How Fast Does Mold Grow After a Water Leak?
Most homeowners know only too well what unwanted moisture can do to their house’s structure. This is even worse if the moisture is the result of significant water leakage. Besides the stress of having to deal with the mess of water damage, a water leak can quickly become a health hazard because it can provide a conducive atmosphere for mold growth. This is not something you want to deal with. Getting professional water damage repair from Surepaint is one way of effectively dealing with water leakage. Such professional assistance ensures that the water damage is contained, thereby preventing further damage.
Homeowners have every reason to be wary of water damage. In addition to the health concerns resulting from mold proliferation, water leakage can cause significant damage to your house flooring and other structures.
This can result in a large repair or replacement bill. In extreme cases, a whole section of the house may have to be torn down for complete remodeling.
As such, it behooves every property owner to know about the progress of water damage and how it can impact their property.
Progress of Mold Proliferation After a Water Leak
On average, you can expect to see mold growth in any area of water leakage within 24 to 48 hours. However, don’t expect to see the mold colonies with your naked eye at this point. Like all fungi, molds need spores—minute, dust-like particles—to proliferate. Within 24 hours, expect to have the mold spores colonize the area of the house experiencing water leakage or intense humidity. However, without prior knowledge of what a water leak can do, most homeowners may not realize the gravity of the situation. They usually ignore and water leak and simply clean it up, believing that they’ve taken care of the problem. It’s only when they begin to see mold growth, usually between 18 and 21 days later, that they fully realize the harm caused.
Of course, several factors greatly accelerate and contribute to mold growth. For example, ideal temperatures for human comfort are in the range of 25 to 28 degrees Celsius. This also happens to be the temperature range for ideal mold growth. Different types of molds may proliferate at different rates.
The most prone surfaces for mold colonization are basements, wooden surfaces, and things like couches, among others. When all these factors are present, along with a water leak, you can expect to see significant mold colonize in as little as a few hours if remedial measures are not instituted.
For mold species that produce significant amounts of spores, mold can spread rapidly, colonizing other parts of the house farther away from the point of water leakage.
Do Water Leaks Always Result in Mold Growth?
It’s prudent to assume that every water leak will result in mold growth. This ensures that you don’t take any water leaks lightly. While this is not always the case, every water leak significantly increases the chances of mold developing on that surface. Admittedly, several factors will determine this. For instance, if the water leak was cleaned up quickly, it’s likely that further damage was not incurred. The surface on which the water leak is also a crucial factor. If your house has wooden floors that take up water quickly, then swift mopping may not be enough.
It’s always advisable to clean every surface affected by a water leak. This cleaning should be thorough. Ensure that the surface is well-dried in the shortest time possible. Unless you have experience dealing with water leaks, it’s best to call in the professionals. This is because you may have unknowingly done a poor job of cleaning up the water.
Preventing Mold Infestation After a Water Leak
Sometimes, all the caution in the world cannot avoid water leaks. This means that there is always the risk of mold infestation. However, you can deal with it better if you take some precautions and remain vigilant.
Always check out any suspected water leaks. If there is a water leak, clean it up thoroughly as quickly as possible. Water damage in walls may be harder to detect without much experience. If necessary, call in professionals to come to check it out.
It’s always best to remove water-damaged materials before any cleanup efforts. This ensures that residual moisture doesn’t creep back in and undo all your cleaning efforts. Endeavor to use a dehumidifier for thorough drying.
All in all, the faster you can clean up any water leakage, the better the chance of avoiding mold infestations.
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How Fast Does Mold Grow After a Water Leak?
