How Quickly Does Mold Grow After Water Damage?

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage can cause serious issues in your home or your business, one of which is creating the perfect environment for mold growth. Experiencing water damage and mold growth within your home can pose hazards to your health, and we can’t emphasize the importance of taking care of water damage as soon as possible to avoid the dangers that mold brings in mere hours after an incident occurs.

Yes, you read that right. After water damage takes place, mold can start growing within 24-48 hours after various elements of your home like your carpet, your drywall, and your furniture experience water exposure. As the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) states, mold and mildew start growing as early as a day after water damage occurs and will continue to grow indefinitely until the moisture and water are removed from the area. Since mold is a fungus, it thrives in moist environments and reproduces by quickly generating spores, which are tiny, lightweight seeds, that travel through the air and digest materials that are organic like ceiling tiles, drywall, fabrics, plants, and more. 

Have you identified mold in your home? First things first, figure out where the source of moisture is coming from and get that addressed. However, it’s not quite enough to just eliminate moisture. The existing water damage must be restored and the mold and mildew that has already grown need to be completely removed.

Although you can gear up with protective gloves, masks, and eye protection to attempt to remove the mold yourself, your safest bet is always going to be contacting local mold remediation professionals.

For professional help dealing with the presence of mold in your home or your business, contact SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville at (615) 242-9391. Not only do we have highly trained mold remediation technicians on staff, but we also are available 24/7 to respond to any emergencies that present themselves. Make it a point to take care of water damage as soon as possible and keep your property safe and mold-free! This franchise is independently owned and operated.