potential danger of damaging your home’s entire structure and your health as well.

Knowing the time required for mold to grow and how fast the household items will be affected is important. This way, you will be able to act right away and prevent mold growth. Moreover, the better way to stop and prevent mold growth completely especially after water damage is to call for professional water damage restoration services. It should be done within the first 48 hours of the damage. 

Mold Growth Prevention After Water Damage

The key to inhibiting home mold to grow is getting rid of moisture in your home within the estimated time frame of mold growth. You will also need to hire a professional to eliminate mold even in the hidden areas of your home. Here’s what you can do to prevent mold growth on your property.

1. Removing Excess Water/Moisture to Prevent Mold Growth

Remove all the visible moisture you can by doing the following possible methods:

• Use buckets to get rid of large puddles of water.
• Soak up water by using towels/absorbent cloths. 
• Push the water out by using a broom.

2. Dry Affected and Surrounding Areas to Prevent Mold Growth

It’s important to remove any amount of moisture not only on visible areas but hidden areas as well. Since mold can and will still grow. You can use fans to keep the air dry and moving and dehumidifiers to quickly dry and get rid of moisture as well. In addition, space heaters are also useful to dry and heat up carpets, drywall, and furniture.

3. Disinfect the area to Prevent Mold Growth

Regularly check the areas prone to mold growth (such as the bathroom, laundry, kitchen sink, etc) for musty odors and disinfect often with a bleach solution, vinegar, or a commercial disinfectant. 

Contact Superior Restoration Today!

Remember that mold can cause several health problems, thus taking immediate actions is necessary. When your home is affected by mold growth, particularly after water exposure, reach out to professional mold remediation/mold removal services to bring your home back to a safe and clean shape. We use advanced methods and tools for mold inspection and to stop mold growth from spreading.

Please contact us today and our team will help and assist you 24/7. Water Damage Riverside will cover all of your water damage and mold issues.