Water damage is already a big problem by itself. Regardless of the source, be it sewer backup, floodwater, or from an overflow, your home,
Water is the source of all life and therein lies the problem. Our beloved H2O also promotes the growth of microscopic creatures, including molds and bacteria. Just like how a wet armpit can cause body odor because of bacteria, any excess moisture in your home can lead to mold growth.
How long does it take for mold to grow? The answer to this question may help you avoid all the problems with molds in your home. Continue reading this article for the answer.
How Dangerous Are Molds?
After your house receives water damage, mold growth will introduce more complications. Molds destroy the material they grow on. The result is costlier and longer renovations. Mold damage can cost more than half a trillion dollars per year worldwide.
But that’s not the only problem. Molds have the potential to cause serious health problems. An otherwise healthy person may experience eye, skin, nose, and throat irritation. Some can have allergic reactions such as sneezing, asthma, and dermatitis. Allergens from molds can also cause anaphylactic shock to some very sensitive individuals.
Some species of mold, such as the black mold or
What Does Mold Need to Grow?
It’s not sugar, spice, and everything nice. But the ingredients are very simple. They just need a little bit of water, nutrition, and the right temperature.
For molds’ food, your house might as well be a gingerbread house. They need organic substances for nutrition and your home has plenty. These include wood, insulation materials, and drywall.
Parts of your house (such as walls and vents) will have the ideal temperature for mold growth (around 70F or 20C). So just add water and ta
How Long Does It Take for Mold to Grow?
Under normal conditions, spores can form colonies and be identified under the microscope within a week. However, it will take two weeks or more to become visible on untreated drywall according to experiments by Krause. Some of the early colonizers detected are Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Acremonium.
The time will vary of course depending on several factors. Different types of molds will have different rates of growth. You also need to consider the availability and amount of ingredients needed for mold development.
Under perfect conditions, molds will start growing within 24 to 48 hours.
And once they attach to a surface, they can spread in a few hours. They will continue feeding off adjacent areas. They will also start to release their spores, affecting more and more areas of your home.
How Do You Get Ahead of Molds?
It is important to recognize the problem with molds early. As you learned the answer to ‘how long does it take for mold to grow’, you know that you cannot wait. At the onset of water damage, you need an immediate solution to drying out your home.
In most cases, you’ll want the services of experts and professionals in water damage restoration. Click here to learn what restoration services are available in your state.