When Does Water Damage Cause Mold?

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growth is a nasty business!

Whenever you have a water loss, it is a nerve-racking experience. You have to worry about cleaning up the water, drying out what's affected, and possible mold growth. Sometimes you can take care of these things on your own, other times a professional company, like SERVPRO®, needs to come in and assess and then clean it. With any water loss, mold should be a worry, but when does water actually cause mold growth?

Different types of water damage that can cause mold growth are:

• Sewage back-up from flooding in the area
• Plumbing or roof leaks
• Damp basement or crawl space
• Overflows from sinks for bathtub
• High humidity: steam cooking, dryer vents, humidifiers
• Any type of stagnant water in your home

Mold will begin to grow 24-48 hours after the initial water damage. If you discover the source of damage, stop it quickly, and clean up the mess, you likely don't have to worry about mold. If the water damage isn't found within a few days, mold is going to become a concern.

If the water is not dried out within that time window, a professional may apply antimicrobial products to prevent growth. This is why you should contact a professional no later than 48 hours after the initial damage if there is still moisture present.

The best way to prevent mold growth from water damage is to clean up the water and dry out the area as fast as possible. If you aren't sure whether or not you can dry it out on your own, contact SERVPRO of Bismarck and we can advise you on the next steps to take to prevent further damage to your home.