how fast does mold grow after a water leak?The worst has happened.

A water main has broken, it’s flooded a part of your wall or ceiling and leaked, and you’re now dealing with the fallout of a flooded home.

You’ve got books you need to lay open all over the place, waterlogged furniture that you’re not sure if it needs replacing, and a weird, mildew odor starting to smell up the place.

And that should be your first indicator that something else is growing.

Mold and mildew are highly dangerous fungi that grow in damp environments, and should never be allowed to thrive. When breathed in, mold and mildew can cause all sorts of health issues in humans and animals, ranging mild to severe.

Mold and mildew can grow at rapid rates, depending on the conditions of humidity and temperature in your home. But generally, it can take 24 to 48 hours for mold to begin to grow in your home. It may take a week or so to become visible, but once it takes root into a porous and wet surface, it begins to develop and spread quite rapidly.

How Long Does it Take for Mold to Spread?

Once the mold begins to grow, it can begin to spread in as little as a few hours. Once rooted, mold begins to fill the air with thousands of spores that will spread and land on more and more surfaces with each passing minute. As it spreads to more surfaces, the mold has more areas to latch onto and grow at rapid rates. The longer you wait to clean up mold upon discovery, the more potential danger you will be in.

How Can I Prevent Mold from Growing and Spreading?

On average, you can expect to see mold growth following a leak between 48-72 hours. This means that your window for prevention between the time of the leak and the growth of mold is very small.

Of course, it’s not always immediately obvious that you even have a leak. If you experience a sudden drop in water pressure, a sharp increase in your water bill, or a wet patch where there just shouldn’t be one, it could be worth calling in a local water leak detection company.

Once you have identified and tracked down the leak, the best method for preventing mold and mildew from developing is to dry all affected areas as much and as thoroughly as possible.

This doesn’t just mean drying up the spots on the floor that are visible. It also means getting into any nook, cranny, and crack that water may have seeped into, and drying it up.

Opening doors and windows may help dry larger areas, but it won’t provide airflow to those hard-to-reach places.

Once all the excess water has been dried as much as possible, a vacuum or carpet cleaner can be used to try and suck up water from hard-to-reach places. Shoving towels between the crevice of a carpet and a wall is another method that can be useful.

Most homeowners insurances will cover water damage that occurs inside the home from plumbing and moisture issues. Check in with your insurance coverage to see if you have any sort of assistance when it comes to leaks and floods. If the flood is too big for you to handle, you may need to call in a professional to help you properly clear your home from water damage. If you’re located in cities like Manteca, Lathrop, or Modesto, be sure to call Simpson Plumbing for professional help today.