How fast does mold grow after a water leak?

We all are aware that unnecessary damp conditions in our home can lead to the problem of mold growth. What we don’t realize is how important it is to act fast and repair the water damage urgently. It will only be a matter of days till mold takes over your home and destroys every surface it grows on.

Generally, mold can grow significantly within 24 to 48 hours after water damage. Mold can take hold of your home and grow rapidly within 12 days if it has the ideal conditions it needs to thrive. If the water has been lying there for more than a couple of days, then there are higher chances of mold growth developing rapidly in that area.

The chance for mold spores to spread from one area to another also increases with time. These microorganisms can quickly fill the air and spread throughout your home, affecting more and more areas and endangering your health with every passing hour. Mold spores that start to colonize on surfaces within 24 hours become visible in about 18 to 21 days of the flooding. But that happens if nothing has been done to dry the water and restore the affected surfaces.

Any water leak carries the risk of mold growth, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that mold growth is certain. The chance of mold depends on many factors, such as the severity of water damage, how quickly it was cleaned up and dried, and the extent of surfaces affected. After a water leak, you should always remove any excess water or moisture as quickly as possible. Any affected surfaces should be thoroughly dried within 24 hours.

Proper moisture control is the key to preventing unwanted mold growth from damaging your home and your health. It’s essential to deal with water and moisture issues as soon as you have a flooding incident. The faster the cleanup and drying takes place, the smaller the chances of major mold growth. If your home has recently suffered any water damage, you should take steps to prevent mold from growing.