Mold is always present everywhere. They’re mostly airborne and innocuous, but when there’s a wet surface with the right growth conditions, the dangerous strains can settle in to colonize and reproduce. All they need is just a few hours on the affected area and they’re in.
Taking care of water leak immediately helps prevents water issues, mold growth and accompanying health issues. That mildew odor that developed overnight from under your kitchen sink tells you how fast mold can grow. You could perceive the stench faster than the physical mold growth because it’s airborne and spreads faster. The colony, though, could also be building up quite quickly in a hidden place that’s difficult to detect. By the time it’s visible to the naked eye, it might have already spread significantly inside the wall or under coverings.
Within a few days, it could spread across a significant surface area, pumping mounting quantities of toxins into the air. The health risks become more serious the longer the mold continues to build unchecked.
But you can prevent mold spores from getting a foothold in your home by fixing water damage immediately you notice it.
This guide will help you adopt an effective timeline for dealing with moisture issues and mold infestation.
Will a One-Time Water Leak Cause Mold?
Mold growth is usually a product of moisture build up and water damage – pipe leaks, sink leaks, leaky roofs, flooding, or foundation water. Once a surface is dampened, it begins attracting mold spores, and within 24–48 hours, a mold colony starts to form.
Mold grows at around 1 square foot per day. A mold colony can quickly spread several square feet across multiple rooms within days. Oftentimes, especially in the case of hidden water damage, it becomes noticeable only after it has spread in wet areas unabated for weeks on end.
Mold exposure becomes dangerous to your health the moment it starts to build as it releases toxins and airborne mold spores in the air; however, it may not cause immediate health problems when it’s just a couple feet wide. But when it builds out several feet, the danger becomes more potent and widespread. The air around the house becomes intoxicated with significant levels of allergens and airborne spores. These risks may become present after day two of the infestation.
Some warning signs of mold intoxication in the body include sneezing, skin irritation, skin rashes, allergic responses like hay fever and red eyes, compromised immune systems, etc. Over the long run, more serious health issues and permanent damage may emerge, including chronic respiratory conditions and mental health issues.Homes are usually designed to keep water well contained and away from most parts of the building. Moisture issues can occur from a variety of sources, from visible to hidden – leaky roof, burst pipes from frozen water pressure, rainstorms, flooding, and foundation water. But whenever it occurs, water intrusion can lead to serious problems, from structural damage to material degradation, flooded home, damaged belongings, and mold and pest infestation.
Mold usually accompanies any unchecked water leak especially if it happens over a warm, solid surface that is an ideal environment for mold growth. In addition to moisture and warmth, molds need a solid surface to grow on. Surfaces that can quickly be covered in mold growth once they become wet include ceilings, drywall, concrete decking under bathroom floors, wooden structures, rug carpets, etc.
As they latch on to a surface, they feed off of any organic matter on the surface, leaving a trail of damage. Over time, this could seriously compromise the structural integrity of the house. The growing presence of mold spores in a home can be detrimental to health, causing short-term health problems like allergic reactions, sneezing, skin irritation, migraines, and asthmatic episodes, and over the long run, serious chronic problems like respiratory problems and mental health issues.
How Long Does it Take for a Leak to Cause Mold?
Sometimes, mold begins to grow on a surface within just a few hours following a leak. If you’re wondering how fast does mold grow, the speed depends on certain factors. In many cases, it usually takes about 24 – 48 hours for the noticeable signs to emerge – mildew odor starting to ooze out, discoloration, etc. Sometimes it could take weeks after the water intrusion for mold growth to become noticeable with a sharp increase in size.
Even worse, once the mold takes root, it begins multiplying and releasing thousands of airborne spores that spread to other parts of the house, possibly colonizing any other surface that’s conducive enough. Hence, the danger may be increasing with every passing minute.
Some of the most important factors affecting mold growth include:
· The extent of the water intrusion
· Temperature and humidity levels
· Amount of mold spores already present in the home
· The species of mold
· The type of surface affected
How Do You Prevent Mold after a Water Leak?
The EPA and the CDC recommends addressing water leaks and drying the affected surface within 24 – 48 hours. That’s as much time as you have before mold grows significantly.
Fix the leak
Sometimes, the water leak could be obvious and minor – something you can handle on your own. But in most cases of hidden water intrusion, you may have to call in professionals who’ll use sophisticated tools and techniques to probe the water intrusion.
Clean and dry the affected area
Once you’ve traced out and plugged the source of the water leak, clean and dry the affected surfaces immediately. In fact, you shouldn’t allow the affected areas to remain wet for 24 hours after water intrusion. Lay open the affected areas and take out affected items that are removable – rugs, drywall, wooden shelves, stands, waterlogged furniture, appliances, etc. – to clean, dry, and possibly repair any damages.
Increase airflow
Opening doors and windows and turning on the vents help provide airflow and replace the damp air in the room with cool, fresh air.
Use a dehumidifier, vacuum, or carpet cleaner
After cleaning all the excess water from the wet patch, you need to get down to moisture trapped under the surfaces and hard-to-reach places. Dehumidifiers, vacuums, and carpet cleaners can help you achieve this deep drying.
Note also that moisture can be trapped behind walls and floorings long after fixing and cleaning after water intrusion. Moisture that occurs inside surfaces are usually left unnoticed, providing a secret breeding ground for mold to grow undetected.
Check your insurance coverage
Most homeowners insurances cover water damage, so if any part of your home or belongings has been damaged by the water leak, check to see if your home insurance can help pay for it.
When to Call in the Professionals
As we’ve said earlier, the best response for mold growth is an early response. If you’re able to spot water damage and fix it immediately, you’ll most likely keep mold problems at bay in your home. Always be on the lookout for signs of water damage in places that usually hold water – your shower, bathroom faucets, kitchen sink, ceiling, etc.
Foundation water, storm damage, and flooding are also another major source of water damage and mold growth. Check for cracks on your foundation and basement walls – the usual entry point for underground water, and fix them immediately.
Use mold prevention measures like waterproofing your basement and grading your foundation to keep underground water out of your home. Grading work ensures that water flows out from your foundation at all times, and foundation waterproofing ensures that water remains locked out of your home even when it’s trapped underground, preserving your foundation and brickwork from water damage.
Mold usually takes hours to days after a leak to take root. But you can deny it the chance by intervening quickly after noticing water intrusion. By cleaning out and drying the affected surface just hours after a leak, you would have prevented significant structural damages, damage to your belonging, and the growth and spread of mold and its accompanying health issues.
Moisture Master Pros LLC is your go-to service provider for mold removal and remediation service. We use cutting-edge mold testing tools and techniques to trace out moisture intrusion and mold growth and to eliminate them, minimizing the inconvenience and health risks you may face.
Reach out to us today and let’s help fight water intrusion and mold build up in your home.
