How Quickly Can Mold Spread After Water Damage?

5/12/2020 (Permalink)

If you have experienced a water damage event, one of the first concerns you may have is whether you may suffer from a mold infestation. How quickly can mold spread after water damage?

If the damage happened suddenly you can get the issue cleaned up quickly - within a few days or so - you may not have a mold growth problem, but this is only probably if the area is dried thoroughly and quickly. If you undergo a plumbing flood or a water leak that has gone undetected for a while, chances are good that mold is going to be present.  

You will want to contact a mold remediation specialist if this is the case. They know that mold spores are everywhere, and under the right conditions, they will move right in and begin to grow within 24-48 hours of a flooding situation. They may not be visible right away, either. Within just a few hours, the spores can spread throughout your premises, ready to settle. 

One way to find out for sure if you have hidden plumbing leaks is a moisture meter that measures moisture in common residential construction materials. Anything over 15% tells you that you need a water cleanup crew from a qualified restoration company.

This is why all water damage restoration companies will tell you that the faster water damage is taken care of, the less likely it will be that you have to deal with mold. One of the main concerns the experts take into consideration is making sure the damaged area is dried completely to reduce the risk that mold can take hold at all. 

Here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville, we maintain the specialized training and equipment needed to remediate a mold infestation wherever it occurs. Once mold establishes a colony it can never be totally removed, so the very best practice is going to be to ensure that the conditions mold enjoys are not present. If you need help in the prevention of mold, or if you now need remediation services, we are here to help.